La Joya, TX vs Preston, TX

The cost of living difference between La Joya, TX and Preston, TX is dramatic. La Joya is 36.7% cheaper than Preston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. La Joya has a cost index of 63 while Preston sits at 99, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in La Joya is $781/month compared to $1,704/month in Preston — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: La Joya is more affordable at $109,600 median vs $184,600.

Median household income in La Joya is $50,652 compared to $64,803 in Preston (-21.8%). The higher salaries in Preston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of La Joya spend roughly 18.5% of their income on rent, less than the 31.6% in Preston. The La Joya ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, La Joya is notably warmer with an average of 77.4°F compared to 65°F in Preston. Preston receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 22.2" in La Joya.