Menlo, IA vs Preston, IA

Preston is moderately more affordable than Menlo, with a 9.4% lower cost of living index. Menlo scores 74 compared to 68 for Preston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Menlo can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Menlo is $1,078/month compared to $789/month in Preston — a 37% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Preston has cheaper rent, Menlo actually has lower median home values ($107,100 vs $144,600).

Median household income in Menlo is $78,333 compared to $82,950 in Preston (-5.6%). Preston offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Menlo spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 11.4% in Preston.

Climate-wise, Menlo is notably warmer with an average of 50.9°F compared to 47.2°F in Preston. Preston receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 36.6" in Menlo.