Montrose, MN vs Preston, MN

The cost of living difference between Montrose, MN and Preston, MN is dramatic. Preston is 47.7% cheaper than Montrose, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Montrose has a cost index of 98 while Preston sits at 66, 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 Montrose is $1,313/month compared to $649/month in Preston — a 102% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Preston is more affordable at $169,600 median vs $260,100.

Median household income in Montrose is $98,832 compared to $60,438 in Preston (+63.5%). While Montrose is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Montrose spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, more than the 12.9% in Preston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.7°F vs 44.8°F). Preston receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 30.6" in Montrose.