Mountain Home AFB, ID vs Preston, ID

The cost of living difference between Mountain Home AFB, ID and Preston, ID is dramatic. Preston is 41% cheaper than Mountain Home AFB, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mountain Home AFB has a cost index of 113 while Preston sits at 80, 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.

Renters will find that Mountain Home AFB has a median rent of $1,821/month while Preston comes in at $794/month, a 129% difference.

Median household income in Mountain Home AFB is $72,411 compared to $55,625 in Preston (+30.2%). The higher salaries in Mountain Home AFB partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Mountain Home AFB spend roughly 30.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Preston. The Preston ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.