Pine Island, MN vs Preston, MN

The cost of living difference between Pine Island, MN and Preston, MN is dramatic. Preston is 33.5% cheaper than Pine Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Pine Island has a cost index of 88 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 Pine Island is $959/month compared to $649/month in Preston — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Preston is more affordable at $169,600 median vs $324,700.

Median household income in Pine Island is $91,612 compared to $60,438 in Preston (+51.6%). While Pine Island is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Pine Island spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 12.9% in Preston.

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