Preston, IA vs Salem, IA

Salem is moderately more affordable than Preston, with a 6.1% lower cost of living index. Preston scores 68 compared to 64 for Salem, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Preston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Preston is $789/month compared to $850/month in Salem — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Preston has cheaper rent, Salem actually has lower median home values ($75,000 vs $144,600).

Median household income in Preston is $82,950 compared to $59,583 in Salem (+39.2%). While Preston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Preston spend roughly 11.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.1% in Salem.

Climate-wise, Salem is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 47.2°F in Preston. Preston receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 37.9" in Salem.