Preston, ID vs Star, ID

The cost of living difference between Preston, ID and Star, ID is dramatic. Preston is 35.1% cheaper than Star, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Preston has a cost index of 80 while Star sits at 123, 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 Preston is $794/month compared to $1,622/month in Star — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Preston is more affordable at $280,500 median vs $498,900.

Median household income in Preston is $55,625 compared to $91,318 in Star (-39.1%). While Star 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 17.1% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Star.