Preston 77 Exceptional
Preston Livability #20 ranked city in Idaho#2,973 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Preston

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

What's it like Living in Preston?

Preston, Idaho is a small city with a population of 5,587 residents. At 90%, the majority of the Preston population is White; this is followed by 2% American Indian and Alaskan and 0% Black. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Preston, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 25 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Preston could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Idaho if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Preston, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like commute, education, employment and more.

Preston has a livability score of 77 out of 100 and is ranked #18 in Idaho and #2,582 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Preston could be a great choice! Preston is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Preston has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Preston, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 64 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Preston, the unemployment rate stands at 0%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Preston can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Preston is real estate affordability. The median home price for Preston homes is $347,174, which is 13.1% higher than the Idaho average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Preston, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.4, which is 4.8% higher than the Idaho average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Preston

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Preston?

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Compare Preston, ID Livability

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      Preston transportation information

      Statistic Preston Idaho National
      Average one way commute25min20min26min
      Workers who drive to work86.5%78.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.9%10.0%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.2%5.9%4.6%
      Source: The Preston, ID data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.