What are the schools like in Preston Heights, IL?

School district data for Preston Heights is sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

What is the median household income in Preston Heights?

The median household income in Preston Heights, IL is $47,656 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.3%.

What is the weather like in Preston Heights, IL?

Preston Heights has an average high temperature of 31.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 38.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 16.9 inches.

Preston Heights, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Preston Heights, IL affordable or expensive?

Preston Heights's cost of living index is 103, where 100 represents the national average. This means Preston Heights is 3% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $139,500 and the median rent is $1,117 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Preston Heights, IL?

Preston Heights has a violent crime rate of 139.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 707.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Preston Heights, IL a Good Place to Live?

Preston Heights is a small town of 2,586 in Illinois, with a median household income of $47,656 and a 8.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is 3% above the national average.

Strengths: Preston Heights stands out for below-average home prices, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Preston Heights is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Preston Heights city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 102.6

Preston Heights's overall cost of living index is 102.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Preston Heights costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.

Metric	Preston Heights, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$139,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,117	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	56.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$47,656	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Preston Heights's violent crime rate is 139.7 per 100,000 residents — 63% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

139.7 /100k

Property Crime

707.4 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Metric	Preston Heights, IL	National Avg
School District	N/A	—
Elementary Schools	N/A	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	N/A	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	8.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	77.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Preston Heights sees average highs of 31.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July, with 38.0 inches of annual precipitation and 16.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Preston Heights, IL
Average High — January	31.1°F
Average High — July	83.6°F
Annual Precipitation	38.0"
Annual Snowfall	16.9"

Demographics

Metric	Preston Heights, IL	National Avg
Population	2,586	—
Median Age	35.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	23.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	29.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	42.7%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	19.8%	18.9%
Asian	0.7%	6.3%
Under 18	21.3%	22.2%
65 and over	16.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Rockdale, IL 2 mi Ingalls Park, IL 3 mi Ridgewood, IL 3 mi Joliet, IL 4 mi Fairmont, IL 5 mi

Preston Heights vs Other Cities

Preston Heights, IL vs Rockdale, IL Preston Heights, IL vs Ingalls Park, IL Preston Heights, IL vs Ridgewood, IL Preston Heights, IL vs Joliet, IL Preston Heights, IL vs Fairmont, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Preston Heights, IL affordable or expensive?

Preston Heights's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average. That puts Preston Heights roughly 3% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $139,500 and median rent is $1,117/month.

What is the crime rate in Preston Heights, IL?

Preston Heights's violent crime rate is 139.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 707.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Preston Heights?

School district information is sourced from NCES Common Core of Data.

Is Preston Heights, IL a good place to live?

Preston Heights, IL has a population of 2,586, a median household income of $47,656, and an unemployment rate of 8.3%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Preston Heights?

Preston Heights averages 31.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.0 inches with about 16.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Preston Heights?

The population of Preston Heights, Illinois is 2,586 with a median age of 35.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Preston Heights?

Key numbers for living in Preston Heights: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $139,500, median household income $47,656, crime index 36 (100 = US average, lower is safer). Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Preston Heights side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.