What are the schools like in Preston, MN?

Preston is served primarily by FILLMORE CENTRAL. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.4:1.

What is the median household income in Preston?

The median household income in Preston, MN is $56,354 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.4%.

What is the weather like in Preston, MN?

Preston has an average high temperature of 23.6°F in January and 81.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 36.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 42.2 inches.

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

Q: Is Preston, MN affordable or expensive?

Preston's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Preston is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $154,400 and the median rent is $576 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Preston, MN?

Preston has a violent crime rate of 38.0 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 289.6 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Preston, MN a Good Place to Live?

Preston is a small town of 1,222 in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,354 and a 4.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Preston stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Preston is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Preston 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: 93.1

Preston's overall cost of living index is 93.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Preston costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Preston, MN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$154,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$576	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	70.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$56,354	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Preston's violent crime rate is 38.0 per 100,000 residents — 90% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

38.0 /100k

Property Crime

289.6 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Preston is served primarily by FILLMORE CENTRAL. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.4:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Preston, MN	National Avg
School District	FILLMORE CENTRAL	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	27.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	95.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Preston sees average highs of 23.6°F in January and 81.1°F in July, with 36.8 inches of annual precipitation and 42.2 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Preston, MN
Average High — January	23.6°F
Average High — July	81.1°F
Annual Precipitation	36.8"
Annual Snowfall	42.2"

Demographics

Metric	Preston, MN	National Avg
Population	1,222	—
Median Age	42.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	22.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	97.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	21.2%	22.2%
65 and over	20.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Fountain, MN 5 mi Lanesboro, MN 6 mi Whalan, MN 9 mi Harmony, MN 9 mi Wykoff, MN 10 mi

ZIP Codes in Preston

Preston, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code:

55965

Preston vs Other Cities

Preston, MN vs Fountain, MN Preston, MN vs Lanesboro, MN Preston, MN vs Whalan, MN Preston, MN vs Harmony, MN Preston, MN vs Wykoff, MN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Preston, MN affordable or expensive?

Preston's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Preston roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $154,400 and median rent is $576/month.

What is the crime rate in Preston, MN?

Preston's violent crime rate is 38.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 289.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Preston?

Public schools in Preston are operated by FILLMORE CENTRAL. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.4:1. 27.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Preston, MN a good place to live?

Preston, MN has a population of 1,222, a median household income of $56,354, and an unemployment rate of 4.4%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. 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?

Preston averages 23.6°F in January and 81.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 36.8 inches with about 42.2 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Preston?

Preston, MN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 55965.

What is the population of Preston?

The population of Preston, Minnesota is 1,222 with a median age of 42.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Preston?

Key numbers for living in Preston: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $154,400, median household income $56,354, crime index 12 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Preston side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.