City vs city
Lava Hot Springs vs Preston, Idaho
Preston has about 16.4 times as many people as Lava Hot Springs. They are about 37 miles apart in a straight line.
The basics
Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates (Vintage 2024) · July 1, 2024 estimate
375
6,160
County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and USGS Geographic Names Information System · Checked Oct 3, 2026
Bannock County
Franklin County
Elevation
Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System · Checked Oct 3, 2026
5,000 ft
4,700 ft
Distance to Boise (straight line)
Source: Straight line between the two town centers (USGS and Census coordinates) · Checked Oct 3, 2026
222 mi
243 mi
Price level (U.S. average = 100)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities, all items, for the metro area (via FRED) · 2024 data, released Feb 19, 2026
88.9
95.9
Public schools
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, operating public schools · 2024-25 school year
1
5
Outdoors
Named parks in town
Source: Named parks on OpenStreetMap · Checked Oct 2, 2026
2
2
Trails within 15 miles
Source: Trails listed on Treasure Idaho (OpenStreetMap and public land agencies) · Checked Oct 2, 2026
6
19
Things to do within 15 miles
Source: Things to do listed on Treasure Idaho (OpenStreetMap and USGS) · Checked Oct 2, 2026
4
4
Allergies, in a typical year
Spring tree pollen
Source: National Allergy Bureau daily pollen counts, CDC release 2003 to 2024 (Boise, Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene stations) · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page · Lava Hot Springs uses the Twin Falls station, 125 miles away. Preston uses the Twin Falls station, 136 miles away.
Moderate
Moderate
Early-summer grass pollen
Source: The Allergy Group (Boise) grass counts; NAB station reports for North Idaho · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page · Lava Hot Springs uses the Twin Falls station, 125 miles away. Preston uses the Twin Falls station, 136 miles away.
High
High
Fall weed and sagebrush pollen
Source: National Allergy Bureau daily pollen counts, CDC release 2003 to 2024 (Boise, Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene stations) · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page · Lava Hot Springs uses the Twin Falls station, 125 miles away. Preston uses the Twin Falls station, 136 miles away.
High
High
Wildfire smoke (days a year over AQI 100)
Source: EPA AirData: annual AQI by county · 2021 to 2025 average
Moderate, 3
Low, 2.2
Only figures both towns have are shown. Counts of communities, builders, jobs, businesses and stays are what Treasure Idaho lists today, not every one in town. Allergy ratings are typical, general guidance, not medical advice; each city page shows how its ratings were worked out.