City vs city
Montpelier vs Preston, Idaho
Preston has about 2.3 times as many people as Montpelier. They are about 33 miles apart in a straight line.
The basics
Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates (Vintage 2024) · July 1, 2024 estimate
2,696
6,160
County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and USGS Geographic Names Information System · Checked Oct 3, 2026
Bear Lake County
Franklin County
Elevation
Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System · Checked Oct 3, 2026
6,000 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
263 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 · Towns outside a metro area use Idaho's statewide figure.
95.5
95.9
Public schools
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, operating public schools · 2024-25 school year
4
5
Work and getting around town
Open jobs listed
Source: Open jobs listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Nov 3, 2026
12
13
Outdoors
Trails within 15 miles
Source: Trails listed on Treasure Idaho (OpenStreetMap and public land agencies) · Checked Oct 2, 2026
25
19
Things to do within 15 miles
Source: Things to do listed on Treasure Idaho (OpenStreetMap and USGS) · Checked Oct 2, 2026
5
4
Allergies, in a typical year
Wildfire smoke (days a year over AQI 100)
Source: EPA AirData: annual AQI by county · 2021 to 2025 average · Montpelier has no air monitor in its county and uses Franklin County.
Low, 2.2
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.