It's a preference, just the same (5)

I believe the answer is:

alike

'just the same' is the definition.
(alike means the same or similar)

'it's a preference' is the wordplay.
'preference' becomes 'like' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a'+'like'='ALIKE'

(Other definitions for alike that I've seen before include "Share and share . . . . . - even Stephen" , "Comparable or similar" , "Dull pain" , "In a similar way" , "Resembling each other" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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