Step 1 · Thinking about buying

Where are towns like the one I love?

Enter a town you like, or the one you’re leaving, and find the places most like it: similar incomes, home prices, commute, age of homes and more. Look nearby, in other states or only where homes cost less.

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Towns most like Gilbertville, MA 01031

Gilbertville: median income $60,517, home value $245,600, $120/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Philmont, NY 12565 90%74$56,563$225,000— 6 min shorter commute
Central Village, CT 06332 85%45$61,840$235,300$107 smaller · 7 min shorter commute
Howes Cave, NY 12092 80%113$58,615$217,600$130 cheaper homes ($28K less) · older residents
Russellton, PA 15076 79%413$50,573$184,100$155 cheaper homes ($62K less) · smaller
Nesquehoning, PA 18240 74%213$63,608$154,600$136 cheaper homes ($91K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Badin, NC 28009 73%640$53,145$160,200$117 cheaper homes ($85K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Vernon, NY 13476 71%179$62,798$204,000$148 cheaper homes ($42K less) · larger · older residents
Oakfield, NY 14125 71%312$70,294$161,200$144 cheaper homes ($84K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Rouses Point, NY 12979 69%193$45,850$190,900$130 cheaper homes ($55K less) · older residents
Ovid, NY 14521 68%235$67,198$163,700$112 cheaper homes ($82K less) · larger · older residents
Taftville, CT 06380 67%54$63,452$194,300$182 cheaper homes ($51K less) · larger · younger residents
Nunda, NY 14517 67%292$56,088$150,000$112 cheaper homes ($96K less) · more homeowners · more single-family homes
Merrill, OR 97633 67%2,493$62,019$205,900$152 cheaper homes ($40K less) · more homeowners · more single-family homes
Tamaqua, PA 18252 66%222$65,257$156,300$122 cheaper homes ($89K less) · larger · older residents
Midland, PA 15059 65%444$66,231$137,500$131 cheaper homes ($108K less) · larger · older residents
Blossburg, PA 16912 65%255$69,982$148,400$120 cheaper homes ($97K less) · more homeowners · more single-family homes
Scranton, PA 18519 65%189$58,500$181,000$142 cheaper homes ($65K less) · larger · older residents
Salem, NJ 08079 64%256$54,641$196,700$125 cheaper homes ($49K less) · larger · older residents
Sidney, NY 13838 63%163$53,306$122,000$75 cheaper homes ($124K less) · larger · newer homes
Cressona, PA 17929 63%238$73,424$156,100$122 cheaper homes ($90K less) · more homeowners · more single-family homes
Freeland, PA 18224 63%211$69,620$130,400$94 cheaper homes ($115K less) · larger · older residents
Duryea, PA 18642 63%196$61,250$158,700$140 cheaper homes ($87K less) · larger · more homeowners
Waterville, NY 13480 62%167$85,435$179,200$115 cheaper homes ($66K less) · larger · older residents
Glenns Ferry, ID 83623 62%2,167$58,145$217,600$146 cheaper homes ($28K less) · older residents · 5 min shorter commute
Canaan, CT 06018 61%61$68,917$280,200$195 pricier homes ($35K more) · larger · more single-family homes

Similarity compares income, home value, price per sq ft, population, age, commute, education, walkability, owner share, single-family share and age of homes. Click a town to see its housing market. Set your own criteria with the town finder.

Finding towns like the one you love

Maybe you grew up somewhere you loved and want something like it closer to a new job. Maybe the town you want is out of reach and you’re looking for a cheaper version of it. Or you’re moving across the country and want to know which places will feel familiar. This tool starts from a town you know and finds the places most like it.

How we measure similarity

We compare eleven things for every ZIP code: median household income, median home value, price per square foot from recent sales, population, median age, average commute, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree, walkability, the share of homes that are owner-occupied, the share that are single-family homes, and the median year homes were built. Income and home values count most, because they shape what a place costs and feels like day to day.

Each trait is put on the same scale, so a $50,000 difference in home value and a five-minute difference in commute can be compared fairly. The result is a similarity score: towns in the 90s are close matches on nearly everything, and scores in the 70s are similar with a few clear differences. For each match we list the biggest differences, like cheaper homes, a longer commute or more single-family homes.

Where to look

  • Anywhere shows the closest matches nationwide.
  • Same state or other states keeps the search where you need it.
  • Within a distance finds alternatives near a town you’re priced out of.
  • At least a distance away finds the same kind of place somewhere new.

Tick “only towns where homes cost less” to find more affordable versions of the place you like.

What it can’t tell you

Numbers can’t capture everything that makes a place feel like home: a walkable downtown, the schools, the views or the people. Use the matches as a short list, then visit. Click any town to see its housing market, including how competitive it is and how fast homes are selling.