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 West Wareham, MA 02576

West Wareham: median income $63,021, home value $387,200, $345/sq ft, 23-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Belmont, NH 03220 92%121$68,242$316,200$280 cheaper homes ($71K less) · larger
Ignacio, CO 81137 91%1,978$63,860$335,300$372 cheaper homes ($52K less)
Oak Hill, FL 32759 88%1,056$61,671$289,300$229 cheaper homes ($98K less)
Lakeside, AZ 85929 88%2,180$62,752$306,900$290 cheaper homes ($80K less) · larger · older residents
Oldtown, ID 83822 87%2,266$56,490$443,800$321 pricier homes ($57K more) · smaller
Otis, OR 97368 87%2,630$61,821$325,700$294 cheaper homes ($62K less) · less walkable
Superior, MT 59872 85%2,177$55,926$396,600$387 smaller · older residents
Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 84%800$66,000$294,600$368 cheaper homes ($93K less) · smaller
Aurora, OR 97002 84%2,573$70,137$530,100$339 pricier homes ($143K more) · larger · more single-family homes
Veneta, OR 97487 84%2,620$65,625$414,700$296 pricier homes ($28K more) · larger · more single-family homes
Port Hadlock, WA 98339 84%2,532$77,778$409,800$350 more walkable
Saint Maries, ID 83861 83%2,254$65,508$307,800$237 cheaper homes ($79K less) · larger
Diamond Springs, CA 95619 83%2,611$66,429$373,900$321 more renters
Cathlamet, WA 98612 83%2,584$59,583$429,600$318 pricier homes ($42K more) · older residents · more single-family homes
Bokeelia, FL 33922 82%1,228$71,164$355,800$269 cheaper homes ($31K less) · older residents
Darby, MT 59829 82%2,155$63,650$437,900$315 pricier homes ($51K more) · smaller · older residents
Dexter, OR 97431 82%2,598$60,714$354,800$342 cheaper homes ($32K less) · smaller · younger residents
Winston, OR 97496 82%2,642$56,071$257,600$244 cheaper homes ($130K less) · larger
Chewelah, WA 99109 82%2,302$62,391$327,400$235 cheaper homes ($60K less) · older residents
Farmington, NH 03835 81%112$66,982$289,800$242 cheaper homes ($97K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Big Pine, CA 93513 81%2,522$67,292$330,300$265 cheaper homes ($57K less) · smaller · younger residents
Carson, WA 98610 81%2,520$72,773$501,600$385 pricier homes ($114K more) · older residents · 7 min longer commute
Calverton, NY 11933 80%118$74,195$444,100$400 pricier homes ($57K more) · larger · 8 min longer commute
Jefferson, NC 28640 80%681$53,155$282,900$264 cheaper homes ($104K less) · more renters
Waynesville, NC 28785 80%786$61,769$310,300$252 cheaper homes ($77K less) · larger

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.