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 Bethel, ME 04217

Bethel: median income $61,125, home value $329,700, $274/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Maggie Valley, NC 28751 92%893$69,057$313,500$292 older residents
Cedaredge, CO 81413 91%1,936$58,465$355,800$245 pricier homes ($26K more) · larger · older residents
Bokeelia, FL 33922 90%1,379$71,164$355,800$269 pricier homes ($26K more)
Spring Mills, PA 16875 89%423$71,250$307,700$211 Very close on everything we compare
Waynesville, NC 28785 89%888$61,769$310,300$252 larger · 5 min shorter commute
Landrum, SC 29356 89%879$64,514$292,000$203 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger
Walker, MN 56484 89%1,157$67,019$311,200$272 older residents
Norwood, CO 81423 89%1,977$62,125$425,000$292 pricier homes ($95K more) · smaller
Center Conway, NH 03813 88%32$56,951$252,200$330 cheaper homes ($78K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 88%891$71,383$341,400$248 larger
Panacea, FL 32346 88%1,241$61,700$267,200$257 cheaper homes ($63K less)
Deerwood, MN 56444 88%1,124$77,500$365,200$238 pricier homes ($36K more)
Llano, TX 78643 88%1,780$68,365$362,600$239 pricier homes ($33K more) · larger
Chester, VT 05143 87%119$70,610$255,200$230 cheaper homes ($75K less)
Columbus, NC 28722 87%874$67,760$307,300$225 larger · more renters
Young Harris, GA 30582 87%952$59,360$329,900$212 larger · 6 min shorter commute · newer homes
Brookfield, MA 01506 86%166$81,250$341,900$267 Very close on everything we compare
Saxonburg, PA 16056 86%525$75,893$302,000$239 cheaper homes ($28K less) · younger residents
Flat Rock, NC 28731 86%879$66,309$402,300$253 pricier homes ($73K more) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 86%906$66,000$294,600$368 cheaper homes ($35K less) · smaller
Saluda, NC 28773 86%879$70,703$413,700$319 pricier homes ($84K more) · more single-family homes
Rising Fawn, GA 30738 86%1,023$66,080$284,700$224 cheaper homes ($45K less)
Iron River, WI 54847 86%1,007$68,795$266,600$236 cheaper homes ($63K less)
Cascade, MT 59421 86%1,956$78,125$377,900$267 pricier homes ($48K more) · smaller
Rumney, NH 03266 85%67$76,071$281,900$251 cheaper homes ($48K less) · smaller · 6 min longer commute

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.