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 Vinalhaven, ME 04863

Vinalhaven: median income $72,963, home value $428,400, $319/sq ft, 19-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Frankfort, MI 49635 89%858$72,422$366,700$263 cheaper homes ($62K less) · larger
Tamworth, NH 03886 84%121$74,450$368,200$274 cheaper homes ($60K less) · 5 min longer commute
Presque Isle, WI 54557 84%1,027$74,432$394,600$332 cheaper homes ($34K less) · newer homes
Pentwater, MI 49449 82%872$80,917$307,300$278 cheaper homes ($121K less) · larger · younger residents
Elk Rapids, MI 49629 82%818$65,302$394,600$333 cheaper homes ($34K less) · larger · younger residents
Battle Lake, MN 56515 82%1,312$73,750$398,500$251 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger · newer homes
Hillsdale, NY 12529 81%270$70,750$384,600$334 cheaper homes ($44K less) · larger · younger residents
Sperryville, VA 22740 81%615$65,938$469,400$340 pricier homes ($41K more) · more renters
Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 81%1,985$71,556$545,200$432 pricier homes ($117K more) · 5 min longer commute · newer homes
Freedom, NH 03836 79%112$66,136$389,000$344 cheaper homes ($39K less) · 8 min longer commute · newer homes
New Buffalo, MI 49117 79%918$75,114$488,000$351 pricier homes ($60K more) · larger · younger residents
Hebron, NH 03241 78%151$91,375$470,700$371 pricier homes ($42K more) · younger residents · newer homes
Cedarville, MI 49719 78%768$75,156$226,500$294 cheaper homes ($202K less) · younger residents
Dubois, WY 82513 78%2,015$66,332$382,600$330 cheaper homes ($46K less) · more renters · newer homes
Red Lodge, MT 59068 77%1,969$80,962$438,700$366 larger · younger residents · more renters
Tillson, NY 12486 76%305$96,964$320,000$293 cheaper homes ($108K less)
Hammondsport, NY 14840 76%435$84,792$245,000$244 cheaper homes ($183K less) · larger
Honor, MI 49640 76%849$83,214$308,500$538 cheaper homes ($120K less) · 6 min longer commute
Mackay, ID 83251 76%2,198$73,482$366,900$286 cheaper homes ($62K less) · newer homes
White Stone, VA 22578 75%589$80,783$441,600$252 larger · younger residents · 7 min longer commute
Sawyer, MI 49125 75%908$79,766$342,300$378 cheaper homes ($86K less) · larger · younger residents
Yachats, OR 97498 75%2,684$67,188$511,500$405 pricier homes ($83K more) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Franconia, NH 03580 74%145$91,250$497,100$243 pricier homes ($69K more) · younger residents · newer homes
Maple City, MI 49664 74%841$77,500$475,900$410 pricier homes ($48K more) · larger · younger residents
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 74%903$73,784$432,200$406 younger residents · newer 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.