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 Summit, NJ 07901

Summit: median income $179,701, home value $987,900, $715/sq ft, 33-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Port Washington, NY 11050 94%36$154,225$1,035,400$718 lower income ($25K less) · pricier homes ($48K more)
Oakland, CA 94611 87%2,536$180,549$1,537,700$751 pricier homes ($550K more) · larger
Seattle, WA 98136 87%2,388$149,269$925,000$544 lower income ($30K less) · cheaper homes ($63K less)
Seattle, WA 98199 84%2,388$180,789$1,198,700$629 pricier homes ($211K more) · 7 min shorter commute
West Roxbury, MA 02132 83%198$138,724$746,100$505 lower income ($41K less) · cheaper homes ($242K less)
El Cerrito, CA 94530 83%2,538$128,529$1,114,100$771 lower income ($51K less) · pricier homes ($126K more)
Seattle, WA 98117 83%2,387$182,984$1,043,500$564 pricier homes ($56K more) · 6 min shorter commute · more walkable
Milton, MA 02186 81%201$188,033$933,200$547 cheaper homes ($55K less) · more homeowners
Irvington, NY 10533 81%35$174,038$874,400$588 cheaper homes ($114K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Pleasantville, NY 10570 81%42$183,833$862,300$470 cheaper homes ($126K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Eastchester, NY 10709 81%33$170,417$847,900$497 cheaper homes ($140K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Rockville Centre, NY 11570 81%38$157,163$809,200$536 cheaper homes ($179K less) · more walkable
Winchester, MA 01890 80%205$230,198$1,215,200$534 higher income ($50K more) · pricier homes ($227K more) · more homeowners
Belmont, MA 02478 80%202$183,137$1,159,000$601 pricier homes ($171K more) · more apartments and townhomes · older homes
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 80%33$165,417$765,500$537 cheaper homes ($222K less) · smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Sierra Madre, CA 91024 80%2,414$143,547$1,226,800$764 lower income ($36K less) · pricier homes ($239K more) · smaller
Walnut Creek, CA 94598 80%2,524$186,225$1,339,900$665 pricier homes ($352K more) · newer homes
West Newton, MA 02465 79%198$194,265$1,159,200$619 pricier homes ($171K more) · smaller · 8 min shorter commute
Needham Heights, MA 02494 79%195$179,720$1,107,700$530 pricier homes ($120K more) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Cos Cob, CT 06807 79%47$192,115$1,443,200$722 pricier homes ($455K more) · smaller
Jericho, NY 11753 79%44$175,781$979,800$593 smaller · 6 min longer commute · more homeowners
Glendale, CA 91208 79%2,422$136,892$1,421,200$722 lower income ($43K less) · pricier homes ($433K more) · smaller
Harrison, NY 10528 78%38$154,416$937,500$598 lower income ($25K less) · cheaper homes ($50K less) · smaller
Falls Church, VA 22046 78%196$168,882$1,014,700$476 pricier homes ($27K more) · 6 min shorter commute · newer homes
La Crescenta, CA 91214 78%2,422$140,121$1,135,200$782 lower income ($40K less) · pricier homes ($147K more) · 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.