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 Mount Royal, NJ 08061

Mount Royal: median income $150,658, home value $401,400, $233/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Gilberts, IL 60136 92%704$147,704$347,300$191 cheaper homes ($54K less) · larger
Polk City, IA 50226 88%974$153,011$417,500$297 larger
Carver, MN 55315 88%1,001$140,893$453,000$208 pricier homes ($52K more) · larger
Dundas, MN 55019 86%973$117,381$350,700$200 lower income ($33K less) · cheaper homes ($51K less) · smaller
Saint Bonifacius, MN 55375 86%1,007$130,893$425,700$178 Very close on everything we compare
Shawnee, KS 66218 86%1,041$168,878$436,600$207 pricier homes ($35K more) · larger · more single-family homes
Center Valley, PA 18034 85%52$153,200$475,900$235 pricier homes ($75K more) · larger · older homes
Lee, NH 03861 84%316$131,579$480,600$281 pricier homes ($79K more) · older homes
Rogers, MN 55374 84%1,004$144,714$462,000$193 pricier homes ($61K more) · larger
Grover, MO 63040 84%829$133,220$426,600$188 pricier homes ($25K more) · larger
Avondale, PA 19311 83%30$155,771$540,800$197 pricier homes ($139K more) · larger · more renters
Gilbertsville, PA 19525 82%40$140,403$405,400$216 larger
Hugo, MN 55038 82%974$130,931$422,800$201 larger
Wadsworth, IL 60083 82%685$123,125$323,200$185 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($78K less) · larger
Elburn, IL 60119 82%707$130,722$402,300$215 larger
Winfield, IL 60190 82%691$142,612$392,800$248 larger · older homes
Roca, NE 68430 82%1,129$145,729$468,900$233 pricier homes ($68K more) · smaller · more single-family homes
Port Matilda, PA 16870 81%166$121,528$411,100$235 lower income ($29K less) · larger
Toano, VA 23168 81%189$137,481$424,900$207 larger · more renters
Lake Elmo, MN 55042 81%969$154,341$602,100$236 pricier homes ($201K more) · larger
Albertville, MN 55301 81%1,008$129,232$342,100$185 cheaper homes ($59K less) · larger
Hanover, MN 55341 81%1,008$157,071$450,300$195 pricier homes ($49K more) · more single-family homes
Stilwell, KS 66085 81%1,041$152,500$538,300$241 pricier homes ($137K more) · larger · more renters
Fairfax, VT 05454 80%355$128,212$372,400$286 cheaper homes ($29K less) · more renters · older homes
Bogart, GA 30622 80%612$133,563$397,700$221 larger · more renters

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.