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 Brookhaven, NY 11719

Brookhaven: median income $126,250, home value $658,700, $410/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Forestdale, MA 02644 89%138$108,158$485,700$361 cheaper homes ($173K less)
Churchville, MD 21028 87%196$137,586$512,400$279 cheaper homes ($146K less)
Pine Valley, CA 91962 87%2,449$143,094$528,100$414 cheaper homes ($131K less) · older residents
Palo Cedro, CA 96073 87%2,550$120,469$567,000$274 cheaper homes ($92K less) · larger
Corbett, OR 97019 87%2,469$104,022$686,400$309 pricier homes ($28K more)
Mendon, MA 01756 86%114$132,256$616,000$314 cheaper homes ($43K less) · larger · newer homes
East Freetown, MA 02717 86%121$130,625$520,800$336 cheaper homes ($138K less) · 6 min longer commute
North Dighton, MA 02764 86%117$135,640$533,800$369 cheaper homes ($125K less) · younger residents
Pleasant Hill, OR 97455 86%2,524$118,456$759,700$331 pricier homes ($101K more) · older residents
Sagamore Beach, MA 02562 85%142$120,000$591,000$498 cheaper homes ($68K less) · older residents
Hope, RI 02831 85%96$137,181$462,200$299 cheaper homes ($197K less)
Applegate, CA 95703 85%2,521$100,214$603,900$351 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($55K less)
Marstons Mills, MA 02648 84%142$129,681$593,600$438 cheaper homes ($65K less) · larger · newer homes
Cape Neddick, ME 03902 84%204$133,676$592,200$405 cheaper homes ($67K less)
Newcastle, CA 95658 84%2,531$126,581$837,700$450 pricier homes ($179K more) · larger · older residents
Plympton, MA 02367 83%136$126,736$517,800$380 cheaper homes ($141K less) · 5 min longer commute · less walkable
Mine Hill, NJ 07803 83%89$119,583$434,100$315 cheaper homes ($225K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Huntsville, UT 84317 83%2,009$130,040$762,700$418 pricier homes ($104K more) · more apartments and townhomes · newer homes
Beavercreek, OR 97004 83%2,484$112,667$721,300$425 pricier homes ($63K more)
Rehoboth, MA 02769 82%113$138,214$563,000$323 cheaper homes ($96K less) · larger
North Yarmouth, ME 04097 82%252$129,267$496,500$340 cheaper homes ($162K less) · newer homes
Northvale, NJ 07647 82%57$128,542$602,800$451 cheaper homes ($56K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
West Creek, NJ 08092 82%107$110,509$496,900$322 cheaper homes ($162K less) · newer homes
Boylston, MA 01505 81%123$140,962$578,600$343 cheaper homes ($80K less) · larger
Sanbornton, NH 03269 81%202$107,083$450,000$319 cheaper homes ($209K less) · 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.