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 Shirley, NY 11967

Shirley: median income $111,617, home value $419,100, $387/sq ft, 34-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Bayville, NJ 08721 90%92$105,273$383,900$329 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Beachwood, NJ 08722 89%92$106,858$352,600$320 cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller
Homestead, FL 33031 85%1,143$109,945$497,400$375 pricier homes ($78K more) · smaller · newer homes
Forked River, NJ 08731 83%96$98,582$404,200$330 older residents
Rialto, CA 92377 83%2,458$116,223$582,900$338 pricier homes ($164K more) · more walkable · newer homes
Hopatcong, NJ 07843 82%94$108,651$340,000$366 cheaper homes ($79K less) · smaller
Brick, NJ 08723 82%84$108,643$400,800$350 Very close on everything we compare
Enumclaw, WA 98022 82%2,441$120,406$608,500$352 pricier homes ($189K more)
Hazlet, NJ 07730 81%74$125,338$478,600$375 pricier homes ($60K more) · smaller
Norco, CA 92860 80%2,472$127,780$783,200$457 pricier homes ($364K more)
Gig Harbor, WA 98329 80%2,471$110,316$518,700$356 pricier homes ($100K more) · smaller · newer homes
East Bridgewater, MA 02333 79%131$133,741$509,200$322 pricier homes ($90K more) · smaller
East Taunton, MA 02718 79%121$109,500$469,200$300 pricier homes ($50K more) · smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Naples, FL 34117 79%1,129$110,614$461,600$327 pricier homes ($43K more) · less walkable · newer homes
Stacy, MN 55079 79%1,062$114,614$352,200$253 cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller · newer homes
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734 78%94$116,000$442,000$309 smaller
Rio Linda, CA 95673 78%2,552$95,824$459,100$357 pricier homes ($40K more) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Buckley, WA 98321 78%2,443$127,411$571,200$296 pricier homes ($152K more) · smaller · newer homes
Oxford, MA 01540 77%104$110,579$376,100$302 cheaper homes ($43K less) · smaller · more apartments and townhomes
North Berwick, ME 03906 77%206$105,156$432,900$325 smaller
Tacoma, WA 98443 77%2,457$105,035$519,100$320 pricier homes ($100K more) · smaller
Charlton, MA 01507 76%103$117,587$427,500$272 smaller
Carver, MA 02330 76%132$91,250$434,200$357 smaller · older residents · more apartments and townhomes
East Wareham, MA 02538 76%133$123,750$392,000$404 cheaper homes ($27K less) · smaller
Somerset, MA 02726 76%111$111,046$419,000$345 smaller · older residents · older 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.