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 Marlboro, NY 12542

Marlboro: median income $121,378, home value $416,000, $173/sq ft, 33-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Woodsboro, MD 21798 91%225$116,607$498,400$198 pricier homes ($82K more) · smaller
New Glarus, WI 53574 90%804$106,508$335,700$205 cheaper homes ($80K less)
Evans City, PA 16033 89%321$108,071$333,100$200 cheaper homes ($83K less)
Woodstock, CT 06281 88%105$125,778$428,800$261 Very close on everything we compare
Knoxville, MD 21758 88%248$111,528$424,600$189 Very close on everything we compare
Berryville, VA 22611 88%269$120,381$580,200$226 pricier homes ($164K more) · larger
Valley City, OH 44280 88%412$130,167$386,000$204 cheaper homes ($30K less) · more homeowners
Delano, MN 55328 88%1,021$114,158$409,800$197 larger · younger residents
Hope Valley, RI 02832 87%117$105,976$432,300$270 Very close on everything we compare
Hebron, CT 06248 87%82$134,435$376,200$239 cheaper homes ($40K less) · more homeowners
New Tripoli, PA 18066 87%112$109,115$328,400$191 cheaper homes ($88K less) · more homeowners
Schnecksville, PA 18078 87%106$120,857$385,400$205 cheaper homes ($31K less)
West Grove, PA 19390 87%157$128,858$417,900$222 larger
Centreville, MD 21617 87%207$116,898$483,700$218 pricier homes ($68K more) · larger · newer homes
Davisburg, MI 48350 87%495$110,042$371,900$168 cheaper homes ($44K less) · more homeowners
De Soto, KS 66018 87%1,118$105,357$422,500$207 5 min shorter commute
Ellington, CT 06029 86%81$129,331$367,200$249 cheaper homes ($49K less) · larger
Colchester, CT 06415 86%85$123,256$366,300$265 cheaper homes ($50K less) · larger
Salem, CT 06420 86%89$123,425$405,800$245 more homeowners
Valencia, PA 16059 86%315$110,828$408,500$243 larger · more homeowners
Cochranville, PA 19330 86%157$109,779$387,100$223 cheaper homes ($29K less) · more homeowners
Johnstown, OH 43031 86%466$110,930$389,900$224 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger
Romeo, MI 48065 86%471$106,053$373,100$204 cheaper homes ($43K less) · larger · more homeowners
Maple Park, IL 60151 86%752$117,450$347,400$193 cheaper homes ($69K less)
Barre, MA 01005 85%111$111,148$392,600$247 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.