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 Nedrow, NY 13120

Nedrow: median income $55,682, home value $112,700, $157/sq ft, 19-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Lakemore, OH 44250 89%302$66,328$128,400$143 Very close on everything we compare
Franklin, NE 68939 89%1,192$54,083$90,000$110 Very close on everything we compare
Hurley, WI 54534 87%729$53,468$123,600$121 newer homes
Tyndall, SD 57066 87%1,094$56,389$112,000$119 Very close on everything we compare
Saint Francis, KS 67756 87%1,350$54,868$129,600— 6 min shorter commute
Exira, IA 50076 86%959$55,313$114,100— less walkable
Batavia, IA 52533 86%831$62,799$126,800$132 Very close on everything we compare
Appleton, MN 56208 85%994$59,766$102,800$114 Very close on everything we compare
Arapahoe, NE 68922 85%1,236$57,426$107,900— more renters
Essex, IA 51638 84%993$59,107$120,700$162 7 min longer commute · less walkable
Stoystown, PA 15563 83%245$62,411$139,600$128 pricier homes ($27K more) · larger · less walkable
North Apollo, PA 15673 83%240$66,629$140,600$119 pricier homes ($28K more) · 7 min longer commute
Madison, MN 56256 83%1,002$65,521$124,200$119 larger
Lake City, IA 51449 82%945$75,329$115,800— Very close on everything we compare
Morning Sun, IA 52640 82%785$67,813$125,800$155 younger residents · 6 min longer commute
Iron River, MI 49935 81%652$57,236$111,500$139 larger · newer homes
Wakefield, MI 49968 81%718$55,759$91,800$97 less walkable
Allison, IA 50602 81%841$67,188$118,100$108 Very close on everything we compare
Heron Lake, MN 56137 81%963$71,250$123,900$141 smaller · younger residents · less walkable
New Salem, PA 15468 80%283$69,375$110,400$121 older residents · less walkable
Fairfax, MO 64446 80%1,007$56,949$101,800— smaller · younger residents · more renters
Hay Springs, NE 69347 80%1,339$76,133$116,300— Very close on everything we compare
Walton, IN 46994 79%544$56,563$136,200$102 less walkable
Ontonagon, MI 49953 79%698$59,375$119,800$147 older residents · 6 min longer commute · newer homes
Winfield, IA 52659 79%793$55,125$110,900$156 younger residents · 6 min longer commute

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.