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 Otego, NY 13825

Otego: median income $76,875, home value $194,500, $128/sq ft, 23-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Orangeville, PA 17859 94%109$75,515$224,800$118 pricier homes ($30K more)
Pembroke, VA 24136 94%453$70,854$183,300$143 Very close on everything we compare
Millville, PA 17846 93%112$66,591$224,700$143 pricier homes ($30K more)
Milton, KY 40045 93%591$76,607$174,700$155 Very close on everything we compare
Nicholson, PA 18446 92%61$71,157$206,400$134 Very close on everything we compare
Nescopeck, PA 18635 92%107$73,480$195,800$139 Very close on everything we compare
Middlebourne, WV 26149 92%359$71,786$159,900$138 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Grand Rapids, OH 43522 92%449$76,583$219,000$174 Very close on everything we compare
Versailles, IN 47042 92%573$75,580$213,700$150 Very close on everything we compare
Wathena, KS 66090 92%1,041$87,025$161,100$152 cheaper homes ($33K less)
Dixfield, ME 04224 91%282$71,513$156,800$164 cheaper homes ($38K less)
West Middlesex, PA 16159 91%283$69,391$178,000— larger
Saegertown, PA 16433 91%258$68,542$187,300$155 larger
Wysox, PA 18854 91%74$77,917$207,300$143 smaller · newer homes
Triadelphia, WV 26059 91%323$67,094$191,700$165 Very close on everything we compare
Baroda, MI 49101 91%578$75,048$252,100$164 pricier homes ($58K more)
Akron, IA 51001 91%1,081$75,404$192,700$119 more single-family homes
Fountain City, WI 54629 91%836$74,432$229,900$143 pricier homes ($35K more)
Mountain Iron, MN 55768 91%919$86,075$198,500$145 5 min shorter commute
Albion, PA 16401 90%264$70,052$162,600$123 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Hughesville, PA 17737 90%111$70,131$203,800$138 larger
Conrad, IA 50621 90%902$88,077$214,700$106 smaller
Lansing, IA 52151 90%814$69,938$177,500$167 smaller
Wichita Falls, TX 76305 90%1,381$78,071$184,700$162 larger
Henrietta, TX 76365 90%1,381$78,484$162,300$115 cheaper homes ($32K less) · larger

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.