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 Belle Haven, VA 23306

Belle Haven: median income $108,438, home value $280,600, $103/sq ft, 20-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Congerville, IL 61729 94%745$101,172$259,100— Very close on everything we compare
Russia, OH 45363 92%495$95,268$316,900— pricier homes ($36K more)
Fort Loramie, OH 45845 91%495$95,078$306,300— pricier homes ($26K more) · larger
Maria Stein, OH 45860 91%503$111,269$296,000— Very close on everything we compare
Epworth, IA 52045 91%864$91,667$263,500$141 larger
Saint Henry, OH 45883 90%510$113,967$297,000$104 larger
Battle Creek, NE 68715 90%1,190$95,714$238,800$123 cheaper homes ($42K less)
Alton, IA 51003 89%1,123$101,250$232,700$119 cheaper homes ($48K less) · older residents
Colwich, KS 67030 88%1,183$100,192$284,800$138 larger
Pleasanton, NE 68866 88%1,262$94,792$262,300— older residents
Spruce Pine, AL 35585 87%702$92,679$211,200$94 cheaper homes ($69K less)
Larchwood, IA 51241 87%1,150$87,446$280,600$145 Very close on everything we compare
Courtland, MN 56021 87%1,067$96,563$276,800$140 smaller · older residents
Elm Creek, NE 68836 87%1,274$86,806$224,800$115 cheaper homes ($56K less)
Botkins, OH 45306 86%489$86,354$255,600$157 cheaper homes ($25K less)
Teutopolis, IL 62467 86%691$96,406$232,800$128 cheaper homes ($48K less) · larger · older residents
Olpe, KS 66865 86%1,106$93,333$181,600$125 cheaper homes ($99K less) · smaller
Juniata, NE 68955 86%1,229$90,850$266,400$151 Very close on everything we compare
Woodburn, KY 42170 85%590$96,111$291,700$114 more apartments and townhomes
Elgin, MN 55932 85%967$100,078$316,500$120 pricier homes ($36K more) · older residents · 7 min longer commute
Heyworth, IL 61745 85%729$107,835$228,400$138 cheaper homes ($52K less) · larger · older residents
Hamel, IL 62046 85%763$108,036$250,000$150 cheaper homes ($31K less) · smaller
Yutan, NE 68073 85%1,122$112,460$263,400$148 larger · 7 min longer commute
Ireton, IA 51027 84%1,138$100,893$227,200$82 cheaper homes ($53K less) · older homes
Nicollet, MN 56074 84%1,060$92,813$293,700$160 older residents

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.