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 Mcdonough, GA 30252

Mcdonough: median income $100,770, home value $360,600, $156/sq ft, 37-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Maricopa, AZ 85138 94%1,606$95,867$378,800$178 Very close on everything we compare
Groveland, FL 34736 92%363$90,545$357,200$194 smaller
Rosharon, TX 77583 92%727$119,287$338,100$157 Very close on everything we compare
Youngsville, NC 27596 91%362$95,940$377,600$192 smaller
Saint Cloud, FL 34772 91%401$97,868$390,900$195 pricier homes ($30K more)
Prairieville, LA 70769 91%459$109,404$311,500$179 cheaper homes ($49K less)
Royse City, TX 75189 91%712$117,125$356,600$159 younger residents
Cape Coral, FL 33993 90%485$90,577$364,800$211 Very close on everything we compare
San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 90%1,581$101,477$445,000$231 pricier homes ($84K more)
San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 90%1,581$93,707$389,200$201 pricier homes ($29K more)
Willow Spring, NC 27592 89%338$104,252$358,900$195 smaller
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 89%275$84,145$337,900$186 Very close on everything we compare
Riverview, FL 33579 89%406$116,134$415,500$180 pricier homes ($55K more)
Zimmerman, MN 55398 89%970$103,419$355,100$193 smaller
Cibolo, TX 78108 89%876$113,004$337,600$148 5 min shorter commute
Rio Rancho, NM 87144 89%1,295$94,550$321,900$221 cheaper homes ($39K less)
King George, VA 22485 88%510$117,560$428,300$197 pricier homes ($68K more) · smaller
Milton, FL 32571 88%267$87,617$306,700$179 cheaper homes ($54K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Wimauma, FL 33598 88%412$97,520$395,500$182 pricier homes ($35K more) · smaller
Saint Cloud, FL 34771 88%397$97,415$454,400$206 pricier homes ($94K more)
Atoka, TN 38004 88%353$92,928$320,900$151 cheaper homes ($40K less) · smaller
Hernando, MS 38632 88%353$93,583$322,000$167 cheaper homes ($39K less) · smaller · 8 min shorter commute
Big Lake, MN 55309 88%968$121,711$361,100$187 smaller
Red Oak, TX 75154 88%741$100,388$345,500$177 7 min shorter commute
Hockley, TX 77447 88%729$116,925$326,400$158 cheaper homes ($34K less) · smaller

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.