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 Elko, GA 31025

Elko: median income $133,839, home value $318,600, $228/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Santo, TX 76472 89%842$103,482$259,700$201 lower income ($30K less) · cheaper homes ($59K less)
Elkhart, IA 50073 87%846$100,972$274,700$264 lower income ($33K less) · cheaper homes ($44K less)
Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442 85%588$111,419$393,600$200 pricier homes ($75K more) · larger
Forest Ranch, CA 95942 85%2,164$116,400$448,000$226 pricier homes ($129K more) · larger · older homes
Templeton, MA 01468 83%951$113,427$384,500$271 pricier homes ($66K more) · larger · more walkable
Barnstead, NH 03218 83%1,017$112,500$346,900$335 pricier homes ($28K more) · older homes
Croton, OH 43013 83%549$131,528$373,600$205 pricier homes ($55K more) · 7 min longer commute · more single-family homes
Huntley, MT 59037 83%1,605$105,099$354,100$223 lower income ($29K less) · pricier homes ($36K more) · larger
Arcadia, OK 73007 83%811$120,556$494,200$230 pricier homes ($176K more) · larger
Hampton, CT 06247 81%914$108,854$293,000$263 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger · older homes
Carson, VA 23830 81%483$118,030$330,800$196 7 min longer commute · more single-family homes
Helenville, WI 53137 81%785$116,550$366,200$251 pricier homes ($48K more) · older residents · 5 min longer commute
Little Suamico, WI 54141 81%886$101,553$288,400$216 lower income ($32K less) · cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
Sherwood, WI 54169 81%854$109,524$351,200$208 pricier homes ($33K more) · larger · more walkable
Custer, WI 54423 81%899$113,690$329,100$239 larger · older residents · more single-family homes
Lone Jack, MO 64070 81%740$130,364$370,400$207 pricier homes ($52K more) · larger · more single-family homes
Roca, NE 68430 81%918$145,729$468,900$233 pricier homes ($150K more)
Burton, TX 77835 81%774$109,917$394,700$281 pricier homes ($76K more) · larger
Buffalo Gap, TX 79508 81%938$105,000$210,000$210 lower income ($29K less) · cheaper homes ($109K less) · younger residents
Duanesburg, NY 12056 80%893$132,150$374,500$193 pricier homes ($56K more) · older residents · 7 min longer commute
Mohrsville, PA 19541 80%707$107,625$312,400$184 lower income ($26K less) · larger · older homes
Prole, IA 50229 80%834$123,164$416,700— pricier homes ($98K more) · younger residents · more single-family homes
Barneveld, WI 53507 80%811$113,261$347,400$224 pricier homes ($29K more) · larger · older homes
Dundas, MN 55019 80%977$117,381$350,700$200 pricier homes ($32K more) · larger · younger residents
Cologne, MN 55322 80%1,015$124,861$426,200$181 pricier homes ($108K more) · 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.