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 Mershon, GA 31551

Mershon: median income $45,565, home value $75,500, $169/sq ft, 33-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Norway, SC 29113 88%151$48,857$84,200— larger
Fordsville, KY 42343 88%496$52,679$86,700$160 more renters
Noble, LA 71462 88%677$52,000$78,600— larger · more apartments and townhomes
Turkey, NC 28393 87%335$37,544$58,500$170 larger
Pomona Park, FL 32181 87%142$47,101$100,400$161 larger
Enid, MS 38927 87%488$48,611$59,900— younger residents
Doyline, LA 71023 87%659$46,055$88,000$155 larger
Ravenden, AR 72459 87%613$39,167$64,000$163 Very close on everything we compare
Ruffin, SC 29475 86%134$39,769$95,000$225 larger
Sweet Water, AL 36782 86%338$51,429$66,200— larger · younger residents
Swords Creek, VA 24649 85%387$39,345$67,100— larger
Patrick, SC 29584 85%247$45,625$71,200— larger · 7 min shorter commute
Valley Head, AL 35989 84%291$43,580$94,100$162 larger
Banks, AL 36005 83%212$47,250$107,300— pricier homes ($32K more) · larger · younger residents
Frierson, LA 71027 83%675$42,781$104,300$198 pricier homes ($29K more)
Drakes Branch, VA 23937 82%433$42,818$85,000$177 larger · more renters
Orrville, AL 36767 82%299$41,429$84,500— larger
Lumber Bridge, NC 28357 81%297$49,116$88,600$161 larger · younger residents
Salley, SC 29137 81%155$41,116$107,200$134 pricier homes ($32K more) · larger · more renters
Lamont, FL 32336 81%121$45,481$109,200$162 pricier homes ($34K more) · older residents · 7 min longer commute
Lapine, AL 36046 81%241$41,974$103,400$117 pricier homes ($28K more) · younger residents
Camp Hill, AL 36850 81%220$42,000$84,200$205 larger · 5 min shorter commute
Horse Branch, KY 42349 81%484$58,601$88,900$105 larger
Lena, LA 71447 81%625$43,547$67,400— younger residents
Zavalla, TX 75980 81%718$45,439$94,500— larger · more single-family homes

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.