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 Midway, TN 37809

Midway: median income $50,192, home value $163,000, $180/sq ft, 20-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
New Church, VA 23415 91%433$46,836$177,800$206 Very close on everything we compare
Noel, MO 64854 86%638$44,490$132,800$153 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger · younger residents
Seeley, CA 92273 84%1,866$62,051$205,600— pricier homes ($43K more) · smaller
Live Oak, FL 32064 83%405$50,984$165,500$154 larger · more walkable
Kaiser, MO 65047 83%544$53,750$264,600$220 pricier homes ($102K more) · smaller · more walkable
Newark, AR 72562 83%471$55,156$144,600$118 more homeowners
Decatur, AR 72722 83%636$54,838$230,200$228 pricier homes ($67K more) · 5 min longer commute
Carlin, NV 89822 82%1,807$60,898$179,700$178 more homeowners
Elliston, VA 24087 81%171$41,204$155,100$172 larger · more homeowners
Metter, GA 30439 81%265$52,071$158,100$159 larger
Vienna, GA 31092 81%284$61,197$147,200$126 larger · older residents
New Llano, LA 71461 81%684$51,042$124,500$108 cheaper homes ($39K less)
Bridgeport, WA 98813 81%2,026$49,969$177,000$202 younger residents
Tulsa, OK 74116 80%715$55,156$156,200$173 larger · younger residents · more walkable
May, TX 76857 80%956$51,152$142,600$132 older residents · more homeowners
La Crosse, VA 23950 79%278$41,010$166,300$188 larger · more single-family homes
Coward, SC 29530 79%238$44,012$116,800$125 cheaper homes ($46K less) · 8 min longer commute
Boston, GA 31626 79%373$52,026$200,000$184 pricier homes ($37K more) · older residents · more homeowners
Lily, KY 40740 79%82$63,701$111,100$140 cheaper homes ($52K less) · larger · more homeowners
Pioneer, LA 71266 79%536$59,554$119,400$184 cheaper homes ($44K less) · younger residents · more homeowners
Garrison, TX 75946 79%723$58,177$151,800— larger · more homeowners
Three Rivers, TX 78071 79%1,030$60,500$158,500— larger · more walkable
Grand View, ID 83624 79%1,811$44,583$273,400$231 pricier homes ($110K more) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Candor, NC 27229 78%193$51,436$128,800$210 cheaper homes ($34K less) · larger · more homeowners
Star, NC 27356 78%189$55,347$164,400$152 more homeowners

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.