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 Jamestown, KY 42629

Jamestown: median income $36,484, home value $168,100, $140/sq ft, 22-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Mountain View, AR 72560 95%394$37,134$178,400$131 older residents
Osceola, MO 64776 89%480$44,880$149,100$126 smaller
Talihina, OK 74571 89%575$41,105$125,400$142 cheaper homes ($43K less) · smaller
Yanceyville, NC 27379 88%321$38,472$169,900$191 older homes
Bayboro, NC 28515 88%483$31,715$157,700$106 smaller · older homes
Broxton, GA 31519 88%388$36,834$138,400— cheaper homes ($30K less) · smaller
Stevenson, AL 35772 88%151$39,313$143,500$137 Very close on everything we compare
Cabool, MO 65689 88%387$44,231$169,300$110 older homes
Walnut, MS 38683 87%254$39,107$116,100$131 cheaper homes ($52K less) · younger residents
Austin, IN 47102 87%129$41,583$129,900$129 cheaper homes ($38K less) · older homes
Salem, AR 72576 87%378$39,812$110,600$114 cheaper homes ($58K less)
Independence, VA 24348 86%219$44,829$155,500$173 older homes
Marlinton, WV 24954 86%287$37,899$144,000$109 smaller · older homes
Johnston, SC 29832 86%286$42,500$130,600$127 cheaper homes ($38K less) · older homes
Quitman, GA 31643 86%437$37,043$107,900$128 cheaper homes ($60K less) · larger
Andrews, NC 28901 85%142$44,792$158,200$183 Very close on everything we compare
New Tazewell, TN 37825 85%89$49,625$165,400$148 larger
Ava, MO 65608 85%418$44,607$162,800$163 larger · younger residents
Stockton, MO 65785 85%481$50,086$175,000$153 Very close on everything we compare
Queen City, TX 75572 85%576$45,625$134,200$132 cheaper homes ($34K less) · smaller · younger residents
Chase City, VA 23924 84%367$44,291$146,900$122 older homes
Moorefield, WV 26836 84%361$47,770$151,100$159 Very close on everything we compare
Clarkton, NC 28433 84%401$36,944$163,600$141 9 min longer commute
Elk Park, NC 28622 84%182$44,028$169,900$199 smaller · older homes
Winfield, AL 35594 84%259$44,732$156,900$124 7 min longer commute

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.