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 Columbus, OH 43215

Columbus: median income $74,087, home value $551,200, $287/sq ft, 17-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Portland, OR 97209 91%2,028$80,301$587,300$343 pricier homes ($36K more) · older residents
Nashville, TN 37203 89%335$71,281$549,000$460 Very close on everything we compare
Dallas, TX 75204 87%911$92,253$479,500$314 cheaper homes ($72K less) · larger
Indianapolis, IN 46204 86%168$86,396$381,400$234 cheaper homes ($170K less) · smaller
Addison, TX 75001 85%907$73,514$468,800$259 cheaper homes ($82K less) · less walkable
Phoenix, AZ 85004 84%1,663$73,750$417,400$331 cheaper homes ($134K less)
Portland, OR 97201 82%2,029$63,250$673,600$303 pricier homes ($122K more) · older homes
Raleigh, NC 27605 81%373$71,096$540,000$389 smaller · older homes
Orlando, FL 32801 81%795$80,871$428,000$274 cheaper homes ($123K less) · 8 min longer commute
Atlanta, GA 30308 80%435$85,693$390,200$359 cheaper homes ($161K less) · 5 min longer commute · more homeowners
Oklahoma City, OK 73104 80%850$66,042$408,100$255 cheaper homes ($143K less) · smaller
Charlotte, NC 28202 79%348$105,889$443,500$361 higher income ($32K more) · cheaper homes ($108K less)
Charlotte, NC 28204 79%349$92,054$585,200$326 pricier homes ($34K more) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Houston, TX 77030 79%997$77,336$631,400$317 pricier homes ($80K more) · more homeowners · more single-family homes
Tampa, FL 33602 77%830$97,320$653,100$431 pricier homes ($102K more)
Salt Lake City, UT 84101 77%1,515$72,735$499,300$474 cheaper homes ($52K less) · smaller
Atlanta, GA 30312 76%436$82,779$530,600$310 larger · 8 min longer commute · more homeowners
Dallas, TX 75219 76%912$102,364$388,600$304 higher income ($28K more) · cheaper homes ($163K less) · more homeowners
Memphis, TN 38103 75%510$76,278$397,300$207 cheaper homes ($154K less) · less walkable
Saint Paul, MN 55114 74%623$62,766$319,800$230 cheaper homes ($231K less) · smaller · less walkable
Minneapolis, MN 55401 73%627$113,522$396,500$318 higher income ($39K more) · cheaper homes ($155K less) · smaller
Irving, TX 75039 73%915$104,853$597,800$234 higher income ($31K more) · pricier homes ($47K more) · less walkable
Dallas, TX 75206 73%909$91,023$615,400$363 pricier homes ($64K more) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Atlanta, GA 30346 72%424$95,000$595,900$323 pricier homes ($45K more) · smaller · 5 min longer commute
Stamford, CT 06901 71%503$102,641$478,700$463 higher income ($29K more) · cheaper homes ($73K 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.