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 Philo, OH 43771

Philo: median income $52,708, home value $153,100, $147/sq ft, 33-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Peachland, NC 28133 93%346$46,549$188,800$153 pricier homes ($36K more)
Bruce, WI 54819 93%613$56,650$162,500$138 Very close on everything we compare
Beaver Springs, PA 17812 92%255$59,338$160,100$171 smaller
Muir, MI 48860 92%271$50,600$180,300$147 pricier homes ($27K more) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Rossiter, PA 15772 90%172$62,727$133,700$164 Very close on everything we compare
Mayport, PA 16240 89%161$58,281$142,400$135 smaller
Richfield, PA 17086 89%259$61,875$194,200$107 pricier homes ($41K more)
Lilesville, NC 28091 89%353$52,917$152,900— 6 min shorter commute
Falmouth, KY 41040 89%153$49,147$137,500$144 larger
Crane, MO 65633 89%660$49,349$172,600$163 larger · newer homes
Olney Springs, CO 81062 89%1,185$56,250$127,300$122 cheaper homes ($26K less) · younger residents
Howland, ME 04448 88%769$54,750$152,000$148 older residents
Marion Center, PA 15759 88%166$57,132$168,600$119 Very close on everything we compare
Hopewell, PA 16650 88%192$62,426$157,700$132 Very close on everything we compare
Creston, NC 28615 88%235$51,653$152,600$201 Very close on everything we compare
Marlette, MI 48453 88%248$53,676$163,800$145 larger · younger residents
Springport, MI 49284 88%227$57,500$153,200$142 Very close on everything we compare
Luther, MI 49656 88%349$56,656$135,500$138 older residents
Petrolia, PA 16050 87%140$56,708$132,700$123 smaller
Victoria, VA 23974 87%281$51,409$134,500$141 larger · 5 min longer commute
Hurt, VA 24563 87%238$47,247$145,600$165 larger · older residents
Terra Alta, WV 26764 87%129$61,010$150,500$174 larger
Erwin, NC 28339 87%359$50,313$165,100$154 larger
Clifton, TN 38425 87%452$51,516$119,200$200 cheaper homes ($34K less) · larger
Irvington, KY 40146 87%272$54,167$150,600$165 larger · newer 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.