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 Fresno, OH 43824

Fresno: median income $54,757, home value $183,700, 25-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Willisburg, KY 40078 93%252$54,435$183,400$216 smaller
Blanchard, MI 49310 91%276$64,420$177,700$145 Very close on everything we compare
Leoma, TN 38468 90%472$61,887$207,200$195 Very close on everything we compare
Manton, MI 49663 89%336$55,733$156,100$177 cheaper homes ($28K less)
Auburn, KY 42206 88%360$66,815$167,700$171 Very close on everything we compare
Granton, WI 54436 88%529$61,048$168,000$156 smaller · older homes
London, AR 72847 88%716$61,158$161,200$170 smaller
Leesburg, AL 35983 87%480$63,793$174,300$187 more apartments and townhomes
Finger, TN 38334 87%508$66,563$150,900$144 cheaper homes ($33K less) · smaller
Seneca, MO 64865 87%733$60,846$205,100$111 older residents
Purdy, MO 65734 87%700$56,744$197,200$131 6 min shorter commute
Alexis, NC 28006 86%345$51,932$234,600$250 pricier homes ($51K more) · smaller
Boaz, AL 35956 86%493$61,290$181,900$137 larger · older residents
Michie, TN 38357 86%517$56,224$167,900$90 older residents
Grand Junction, MI 49056 86%262$63,438$158,500$196 cheaper homes ($25K less)
Granby, MO 64844 86%715$63,382$126,900$132 cheaper homes ($57K less)
Dixon, MO 65459 86%577$66,385$167,300$116 larger
Lake City, AR 72437 86%567$60,714$160,300$133 more renters
Manila, AR 72442 86%554$56,221$166,300$161 more renters
Thaxton, VA 24174 85%237$54,052$192,800$135 smaller · older residents · more apartments and townhomes
Wellington, AL 36279 85%506$53,024$159,100$131 more apartments and townhomes
Monterey, TN 38574 85%348$52,223$196,800$211 larger · older residents
Science Hill, KY 42553 85%270$52,737$154,500$165 cheaper homes ($29K less) · older residents
Medaryville, IN 47957 85%273$61,002$159,400$125 smaller · 5 min longer commute
Centreville, MI 49032 85%222$66,420$181,500$151 older residents

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.