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 Clay City, IN 47841

Clay City: median income $71,346, home value $116,300, $135/sq ft, 32-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
West Winfield, NY 13491 94%669$72,917$151,400$118 pricier homes ($35K more)
New Franklin, MO 65274 93%302$69,833$158,100$139 pricier homes ($42K more)
Wayland, NY 14572 92%546$72,557$116,200$121 larger
Fillmore, NY 14735 92%519$69,891$108,600$111 newer homes
De Ruyter, NY 13052 91%633$76,750$134,400$197 Very close on everything we compare
Van Etten, NY 14889 91%587$61,944$147,800$112 pricier homes ($32K more) · smaller
Dawson, PA 15428 91%400$70,368$123,200$135 Very close on everything we compare
Stoneboro, PA 16153 91%396$63,750$149,300— pricier homes ($33K more)
Alexandria, PA 16611 91%486$70,887$167,500— pricier homes ($51K more)
Breckenridge, MI 48615 91%315$70,000$143,400$120 pricier homes ($27K more)
Berkshire, NY 13736 90%608$65,880$140,700$124 Very close on everything we compare
Columbus Junction, IA 52738 90%261$80,385$145,700$117 pricier homes ($29K more)
Greenfield, IL 62044 90%166$71,146$113,000$171 Very close on everything we compare
Newburg, MO 65550 90%275$71,275$146,900$158 pricier homes ($31K more) · newer homes
Belfast, NY 14711 89%516$65,938$100,100$90 Very close on everything we compare
Little Valley, NY 14755 89%480$66,103$126,700$129 7 min shorter commute
Saltsburg, PA 15681 89%418$73,130$155,600$110 pricier homes ($39K more) · larger
Milroy, PA 17063 89%515$75,444$135,200$113 Very close on everything we compare
Kenbridge, VA 23944 89%514$59,321$146,700$144 pricier homes ($30K more) · larger
Union City, MI 49094 89%218$65,404$143,800$141 pricier homes ($28K more)
Bishop, TX 78343 89%1,014$65,467$112,200$120 larger · newer homes
Lacona, NY 13083 88%647$71,667$139,900$141 newer homes
Hammond, NY 13646 88%688$72,212$155,100$213 pricier homes ($39K more)
Greensboro, PA 15338 88%384$67,981$83,700$122 cheaper homes ($33K less) · smaller
Sandy Lake, PA 16145 88%398$67,321$180,100$150 pricier homes ($64K more)

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.