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 Harsens Island, MI 48028

Harsens Island: median income $109,730, home value $390,800, $248/sq ft, 39-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Petersham, MA 01366 80%529$110,750$392,400$305 younger residents
Rye, CO 81069 79%1,217$97,513$364,700$178 cheaper homes ($26K less) · younger residents
Kintnersville, PA 18930 78%407$127,072$524,000$253 pricier homes ($133K more) · younger residents
Washington, NH 03280 77%533$90,096$355,200$289 cheaper homes ($36K less) · younger residents · newer homes
East Hartland, CT 06027 76%495$115,938$348,100$195 cheaper homes ($43K less) · younger residents · 6 min shorter commute
Rochdale, MA 01542 74%545$96,111$405,100$289 larger · younger residents · 7 min shorter commute
Woodstock Valley, CT 06282 74%538$91,780$353,400$312 cheaper homes ($37K less) · more renters · newer homes
Shokan, NY 12481 74%430$124,286$303,900$336 cheaper homes ($87K less) · younger residents · 8 min shorter commute
Cataldo, ID 83810 74%1,673$132,344$570,600$317 pricier homes ($180K more) · 8 min longer commute
Pilot Hill, CA 95664 74%2,013$117,901$506,500$302 pricier homes ($116K more) · 7 min shorter commute · newer homes
Rhododendron, OR 97049 74%1,946$92,056$474,200$284 pricier homes ($83K more) · younger residents
Weems, VA 22576 73%469$104,948$414,000$264 younger residents · newer homes
Cascade, CO 80809 73%1,196$93,750$480,600$344 pricier homes ($90K more) · younger residents · more renters
Grapeview, WA 98546 73%1,976$97,159$494,500$336 pricier homes ($104K more) · larger · younger residents
Blandford, MA 01008 72%493$97,554$295,200$257 cheaper homes ($96K less) · younger residents
Colebrook, CT 06021 72%487$111,250$342,800$292 cheaper homes ($48K less) · younger residents
Copake, NY 12516 72%462$128,750$309,700$292 cheaper homes ($81K less) · larger · younger residents
Bristol, IL 60512 72%306$96,895$352,200$239 cheaper homes ($39K less) · younger residents · more walkable
Ottsville, PA 18942 71%411$100,417$512,200$423 pricier homes ($121K more) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Solon Springs, WI 54873 71%526$88,359$253,100$243 cheaper homes ($138K less) · larger · younger residents
Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837 70%573$119,712$409,600$286 younger residents · 6 min shorter commute · newer homes
Diamond Point, NY 12824 70%453$108,533$425,900$266 pricier homes ($35K more) · younger residents
Henderson, NY 13650 70%331$94,318$209,100$308 cheaper homes ($182K less) · 8 min shorter commute
Columbia, VA 23038 70%409$87,083$434,400$190 pricier homes ($44K more) · younger residents · 7 min shorter commute
Waldo, OH 43356 70%149$92,870$250,500— cheaper homes ($140K less) · younger residents · 6 min shorter 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.