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 Luna Pier, MI 48157

Luna Pier: median income $61,641, home value $188,800, $193/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Enon Valley, PA 16120 94%168$65,750$164,900$160 larger
Wampum, PA 16157 94%173$60,345$158,800$215 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
Alma, WI 54610 94%459$61,563$207,000$194 Very close on everything we compare
Valier, MT 59486 94%1,468$56,875$182,900$216 Very close on everything we compare
Mayfield, NY 12117 93%477$66,000$208,500$158 larger
Forestport, NY 13338 93%435$58,333$176,300$167 Very close on everything we compare
Rome City, IN 46784 93%103$62,102$220,400$193 pricier homes ($32K more) · larger
Randolph, ME 04346 92%710$66,574$174,300$199 Very close on everything we compare
Creekside, PA 15732 92%233$62,000$200,200— Very close on everything we compare
Sigel, PA 15860 92%229$65,774$148,800— cheaper homes ($40K less)
West Springfield, PA 16443 92%153$70,344$163,400$189 cheaper homes ($25K less)
Cameron, WV 26033 92%204$55,972$153,600— cheaper homes ($35K less)
Princeton, WI 54968 92%320$65,758$196,600$161 larger
North Benton, OH 44449 91%138$62,188$163,600$135 cheaper homes ($25K less)
Orfordville, WI 53576 91%303$63,750$225,000$197 pricier homes ($36K more) · larger
New Lebanon, NY 12125 90%517$55,625$275,900$211 pricier homes ($87K more)
Sterling, NY 13156 90%360$64,063$162,500$168 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger
Roann, IN 46974 90%142$61,528$179,600$139 Very close on everything we compare
New Harmony, IN 47631 90%348$66,058$197,100$191 larger · newer homes
Darlington, PA 16115 89%170$68,571$185,400$161 larger
Worthington, PA 16262 89%209$69,375$195,500$198 larger · newer homes
Hop Bottom, PA 18824 89%394$72,250$173,600$176 newer homes
North Jackson, OH 44451 89%143$61,250$241,100$193 pricier homes ($52K more) · larger · younger residents
Tabor, IA 51653 89%637$71,319$230,200$176 pricier homes ($41K more) · newer homes
Tigerton, WI 54486 89%347$60,528$159,800$200 cheaper homes ($29K less) · larger

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.