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 Gilbert, IA 50105

Gilbert: median income $130,083, home value $275,400, $304/sq ft, 18-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Edgecomb, ME 04556 89%1,215$108,750$348,400$296 pricier homes ($73K more)
Thompson, ND 58278 88%426$111,250$313,400$209 pricier homes ($38K more)
Nobleboro, ME 04555 84%1,222$100,417$352,600$348 lower income ($30K less) · pricier homes ($77K more)
West Sand Lake, NY 12196 84%1,021$110,889$317,300$241 pricier homes ($42K more) · larger
Cottekill, NY 12419 84%1,001$121,776$354,900$388 pricier homes ($80K more)
Jefferson, SD 57038 84%154$106,250$332,300$185 pricier homes ($57K more)
Plainfield, NH 03781 83%1,084$109,659$426,400$270 pricier homes ($151K more) · younger residents
East Montpelier, VT 05651 83%1,073$103,393$393,500$201 lower income ($27K less) · pricier homes ($118K more)
Campton, NH 03223 82%1,114$118,534$356,400$266 pricier homes ($81K more) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Boston, NY 14025 82%760$115,188$267,200$248 larger · older residents · 6 min longer commute
Mantorville, MN 55955 82%142$132,524$405,700$240 pricier homes ($130K more) · larger · 7 min longer commute
Spofford, NH 03462 81%1,080$115,313$396,200$210 pricier homes ($121K more) · more renters
Manchester, ME 04351 81%1,202$92,031$299,600$210 lower income ($38K less) · larger
Cropseyville, NY 12052 81%1,027$118,424$243,500$233 cheaper homes ($32K less) · 7 min longer commute
Perkinsville, VT 05151 80%1,073$96,836$265,600$261 lower income ($33K less) · younger residents · 6 min longer commute
Arlington, VT 05250 80%1,041$96,250$300,700$267 lower income ($34K less) · pricier homes ($25K more) · larger
Bolton, CT 06043 80%1,087$126,364$367,600$257 pricier homes ($92K more) · larger · 7 min longer commute
Poestenkill, NY 12140 80%1,023$138,393$301,600$275 pricier homes ($26K more) · 7 min longer commute · less walkable
Modena, NY 12548 80%1,003$132,083$428,800— pricier homes ($153K more) · 5 min longer commute
Esko, MN 55733 80%324$118,260$353,400$229 pricier homes ($78K more) · larger
Kindred, ND 58051 80%355$107,396$331,100$241 pricier homes ($56K more) · younger residents · 6 min longer commute
Groveland, IL 61535 80%237$128,125$242,900$163 cheaper homes ($33K less)
Towanda, IL 61776 80%269$119,625$211,300$177 cheaper homes ($64K less)
Malcolm, NE 68402 80%186$123,000$449,000$241 pricier homes ($174K more) · younger residents · 5 min longer commute
Palmer Lake, CO 80133 80%626$120,625$482,500$254 pricier homes ($207K more) · 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.