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 Stratford, WI 54484

Stratford: median income $72,047, home value $248,600, $158/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Frazee, MN 56544 95%296$72,885$245,400$189 Very close on everything we compare
Meadowview, VA 24361 93%701$70,556$195,400$158 cheaper homes ($53K less)
Creston, OH 44217 93%489$73,603$199,200$186 cheaper homes ($49K less)
Shreve, OH 44676 93%496$75,738$180,000$164 cheaper homes ($69K less)
Fairland, IN 46126 93%415$70,607$263,300$157 Very close on everything we compare
New Haven, MO 63068 93%434$79,632$226,300$161 Very close on everything we compare
Cache, OK 73527 93%836$74,526$202,800$155 cheaper homes ($46K less)
Hico, TX 76457 93%985$72,238$264,100$164 Very close on everything we compare
Monroe, UT 84754 93%1,210$72,794$304,600$169 pricier homes ($56K more)
Cogan Station, PA 17728 92%697$77,165$235,500$172 older residents
Blue Ridge, VA 24064 92%738$73,583$271,300$162 7 min longer commute
Rainsville, AL 35986 92%745$68,056$221,600$159 cheaper homes ($27K less)
Utica, KY 42376 92%519$76,098$207,900$168 cheaper homes ($41K less)
Mc Comb, OH 45858 92%406$74,709$196,700$144 cheaper homes ($52K less) · smaller
Churubusco, IN 46723 92%343$84,286$219,300$167 cheaper homes ($29K less)
Birch Run, MI 48415 92%329$79,067$210,200$162 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger
Parma, MI 49269 92%324$86,699$217,100$164 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Bark River, MI 49807 92%152$75,329$178,800$135 cheaper homes ($70K less) · smaller
Bovey, MN 55709 92%235$75,652$225,700$168 7 min longer commute
New London, MO 63459 92%366$67,778$171,300$134 cheaper homes ($77K less)
Weimar, TX 78962 92%1,106$71,278$235,600$142 more renters
Fort Ann, NY 12827 91%826$81,424$218,000$175 cheaper homes ($31K less) · 6 min longer commute
Turbotville, PA 17772 91%719$81,146$241,900$136 smaller
Walkertown, NC 27051 91%789$74,804$209,900$181 cheaper homes ($39K less)
West Jefferson, OH 43162 91%481$76,250$213,800$175 cheaper homes ($35K less)

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.