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 Big Stone City, SD 57216

Big Stone City: median income $88,203, home value $201,300, $197/sq ft, 14-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Circle, MT 59215 88%456$86,000$216,000— smaller
Genesee, PA 16923 87%961$73,864$173,900— cheaper homes ($27K less) · 6 min longer commute
Doniphan, NE 68832 87%325$96,641$250,000$154 pricier homes ($49K more) · 5 min longer commute
Wall Lake, IA 51466 86%221$71,579$179,600$245 smaller
Hankinson, ND 58041 86%56$85,368$162,900$203 cheaper homes ($38K less) · 6 min longer commute
Basin, WY 82410 86%566$68,839$197,300$155 younger residents
New Columbia, PA 17856 85%1,030$91,661$197,600$178 larger · younger residents
North Webster, IN 46555 85%609$70,399$203,400$188 larger · 7 min longer commute
Garner, IA 50438 85%210$70,350$197,600$153 larger
Milnor, ND 58060 85%77$77,143$167,800$167 cheaper homes ($34K less) · younger residents
Verona, NY 13478 84%1,047$83,986$185,800$196 larger · younger residents
Hartington, NE 68739 84%187$90,500$218,400$152 larger · younger residents
Watauga, TN 37694 83%966$81,250$203,300$190 6 min longer commute · newer homes
Kawkawlin, MI 48631 83%629$74,398$172,200$158 cheaper homes ($29K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Delhi, IA 52223 83%327$89,250$204,000$242 older residents · 8 min longer commute
Auburndale, WI 54412 83%323$83,576$217,100$187 8 min longer commute
Mountain Iron, MN 55768 83%243$86,075$198,500$145 larger · younger residents
Garrison, ND 58540 83%291$76,319$228,000$207 pricier homes ($27K more) · larger · 10 min longer commute
New England, ND 58647 83%313$84,583$227,300$133 pricier homes ($26K more) · smaller · older homes
Neoga, IL 62447 83%584$87,292$154,400$151 cheaper homes ($47K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Sutton, NE 68979 83%330$85,862$157,900$169 cheaper homes ($43K less) · 5 min longer commute · older homes
Dove Creek, CO 81324 83%822$71,630$223,100— more apartments and townhomes
Frewsburg, NY 14738 82%897$80,103$150,800$192 cheaper homes ($51K less) · larger · younger residents
East New Market, MD 21631 82%1,151$73,864$306,700$198 pricier homes ($105K more) · larger
Oakfield, WI 53065 82%410$99,583$261,800$174 pricier homes ($61K more) · younger residents · 6 min longer 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.