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 Mayville, ND 58257

Mayville: median income $60,395, home value $196,200, $242/sq ft, 15-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Chadron, NE 69337 85%425$54,306$163,800— cheaper homes ($32K less) · larger
Wayne, NE 68787 83%364$60,275$230,700— pricier homes ($35K more) · larger · younger residents
Lamoni, IA 50140 78%504$57,443$121,900— cheaper homes ($74K less)
Volga, SD 57071 78%220$77,138$246,000— pricier homes ($50K more) · newer homes
Canaan, CT 06018 77%1,231$68,917$280,200$195 pricier homes ($84K more) · older residents · 7 min longer commute
Goodwell, OK 73939 77%781$72,813$163,900— cheaper homes ($32K less) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Littleton, NH 03561 76%1,242$56,746$282,900$213 pricier homes ($87K more) · larger · older residents
Northport, AL 35476 76%1,109$61,154$221,400$176 pricier homes ($25K more) · larger · older residents
Mesa, WA 99343 76%1,026$59,451$253,000— pricier homes ($57K more) · younger residents · more homeowners
Tannersville, NY 12485 75%1,188$67,165$316,700$201 pricier homes ($121K more) · smaller
Mansfield, PA 16933 75%1,066$65,096$210,300$146 larger · older residents
Wagner, SD 57380 75%309$62,135$157,600$144 cheaper homes ($39K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Delhi, NY 13753 74%1,149$70,000$216,200$160 larger · more homeowners
Morris, MN 56267 74%148$74,442$236,800$133 pricier homes ($41K more) · larger
Kansas City, MO 64137 74%608$66,036$181,700$147 larger · older residents · 5 min longer commute
Old Town, ME 04468 73%1,373$56,358$203,700$192 larger · older residents · 6 min longer commute
Martin, SD 57551 73%368$70,096$161,900— cheaper homes ($34K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Brewer, ME 04412 72%1,372$66,613$245,300$194 pricier homes ($49K more) · larger · older residents
Potsdam, NY 13676 72%1,085$56,170$160,200$147 cheaper homes ($36K less) · larger
Kimberly, WI 54136 72%486$69,495$220,700$183 larger · older residents
Hardin, MT 59034 72%503$60,726$169,800$140 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger · older residents
Alamosa, CO 81101 72%818$54,844$240,400$183 pricier homes ($44K more) · larger · newer homes
Boron, CA 93516 72%1,357$61,000$126,600$151 cheaper homes ($70K less) · 7 min longer commute
Ada, OH 45810 71%813$63,451$167,900$138 cheaper homes ($28K less) · larger · younger residents
Fort Branch, IN 47648 71%806$65,000$213,000$168 larger · more homeowners · more single-family homes

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.