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 Saint Michael, ND 58370

Saint Michael: median income $43,750, home value $101,800, 15-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
White Swan, WA 98952 88%1,030$50,417$102,300— larger
Taholah, WA 98587 86%1,178$51,458$112,300— older residents
Winterhaven, CA 92283 85%1,323$43,393$94,200— larger
Poplar, MT 59255 84%292$45,379$91,800— larger
Golden, MS 38847 83%1,083$50,353$115,700$119 larger
Gamaliel, KY 42140 83%1,026$46,813$91,900$127 8 min longer commute
Iraan, TX 79744 83%1,190$42,039$101,100— older residents
Cloverport, KY 40111 82%937$41,576$118,400$131 larger · older residents · 8 min longer commute
Arkoma, OK 74901 82%903$43,929$83,600$118 larger · older residents · more renters
Fort Washakie, WY 82514 81%594$31,667$92,200— more renters
Nespelem, WA 99155 81%927$50,909$143,100— pricier homes ($41K more) · older residents
Eldridge, AL 35554 80%1,132$49,250$112,000— 9 min longer commute
Altus, AR 72821 80%906$37,083$100,000$97 larger · older residents · 7 min longer commute
Hartman, AR 72840 80%907$49,750$93,200$123 larger · older residents · 5 min longer commute
Premont, TX 78375 79%1,426$47,941$91,900— larger · more renters · more walkable
Hays, MT 59527 78%454$54,500$80,800— more renters
La Belle, MO 63447 78%643$43,478$94,400— 9 min longer commute · older homes
Hatfield, AR 71945 78%961$38,090$111,000$92 older residents · 8 min longer commute
Mannsville, OK 73447 78%959$49,904$97,700$134 older residents · 9 min longer commute · newer homes
Sudan, TX 79371 78%980$64,917$101,600$90 Very close on everything we compare
Presidio, TX 79845 78%1,306$42,818$96,800— larger · more walkable · newer homes
Princeton, ME 04668 77%1,487$48,720$117,700— larger · older residents
Belle Rive, IL 62810 77%845$57,969$117,700— 8 min longer commute
Sierra Blanca, TX 79851 77%1,209$55,500$62,600— cheaper homes ($39K less)
Montezuma, GA 31063 76%1,333$52,381$111,900$41 larger · older 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.