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 Sheridan, MT 59749

Sheridan: median income $80,238, home value $382,400, $332/sq ft, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Ottertail, MN 56571 96%801$85,865$363,100$291 Very close on everything we compare
Crosslake, MN 56442 94%868$79,896$479,800$349 pricier homes ($97K more)
Tamworth, NH 03886 93%1,992$74,450$368,200$274 Very close on everything we compare
Hazelhurst, WI 54531 93%1,081$84,286$344,900$286 cheaper homes ($38K less)
Tower, MN 55790 93%955$77,232$328,900$339 cheaper homes ($54K less)
Freedom, NH 03836 92%2,003$66,136$389,000$344 Very close on everything we compare
Swanton, MD 21561 92%1,716$73,858$328,700$295 cheaper homes ($54K less)
Saluda, NC 28773 92%1,709$70,703$413,700$319 pricier homes ($31K more) · larger
Battle Lake, MN 56515 92%793$73,750$398,500$251 Very close on everything we compare
Rocky Mount, MO 65072 92%1,113$78,750$335,700$286 cheaper homes ($47K less)
Georgetown, ME 04548 91%2,065$84,250$427,200$321 pricier homes ($45K more) · smaller
Lakemont, GA 30552 91%1,677$66,316$354,700$390 cheaper homes ($28K less)
Nevis, MN 56467 91%834$74,297$318,000$263 cheaper homes ($64K less)
Dent, MN 56528 91%790$79,500$319,300$248 cheaper homes ($63K less)
Craryville, NY 12521 90%1,915$75,652$338,700$290 cheaper homes ($44K less) · younger residents
Chestertown, NY 12817 90%1,876$93,393$327,600$316 cheaper homes ($55K less)
Maggie Valley, NC 28751 90%1,663$69,057$313,500$292 cheaper homes ($69K less) · larger
Custer, SD 57730 90%447$83,469$378,800$279 larger
Mackay, ID 83251 90%126$73,482$366,900$286 6 min shorter commute
Bridport, VT 05734 89%1,891$81,250$358,600$329 smaller · younger residents
Margaretville, NY 12455 89%1,869$85,926$255,100$264 cheaper homes ($127K less)
Reedville, VA 22539 89%1,908$89,200$411,400$302 pricier homes ($29K more) · older residents
White Stone, VA 22578 89%1,910$80,783$441,600$252 pricier homes ($59K more)
Sarona, WI 54870 89%985$67,063$296,100$330 cheaper homes ($86K less)
Stone Lake, WI 54876 89%996$72,794$282,100$340 cheaper homes ($100K 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.