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 Toledo, IL 62468

Toledo: median income $75,625, home value $123,500, $92/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Wellsville, MO 63384 97%178$78,281$128,600$79 Very close on everything we compare
Winthrop, NY 13697 96%786$75,953$128,100$103 Very close on everything we compare
Weedville, PA 15868 95%532$70,395$112,200— smaller
Oran, MO 63771 94%170$70,603$133,400$117 Very close on everything we compare
Townville, PA 16360 93%470$71,528$161,500$96 pricier homes ($38K more) · smaller
Twin Valley, MN 56584 93%682$69,625$131,600$85 smaller
Red Lake Falls, MN 56750 93%717$71,875$165,300$105 pricier homes ($42K more)
Waverly, KS 66871 93%400$71,094$145,100— smaller
Munnsville, NY 13409 92%706$72,333$137,300— more apartments and townhomes
Sherman, NY 14781 92%495$61,625$145,300$103 Very close on everything we compare
Campbell, NY 14821 92%612$77,609$140,700$137 Very close on everything we compare
Williamsport, IN 47993 92%84$72,455$158,400$127 pricier homes ($35K more)
Nashua, IA 50658 92%338$71,936$155,100$68 pricier homes ($32K more)
Eddyville, IA 52553 92%265$64,583$150,000— pricier homes ($27K more)
Edgemont, SD 57735 92%853$71,576$165,600— pricier homes ($42K more)
Comanche, OK 73529 92%635$70,143$114,200$118 larger
Cordell, OK 73632 92%650$72,571$114,600$74 Very close on everything we compare
Sonora, TX 76950 92%923$78,844$157,000$104 pricier homes ($34K more)
Alum Creek, WV 25003 91%354$64,631$114,900— older residents
New Paris, OH 45347 91%189$63,025$136,700$106 larger
Fairmount, IN 46928 91%158$67,412$126,300$104 larger
Montpelier, IN 47359 91%182$71,607$121,900$112 larger
Wheeler, MI 48662 91%347$70,321$131,100$101 smaller
Victor, IA 52347 91%271$78,482$144,700$85 smaller
New London, IA 52645 91%201$79,327$159,700$113 pricier homes ($36K more)

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.