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 Hessmer, LA 71341

Hessmer: median income $50,029, home value $124,800, $103/sq ft, 49-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Hubbard, TX 76648 88%280$54,669$132,000$120 older residents
Midway, AL 36053 87%396$49,357$104,200— 6 min shorter commute
Laurel, IN 47024 87%701$57,316$153,300$125 pricier homes ($29K more) · 5 min shorter commute
Coalmont, TN 37313 86%476$43,218$161,800— pricier homes ($37K more) · smaller
Cadet, MO 63630 86%487$52,482$149,800$152 pricier homes ($25K more) · 6 min shorter commute
Jayess, MS 39641 84%118$65,010$119,800$117 larger
Gibson, GA 30810 83%579$54,429$122,100— 5 min longer commute · more renters
Milan, GA 31060 83%538$49,643$80,700— cheaper homes ($44K less) · older residents
Mc Kenzie, AL 36456 83%321$66,150$109,200— smaller
Kennard, TX 75847 83%179$42,188$121,700$88 smaller · older residents
Creswell, NC 27928 82%964$65,625$143,500$126 smaller
Eutawville, SC 29048 81%709$41,774$110,000$145 larger · more apartments and townhomes
Leakesville, MS 39451 81%212$67,576$112,100$101 larger · older residents
Shady Dale, GA 31085 80%524$46,375$116,100$200 smaller
Honoraville, AL 36042 80%343$61,120$111,000— smaller · 7 min shorter commute
Germantown, KY 41044 80%698$54,406$118,600$108 smaller · 10 min shorter commute
Otway, OH 45657 80%738$63,459$117,500$154 6 min shorter commute
Poulan, GA 31781 79%494$52,991$110,800$123 older residents · 11 min shorter commute
Autaugaville, AL 36003 79%333$42,554$145,700— smaller · 7 min shorter commute
Foxworth, MS 39483 79%131$36,992$80,600$96 cheaper homes ($44K less) · larger
Stockport, OH 43787 79%825$45,880$153,000$128 pricier homes ($28K more) · more single-family homes · older homes
Danese, WV 25831 78%795$46,800$109,500$143 smaller · older residents
Waynesburg, KY 40489 78%609$56,034$91,200$157 cheaper homes ($34K less) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Corning, OH 43730 78%818$45,313$172,900$131 pricier homes ($48K more) · older residents · 9 min shorter commute
Patriot, OH 45658 78%766$64,162$116,600— more homeowners

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.