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 Ola, AR 72853

Ola: median income $35,262, home value $98,100, $108/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Gibsland, LA 71028 95%173$36,394$93,600— Very close on everything we compare
Jeffersonville, GA 31044 92%585$35,152$98,300$111 larger · more homeowners
Krotz Springs, LA 70750 92%322$38,466$96,100$133 smaller
Sulligent, AL 35586 91%300$38,286$115,300$89 larger
Henry, TN 38231 91%281$37,188$88,100$120 younger residents
Shelbiana, KY 41562 91%621$40,104$96,700— Very close on everything we compare
Preston, GA 31824 90%539$31,742$87,100$108 smaller
Hagerhill, KY 41222 90%607$40,859$105,100$81 Very close on everything we compare
Calhoun Falls, SC 29628 88%608$39,444$91,100$128 7 min longer commute
York, AL 36925 88%335$29,342$80,600— Very close on everything we compare
Jenkins, KY 41537 88%608$35,673$76,200$78 larger
Labadieville, LA 70372 88%382$40,659$105,200$119 Very close on everything we compare
Bayboro, NC 28515 87%930$31,715$157,700$106 pricier homes ($60K more)
Sardis, MS 38666 87%191$36,892$91,200$100 larger
Morgan, GA 39866 87%553$31,023$92,000— younger residents · 5 min longer commute
Clayton, OK 74536 87%127$39,750$118,100$145 5 min longer commute
Milan, NM 87021 87%829$40,129$128,100— pricier homes ($30K more)
Vernon, AL 35592 86%305$45,526$119,900$102 larger
Shellman, GA 39886 86%545$35,395$99,500$119 younger residents
Rockholds, KY 40759 86%524$34,909$97,300$137 larger · younger residents · newer homes
Wallins Creek, KY 40873 86%561$33,359$88,900$102 younger residents · 7 min longer commute
Worthville, KY 41098 86%514$33,125$86,300$105 older residents
Pennington Gap, VA 24277 85%582$31,737$86,200$92 larger
Richlands, VA 24641 85%652$35,531$107,600$96 larger · 7 min longer commute
Garysburg, NC 27831 85%882$36,136$87,300— older residents

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.