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 Shelbyville, TX 75973

Shelbyville: median income $67,023, home value $130,800, 41-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Verbena, AL 36091 92%442$61,214$115,100$165 Very close on everything we compare
Gates, NC 27937 91%1,037$70,086$160,000$195 pricier homes ($29K more) · younger residents
Speedwell, TN 37870 91%667$55,516$126,400$205 larger
Westville, FL 32464 90%479$57,524$95,900$150 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Holt, FL 32564 90%433$59,875$162,800$252 pricier homes ($32K more)
Silas, AL 36919 90%333$59,091$100,300— cheaper homes ($31K less)
Wallingford, KY 41093 90%745$60,350$123,800$131 younger residents
Florien, LA 71429 90%33$58,601$111,700$135 Very close on everything we compare
Wagram, NC 28396 89%869$63,250$158,900$179 pricier homes ($28K more)
Baileyton, AL 35019 89%461$62,083$131,800$169 7 min shorter commute
Gilbertown, AL 36908 89%332$68,125$111,400— younger residents
Raleigh, MS 39153 89%263$60,833$99,200$312 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Brooksville, KY 41004 89%736$66,176$119,100$110 larger · younger residents · 6 min shorter commute
Converse, LA 71419 89%16$71,875$114,000$142 younger residents
Creswell, NC 27928 88%1,046$65,625$143,500$126 younger residents
Richton, MS 39476 88%299$58,919$145,300$142 larger
Salt Lick, KY 40371 88%733$62,917$148,100$152 6 min shorter commute
Springfield, AR 72157 88%259$62,931$140,300— smaller · younger residents
Wellston, OK 74881 88%326$60,923$146,000$146 larger · younger residents
Ohatchee, AL 36271 87%483$68,250$135,900$187 larger
Roxie, MS 39661 87%172$63,125$86,600— cheaper homes ($44K less) · 6 min longer commute
Locust Fork, AL 35097 86%452$58,056$150,500— 7 min shorter commute
Saltillo, TN 38370 86%416$66,218$120,900$148 smaller
Marietta, MS 38856 86%373$66,686$135,700$81 smaller · more single-family homes
Coila, MS 38923 86%259$62,391$101,800— cheaper homes ($29K less) · smaller

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.