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 Afton, WY 83110

Afton: median income $86,731, home value $381,100, $250/sq ft, 15-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Heyburn, ID 83336 89%144$71,191$298,800$219 cheaper homes ($82K less)
Bridgewater, VA 22812 88%1,693$85,941$366,900$206 larger
Wanchese, NC 27981 87%1,931$88,750$311,800$185 cheaper homes ($69K less) · smaller
Laurel, MT 59044 87%231$87,648$346,500$231 cheaper homes ($35K less) · larger · 8 min longer commute
Selah, WA 98942 87%545$84,646$382,300$239 larger
Kodiak, AK 99615 87%2,094$88,456$424,000$273 pricier homes ($43K more) · larger
East Earl, PA 17519 86%1,805$96,250$330,400$196 cheaper homes ($51K less) · 5 min longer commute
Stevens, PA 17578 86%1,796$81,990$314,900$196 cheaper homes ($66K less) · 6 min longer commute
Grangeville, ID 83530 86%338$79,477$324,000$269 cheaper homes ($57K less) · older residents
Exeter, CA 93221 86%621$86,940$360,900$269 larger · 5 min longer commute
Zillah, WA 98953 86%525$84,766$368,300$216 8 min longer commute
Delta Junction, AK 99737 86%2,009$83,107$312,600$199 cheaper homes ($69K less) · more single-family homes
Perham, MN 56573 85%800$68,770$286,500$183 cheaper homes ($95K less)
Thatcher, AZ 85552 85%685$88,454$290,900$194 cheaper homes ($90K less) · 5 min longer commute
Fowler, CA 93625 85%626$72,500$392,700$253 larger · 6 min longer commute
Harrisburg, OR 97446 85%620$78,229$339,300$289 cheaper homes ($42K less) · 7 min longer commute · more homeowners
Leola, PA 17540 84%1,797$91,895$339,200$185 cheaper homes ($42K less) · larger · 7 min longer commute
Saint Joseph, MN 56374 84%845$80,156$292,000$174 cheaper homes ($89K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Kenai, AK 99611 84%2,073$79,757$308,500$245 cheaper homes ($73K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Vernon, VT 05354 83%1,933$85,682$285,100$204 cheaper homes ($96K less) · smaller · older residents
Strasburg, PA 17579 83%1,800$91,621$349,400$240 cheaper homes ($32K less) · 10 min longer commute
Bowling Green, VA 22427 83%1,794$81,488$315,700$214 cheaper homes ($65K less) · 9 min longer commute
Kalona, IA 52247 83%988$91,450$298,900$151 cheaper homes ($82K less)
Ronan, MT 59864 83%368$61,978$297,700$274 cheaper homes ($83K less)
Brush, CO 80723 83%415$75,691$306,500$167 cheaper homes ($75K less) · 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.