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 Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Fort Bragg: median income $57,759, home value $554,200, $396/sq ft, 17-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Lincoln City, OR 97367 91%378$58,472$424,300$350 cheaper homes ($130K less)
Seaside, OR 97138 90%453$60,411$483,800$387 cheaper homes ($70K less)
Port Angeles, WA 98362 86%599$70,123$403,300$298 cheaper homes ($151K less) · larger
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 85%668$74,782$589,600$419 pricier homes ($35K more) · larger
Hamilton, MT 59840 83%675$61,752$428,100$343 cheaper homes ($126K less) · less walkable
Tillamook, OR 97141 83%415$69,831$398,100$335 cheaper homes ($156K less) · younger residents
Port Angeles, WA 98363 83%595$64,869$385,100$331 cheaper homes ($169K less) · more homeowners
Grants Pass, OR 97526 81%210$61,019$399,700$251 cheaper homes ($155K less) · larger
Hyannis, MA 02601 79%2,766$61,143$440,100$406 cheaper homes ($114K less) · younger residents · more apartments and townhomes
Newport, OR 97365 79%360$64,363$441,700$344 cheaper homes ($113K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Bandon, OR 97411 76%255$50,993$455,800$358 cheaper homes ($98K less) · smaller · older residents
West Yarmouth, MA 02673 75%2,769$73,854$502,200$411 cheaper homes ($52K less) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Polson, MT 59860 75%745$62,047$441,500$309 cheaper homes ($113K less) · less walkable · newer homes
Missoula, MT 59804 74%703$76,266$588,400$351 pricier homes ($34K more) · smaller
Sandpoint, ID 83864 74%710$70,496$516,500$381 cheaper homes ($38K less) · more homeowners · less walkable
The Dalles, OR 97058 74%445$62,181$370,100$252 cheaper homes ($184K less) · younger residents
Chelan, WA 98816 74%610$82,577$499,200$421 cheaper homes ($55K less) · smaller · newer homes
Livingston, MT 59047 73%796$71,620$456,800$325 cheaper homes ($97K less) · younger residents · 9 min longer commute
Boulder City, NV 89005 73%544$74,375$435,600$289 cheaper homes ($119K less) · 6 min longer commute · more homeowners
Junction City, OR 97448 73%330$81,029$478,700$288 cheaper homes ($76K less) · younger residents
Brookings, OR 97415 72%182$69,152$394,800$316 cheaper homes ($159K less) · older residents · more apartments and townhomes
Grants Pass, OR 97527 72%206$66,975$429,700$264 cheaper homes ($125K less) · larger · newer homes
Cape Charles, VA 23310 71%2,563$62,500$377,300$318 cheaper homes ($177K less) · smaller · older residents
Carson City, NV 89701 71%216$73,184$444,500$299 cheaper homes ($110K less) · larger · younger residents
Astoria, OR 97103 71%464$75,147$460,100$292 cheaper homes ($94K less) · younger residents · 7 min longer commute

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.