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 Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Friday Harbor: median income $88,556, home value $801,200, $492/sq ft, 14-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Estes Park, CO 80517 93%1,031$95,404$701,700$415 cheaper homes ($100K less)
Salida, CO 81201 85%1,097$80,248$674,000$428 cheaper homes ($127K less) · younger residents
Brewster, MA 02631 83%2,573$102,132$700,500$488 cheaper homes ($101K less) · 7 min longer commute
Whitefish, MT 59937 83%400$75,428$698,200$567 cheaper homes ($103K less) · larger · younger residents
Buena Vista, CO 81211 82%1,076$88,083$677,400$409 cheaper homes ($124K less) · younger residents · 6 min longer commute
McCall, ID 83638 82%417$75,217$730,400$484 cheaper homes ($71K less) · younger residents
Ivins, UT 84738 82%916$77,993$592,900$344 cheaper homes ($208K less) · newer homes
Bigfork, MT 59911 81%416$83,019$666,400$456 cheaper homes ($135K less) · 11 min longer commute
Sisters, OR 97759 81%302$102,734$777,700$425 9 min longer commute
Saint Michaels, MD 21663 80%2,397$89,775$650,500$438 cheaper homes ($151K less) · smaller · 9 min longer commute
Highlands, NC 28741 79%2,223$70,392$631,000$625 cheaper homes ($170K less) · smaller · older residents
Sedona, AZ 86336 79%1,111$68,435$774,800$468 cheaper homes ($26K less) · 7 min longer commute
Nevada City, CA 95959 78%647$86,524$627,100$324 cheaper homes ($174K less) · larger · 8 min longer commute
York, ME 03909 77%2,501$115,608$638,400$414 higher income ($27K more) · cheaper homes ($163K less) · 6 min longer commute
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 77%2,457$97,948$639,400$351 cheaper homes ($162K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Eastham, MA 02642 75%2,574$72,992$732,200$546 cheaper homes ($69K less) · smaller · older residents
Harwich, MA 02645 75%2,575$104,401$648,200$483 cheaper homes ($153K less) · 10 min longer commute
Wolfeboro, NH 03894 75%2,463$94,349$548,600$347 cheaper homes ($253K less) · 10 min longer commute
Cambria, CA 93428 75%903$99,762$932,500$691 pricier homes ($131K more) · older residents · 8 min longer commute
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 74%1,122$84,270$486,000$342 cheaper homes ($315K less) · 8 min longer commute
Moultonborough, NH 03254 73%2,450$106,440$641,300$374 cheaper homes ($160K less) · smaller · 8 min longer commute
Prescott, AZ 86305 73%1,081$80,436$655,600$323 cheaper homes ($146K less) · larger · older residents
Sedona, AZ 86351 73%1,113$81,203$738,000$432 cheaper homes ($63K less) · older residents · 7 min longer commute
Santa Fe, NM 87506 73%1,236$96,511$611,800$464 cheaper homes ($189K less) · larger · 12 min longer commute
Dennis, MA 02638 72%2,568$108,726$827,900$478 pricier homes ($27K more) · smaller · 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.