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 Ketchikan, AK 99901

Ketchikan: median income $92,885, home value $393,300, $287/sq ft, 15-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Bishop, CA 93514 90%1,382$81,278$422,600$349 pricier homes ($29K more)
Laconia, NH 03246 89%2,728$73,241$339,700$305 cheaper homes ($54K less)
Colchester, VT 05446 87%2,620$97,475$393,200$282 6 min longer commute
Warrenton, OR 97146 86%721$82,936$463,800$313 pricier homes ($71K more) · smaller
Sheridan, WY 82801 85%1,307$73,213$386,500$274 larger · more single-family homes
Willits, CA 95490 85%1,165$79,594$392,700$254 5 min longer commute · more single-family homes
Yakima, WA 98908 85%769$84,197$383,900$242 larger
Suncook, NH 03275 84%2,749$82,910$336,500$284 cheaper homes ($57K less) · 10 min longer commute
Port Washington, WI 53074 84%2,094$79,423$296,600$233 cheaper homes ($97K less) · 6 min longer commute
Carson City, NV 89701 83%1,249$73,184$444,500$299 pricier homes ($51K more) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Junction City, OR 97448 83%858$81,029$478,700$288 pricier homes ($85K more) · 8 min longer commute · more single-family homes
Selah, WA 98942 83%770$84,646$382,300$239 5 min longer commute · more single-family homes
Plainville, CT 06062 82%2,759$84,310$253,900$247 cheaper homes ($139K less) · 7 min longer commute
New Holland, PA 17557 82%2,705$82,491$286,500$194 cheaper homes ($107K less) · 7 min longer commute
Spearfish, SD 57783 82%1,433$74,844$373,300$233 newer homes
Laurel, MT 59044 82%1,200$87,648$346,500$231 cheaper homes ($47K less) · 8 min longer commute · more single-family homes
Afton, WY 83110 82%1,274$86,731$381,100$250 smaller · younger residents · more single-family homes
Lewiston, ID 83501 82%894$73,629$340,600$224 cheaper homes ($53K less) · larger
Central Point, OR 97502 82%980$83,488$403,300$266 larger · more single-family homes · newer homes
Palmyra, PA 17078 81%2,675$93,135$305,700$190 cheaper homes ($88K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Bismarck, ND 58504 81%1,458$85,637$295,700$180 cheaper homes ($98K less) · larger
Craig, CO 81625 81%1,502$75,812$295,500$190 cheaper homes ($98K less) · 5 min longer commute
Tillamook, OR 97141 81%767$69,831$398,100$335 more single-family homes
Stayton, OR 97383 81%829$78,853$423,600$288 pricier homes ($30K more) · 8 min longer commute
Vancouver, WA 98664 81%782$85,369$467,200$296 pricier homes ($74K more) · larger · 8 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.