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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 Newton, MA 02458

Newton: median income $153,520, home value $1,136,100, $544/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Newtonville, MA 02460 92%1$177,837$1,224,600$588 pricier homes ($89K more)
Arlington, MA 02474 91%5$150,560$933,200$598 cheaper homes ($203K less) · larger
Arlington, MA 02476 89%4$151,131$934,800$609 cheaper homes ($201K less) · older residents
Belmont, MA 02478 88%3$183,137$1,159,000$601 higher income ($30K more) · larger
Auburndale, MA 02466 83%3$170,089$1,174,000$561 pricier homes ($38K more) · smaller · newer homes
Alexandria, VA 22301 82%393$194,819$1,027,900$616 higher income ($41K more) · cheaper homes ($108K less) · newer homes
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 81%166$165,417$765,500$537 cheaper homes ($371K less) · newer homes
Washington, DC 20016 81%389$178,920$1,216,000$565 higher income ($25K more) · pricier homes ($80K more) · larger
Albany, CA 94706 81%2,677$143,398$1,203,500$836 pricier homes ($67K more) · larger · more single-family homes
Seattle, WA 98112 81%2,478$171,572$1,549,100$681 pricier homes ($413K more) · larger · more single-family homes
Brookline, MA 02445 78%3$139,747$1,227,000$776 pricier homes ($91K more) · larger · younger residents
Montclair, NJ 07042 77%189$122,847$821,700$590 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($314K less) · larger
West Newton, MA 02465 76%2$194,265$1,159,200$619 higher income ($41K more) · more single-family homes
Narberth, PA 19072 76%266$172,550$819,700$372 cheaper homes ($316K less) · more single-family homes
Washington, DC 20007 76%389$140,996$1,292,400$727 pricier homes ($156K more) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Melrose, MA 02176 73%10$133,953$822,900$494 cheaper homes ($313K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464 73%3$105,729$940,200$539 lower income ($48K less) · cheaper homes ($196K less) · smaller
Atlanta, GA 30306 73%927$123,077$799,800$389 lower income ($30K less) · cheaper homes ($336K less) · larger
Watertown, MA 02472 72%1$126,336$784,600$507 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($352K less) · larger
Mamaroneck, NY 10543 72%163$126,417$729,600$560 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($407K less) · larger
West Roxbury, MA 02132 71%5$138,724$746,100$505 cheaper homes ($390K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Harrison, NY 10528 71%162$154,416$937,500$598 cheaper homes ($199K less) · 6 min longer commute · newer homes
Washington, DC 20012 71%385$121,418$863,900$421 lower income ($32K less) · cheaper homes ($272K less) · 8 min longer commute
Falls Church, VA 22046 71%395$168,882$1,014,700$476 cheaper homes ($121K less) · newer homes
Seattle, WA 98199 71%2,482$180,789$1,198,700$629 higher income ($27K more) · pricier homes ($63K more) · larger

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.

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