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.

Reset

Towns most like Carlsbad, TX 76934

Carlsbad: median income $52,125, home value $269,600, $344/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Alexis, NC 28006 92%1,155$51,932$234,600$250 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Preston, MO 65732 88%609$45,909$278,800— 7 min longer commute
Plymouth, ME 04969 87%1,917$61,964$207,100— cheaper homes ($63K less)
Gilbertsville, KY 42044 86%797$57,333$271,400$242 larger
Manassa, CO 81141 86%486$59,539$202,500— cheaper homes ($67K less)
Bluejacket, OK 74333 85%478$54,667$181,300— cheaper homes ($88K less)
Epworth, GA 30541 84%958$66,579$214,400$343 cheaper homes ($55K less) · larger
Ogema, MN 56569 83%1,099$57,434$209,500— cheaper homes ($60K less) · more renters
Hoolehua, HI 96729 82%3,527$59,375$231,900— cheaper homes ($38K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Ontario, WI 54651 80%998$62,159$172,800$248 cheaper homes ($97K less) · more renters
Fort Mcdowell, AZ 85264 80%655$60,729$369,200$369 pricier homes ($100K more) · 5 min shorter commute
Hiram, ME 04041 79%1,821$62,813$256,600$325 older residents · 8 min longer commute
Greenville, VA 24440 79%1,295$46,178$280,300$207 larger · more renters
Deep Gap, NC 28618 79%1,141$59,653$338,400$281 pricier homes ($69K more) · larger · more renters
Pingree, ID 83262 79%1,029$59,900$334,100$221 pricier homes ($65K more) · more renters
Paragonah, UT 84760 79%811$42,465$264,900— 7 min longer commute
Selma, OR 97538 79%1,455$44,099$312,200$303 pricier homes ($43K more) · 6 min longer commute · more apartments and townhomes
Lake Hamilton, FL 33851 78%1,166$62,284$236,400— cheaper homes ($33K less) · older homes
Fosters, AL 35463 78%763$59,464$226,000$185 cheaper homes ($44K less)
Quebeck, TN 38579 78%915$51,940$229,100— cheaper homes ($41K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Fresno, OH 43824 78%1,214$54,757$183,700— cheaper homes ($86K less) · larger
Rockland, WI 54653 78%1,000$72,596$264,200$240 Very close on everything we compare
Vaughn, MT 59487 78%1,242$56,359$229,300$232 cheaper homes ($40K less) · older residents
Branchport, NY 14418 77%1,491$65,577$193,800$381 cheaper homes ($76K less) · older residents · 6 min longer commute
Grawn, MI 49637 77%1,208$75,000$237,100$275 cheaper homes ($33K less) · 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.