Vote! Pick Your Favorite Homes For Sale In Cities With Matching Names

It’s not uncommon to run across your “hometown” in another state. Maybe you’re driving through Birmingham, MI, and you’re reminded of sweet home Birmingham, AL. While some of the most popular city names in America may be found in as many as 46 states, each community has its own personality and history. (Fun fact: Unless you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, or Louisiana, there is a Riverside in your state!)

To explore these same-name cities, we found homes for sale from Salem, VA, and Salem, MA, to Washington, DC, and Washington, MI, and we’re asking you to vote for your favorites in each city!

Springfield: Missouri and Ohio

While the origin of Springfield, OH’s name is pretty straightforward — it was named after Springfield, MA (which was named after Springfield, Essex, England) — Springfield, MO’s history is a bit unclear. There are a few theories about where the Missouri city’s name came from, but one very practical theory is that both a natural spring and a field lie just west of the town. Springfield, OH, has been deemed “The American Dream” city by Newsweek and an “All America City” by the National Civic League. Its counterpart in Missouri has bragging rights as the third-largest city in Missouri and the “Queen City of the Ozarks.”

$159,900 in Springfield, MO: 1345 North Clay Ave., Springfield, MO 65802

Located in the heart of the historic district, this three-bedroom Victorian home has been included on the Moon City Garden Tour. The home has been well preserved since it was built in 1890, and craftsman-style features include detailed crown molding, ornate built-ins, pinewood floors, and a claw-foot tub in the master bathroom.

$169,900 in Springfield, OH: 4923 West National Road, Springfield, OH 45504

Built in 1925, this home features original oak hardwood floors, glass doorknobs, and a cozy wood-burning fireplace. Those original features blend nicely with new quartz countertops and cabinetry.

Salem: Massachusetts and Oregon

Salem, MA, is well-known as one of the most significant seaports for the Puritans and is notorious for the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. While Salem, MA’s history is rife with stories of witchcraft, its counterpart, Salem, OR, is famous for being the capital of Oregon. Once a prominent home for the Kalapuya Native Americans, the city is also home to America’s oldest university in the West: Willamette University.

$419,900 in Salem, MA: 35 Felt St., Salem, MA 01970

Enjoy all North Salem has to offer from the comfort of your covered front porch in this 1940 bungalow. Out back, the home has a large deck prime for summer lounging, while inside, even more relaxation opportunities await in the home’s vaulted living room with a fireplace.

$440,000 in Salem, OR: 2372 Renee Ave. NW, Salem, OR 97304

This charming craftsman-style home is situated across the Willamette River from downtown Salem and features a sweeping view of the city from the top of its hillside perch. With captivating amenities including a sauna (yes, please!), a large deck, and two fireplaces, this home is perfect for year-round living.

Washington: Michigan and DC

Of the 121 towns, villages, and neighborhoods named after George Washington, the most notable is Washington, DC, which was chosen by George Washington himself to be the capital of the United States. However, the other cities, towns, villages, and neighborhoods with his name are no less of a tribute to America’s first president. Washington, MI, was settled in the mid-1820s by a group of pioneers from New York, NY, and named in 1927 during a town meeting. The differences between Washington, DC, and Washington, MI, aren’t easy to ignore: Washington, DC, has an estimated population of more than 670,000 (which climbs into the millions on weekdays!), while Washington, MI, has a more modest 24,000 residents. Still, Washington, MI, has charming qualities to offer its residents, including a vast system of parks, trails, golf courses, lakes, shopping, farms, and orchards.

$624,900 in Washington, MI: 7300 Acadia Court, Washington, MI 48095

This grand, Colonial-style home is located on a lush, professionally landscaped lot near parks and lakes. The home features luxurious amenities like a three-way gas fireplace in the great room and kitchen, maple cabinets, premium granite countertops, and Brazilian cherry hardwood floors throughout.

$674,999 in Washington, DC: 38 Kennedy St. NE, Washington, DC 20011

Located in northern DC, this three-bedroom home has been renovated with custom cabinets and marble countertops in the kitchen, hardwood floors throughout, and a fully finished basement with a rec room. Enjoy some time outdoors in the nation’s capital on the home’s screened-in porch, which overlooks a grassy yard.

Portland: Maine and Oregon

Aptly named for their prominence as port cities, Portland, ME, and Portland, OR, have a lot in common, perhaps because Oregon’s Portland took its name from the city in Maine. When it was time to name Portland, OR, two pioneers owned equal parts of the city. They decided to flip a coin to decide who got to name the city, and Francis W. Pettygrove of Portland, ME, won, opting to name the city after his hometown. The naming of Portland, ME, was a bit more complicated, as it started as a Native American word meaning “Great Neck.” From 1633 until 1786, the area’s named changed as different groups of settlers gained control of the area, and it was known as Casco, Falmouth, and eventually Portland.

$799,900 in Portland, ME: 11 Ocean Spray Road, Portland, ME 04108

Nestled on beautiful Peak Island, this two-bedroom home sits at the edge of the ocean. Enjoy watching the waves crash against the rocky shore from the large windows in the home’s living room (which features a cozy fireplace) or the master bedroom upstairs. Even better? The home borders conservation land, so it will always be a private, natural getaway.

$779,900 in Portland, OR: 2808 SW Montgomery Drive, Portland, OR 97201

This four-bedroom home on a double lot in Portland Heights features a remodeled kitchen and great room, a large master suite, and lush, green landscaping. Out back, the large backyard includes a brick patio, fire pit, gardens, and a treehouse.

Charleston: West Virginia and South Carolina

Both originally named “Charles Town” (South Carolina’s inspiration was King Charles II of England and West Virginia’s was named after its first settler’s father), these two cities offer quaint, historic downtown areas and growing popularity with tourists. While Charleston, SC, is a Lowcountry gem, Charleston, WV, sits in the mountains, drawing tourists who like to hike and spend time outside. Both cities house a number of colleges, and recreation often includes watching Division I teams: West Virginia University in West Virginia, and the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

$1,899,999 in Charleston, WV: 1 Van Buren Ave., Charleston, WV 25314

Nature meets everyday living in this 7,000-square-foot masterpiece, which features hickory hardwood floors and a pebble driveway with stones from Virginia’s James River. Walk inside, and a grand entrance welcomes you, with a two-story foyer, brick archways connecting rooms, and stone and hand-painted tile in the bathroom.

$1,999,000 in Charleston, SC: 66 Society St., Charleston, SC 29401

Enjoy a daily dose of history in this Charleston single house that dates back to 1839. The home’s historic past includes occupancy by a respected female plantation owner, Martha Laurens Roper, and much of its history can still be seen in its original floors, doors, stairwell, and moldings.

What other city names in your area are duplicates? Share your favorite city names in the comments below!

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