python - reordering cluster numbers for correct correspondence

Question

I have a dataset that I clustered using two different clustering algorithms. The results are about the same, but the cluster numbers are permuted. Now for displaying the color coded labels, I want the label ids to be same for the same clusters. How can I get correct permutation between the two label ids?

I can do this using brute force, but perhaps there is a better/faster method. I would greatly appreciate any help or pointers. If possible I am looking for a python function.

Answer 1

The most well-known algorithm for finding the optimum matching is the hungarian method.

Because it cannot be explained in a few sentences, I have to refer you to a book of your choice, or Wikipedia article "Hungarian algorithm".

You can probably get good results (even perfect if the difference is indeed tiny) by simply picking the maximum of the correspondence matrix and then removing that row and column.