OfferBackedBuyer Tools
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 Salem, NY 12865

Salem: median income $71,983, home value $192,900, $136/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Perryopolis, PA 15473 96%396$69,438$201,700$126 Very close on everything we compare
Darlington, PA 16115 93%401$68,571$185,400$161 Very close on everything we compare
Herndon, PA 17830 93%248$73,942$194,600$110 smaller
New Richland, MN 56072 93%1,009$80,417$205,400$142 smaller
Ringtown, PA 17967 92%219$77,321$187,500$179 smaller
Lake View, IA 51450 92%1,100$71,875$184,800$130 smaller
Burgettstown, PA 15021 91%412$75,000$203,800$129 larger
Industry, PA 15052 91%403$73,352$193,100$137 younger residents
Enon Valley, PA 16120 91%399$65,750$164,900$160 cheaper homes ($28K less) · smaller
Mckeesport, PA 15135 90%389$82,632$184,900$150 Very close on everything we compare
Saltsburg, PA 15681 90%361$73,130$155,600$110 cheaper homes ($37K less) · younger residents
Lowellville, OH 44436 90%398$69,514$143,700$125 cheaper homes ($49K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Mendon, MI 49072 90%622$63,875$174,700$126 5 min shorter commute
Ogden, IA 50212 90%1,052$81,838$221,300$150 pricier homes ($28K more)
Winthrop, MN 55396 90%1,049$75,680$201,800$116 younger residents
Farmer City, IL 61842 90%815$80,117$157,500$127 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Scenery Hill, PA 15360 89%408$85,341$246,300$140 pricier homes ($53K more) · smaller
West Alexander, PA 15376 89%426$86,607$218,900$121 pricier homes ($26K more) · smaller
Sandy Lake, PA 16145 89%366$67,321$180,100$150 younger residents
Venus, PA 16364 89%339$74,886$183,500— smaller
Barnesville, PA 18214 89%215$82,375$208,000$163 younger residents
Wapwallopen, PA 18660 89%203$80,568$206,800$162 newer homes
Elsie, MI 48831 89%557$63,299$161,300$149 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Jewell, IA 50130 89%1,030$78,594$169,000$125 smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Coggon, IA 52218 89%924$82,344$180,700$121 smaller

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.