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.

Reset

Towns most like Ellenburg Center, NY 12934

Ellenburg Center: median income $77,734, home value $115,100, $103/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Watson, IL 62473 98%855$74,700$104,800$120 Very close on everything we compare
New Zion, SC 29111 93%830$76,250$125,500— Very close on everything we compare
Patoka, IL 62875 93%888$73,333$116,400$108 Very close on everything we compare
Prichard, WV 25555 92%641$66,853$98,600$123 larger
Dongola, IL 62926 92%945$64,583$113,300$86 larger
Donaldson, AR 71941 92%1,247$70,329$151,400$116 pricier homes ($36K more) · larger
Crawfordsville, AR 72327 92%1,093$82,750$119,300— Very close on everything we compare
Imboden, AR 72434 92%1,085$77,734$109,300$137 larger
Newcastle, TX 76372 92%1,550$69,167$106,600$133 Very close on everything we compare
Weedville, PA 15868 91%340$70,395$112,200— older homes
Wellsville, MO 63384 91%990$78,281$128,600$79 larger
Newville, AL 36353 90%1,114$66,318$121,300$77 larger
West College Corner, IN 47003 90%668$80,179$155,100$121 pricier homes ($40K more) · older homes
Thomasboro, IL 61878 90%794$66,250$118,700$107 6 min shorter commute
Toledo, IL 62468 90%830$75,625$123,500$92 larger
Murrayville, IL 62668 90%911$70,577$139,800$109 Very close on everything we compare
Rogers, TX 76569 90%1,585$65,491$125,500$86 larger
East Springfield, PA 16411 89%384$66,779$151,700$96 pricier homes ($37K more)
Ewing, VA 24248 89%759$78,281$100,000$99 larger · older residents · 6 min shorter commute
Providence, NC 27315 89%646$65,272$149,600$116 pricier homes ($35K more) · larger
Fancy Farm, KY 42039 89%957$70,726$143,200$136 pricier homes ($28K more) · larger
Midland, OH 45148 89%641$78,438$179,700$126 pricier homes ($65K more)
Ashmore, IL 61912 89%811$74,954$135,100$117 Very close on everything we compare
Pitts, GA 31072 88%1,033$62,794$99,500$109 Very close on everything we compare
Pavo, GA 31778 88%1,099$74,593$109,900$107 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.