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 Paul Smiths, NY 12970

Paul Smiths: median income $84,250, home value $242,100, $240/sq ft, 16-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Highland, KS 66035 62%1,117$97,895$124,300$131 cheaper homes ($118K less) · more homeowners
Elsah, IL 62028 60%910$72,031$170,900$126 cheaper homes ($71K less) · newer homes
Laurel, NE 68745 56%1,150$63,953$190,600— cheaper homes ($52K less) · larger · older residents
Wilberforce, OH 45384 55%591$67,019$145,900— cheaper homes ($96K less) · larger · newer homes
Panaca, NV 89042 55%2,116$64,083$263,300— older residents · 9 min shorter commute · newer homes
Gambier, OH 43022 54%500$94,712$315,900$209 pricier homes ($74K more) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Milford, UT 84751 54%2,032$81,908$247,100$182 larger · older residents · more walkable
Willow Lake, SD 57278 53%1,149$70,208$220,400— more homeowners · newer homes
Hooper, NE 68031 53%1,137$80,605$208,300$124 cheaper homes ($34K less) · larger · older residents
Cedarville, OH 45314 52%586$84,844$313,400$188 pricier homes ($71K more) · larger · more homeowners
Bethany, WV 26032 51%434$58,750$116,300$118 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($126K less) · 5 min longer commute
West Liberty, WV 26074 51%438$50,000$164,800— lower income ($34K less) · cheaper homes ($77K less) · 7 min longer commute
Chattanooga, TN 37409 50%877$74,754$267,400$287 pricier homes ($25K more) · larger · older residents
Ossian, IA 52161 50%876$87,870$171,400$182 cheaper homes ($71K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Northwood, ND 58267 50%1,137$88,015$217,800$161 older residents · more walkable · newer homes
Arcadia, OH 44804 48%522$95,469$193,500$197 cheaper homes ($49K less) · larger · older residents
Arcadia, IA 51430 47%1,055$76,250$146,300$158 cheaper homes ($96K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Canistota, SD 57012 47%1,142$94,375$180,200$199 cheaper homes ($62K less) · older residents · 10 min longer commute
Mc Cool Junction, NE 68401 47%1,209$111,500$196,600$168 higher income ($27K more) · cheaper homes ($46K less) · older residents
Utica, NE 68456 47%1,193$89,550$202,900$137 cheaper homes ($39K less) · older residents · newer homes
Spiceland, IN 47385 46%655$103,406$211,200$161 cheaper homes ($31K less) · larger · older residents
Hancock, MI 49930 46%712$72,314$214,000$143 cheaper homes ($28K less) · larger · older residents
Boyden, IA 51234 46%1,083$84,318$211,800— cheaper homes ($30K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Fayette, IA 52142 46%882$56,875$162,500$105 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($80K less) · larger
Sterling, KS 67579 46%1,309$65,294$158,000— cheaper homes ($84K less) · larger · older residents

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.