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 Spencer, NY 14883

Spencer: median income $68,750, home value $207,700, $148/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Ossian, IN 46777 94%458$72,758$201,100$170 Very close on everything we compare
Saint Thomas, PA 17252 93%174$73,629$202,700$136 Very close on everything we compare
Morris, OK 74445 93%1,131$67,875$189,700$123 Very close on everything we compare
Factoryville, PA 18419 92%59$61,402$224,800$156 Very close on everything we compare
Sweeny, TX 77480 92%1,407$73,022$209,900$139 larger
Silver Creek, GA 30173 91%729$63,932$208,800$166 larger
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435 91%958$65,313$224,800$156 larger
New Hope, AL 35760 91%754$71,622$172,600$186 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Rootstown, OH 44272 91%256$83,173$261,300$170 pricier homes ($54K more)
Saranac, MI 48881 91%446$78,607$226,800$188 Very close on everything we compare
Bloomer, WI 54724 91%774$72,391$244,700$177 pricier homes ($37K more) · larger
Centralia, MO 65240 91%845$71,707$199,300$183 larger
Colbert, OK 74733 91%1,229$65,875$162,100$123 cheaper homes ($46K less)
Jay, ME 04239 90%352$70,238$168,600$126 cheaper homes ($39K less) · 6 min shorter commute
New Wilmington, PA 16142 90%212$84,205$226,300$153 Very close on everything we compare
Rural Retreat, VA 24368 90%450$73,614$170,100$131 cheaper homes ($38K less)
New Brockton, AL 36351 90%914$69,583$178,300$146 cheaper homes ($29K less)
Lewisport, KY 42351 90%626$76,213$169,200$163 cheaper homes ($39K less)
Minford, OH 45653 90%407$82,125$176,100— cheaper homes ($32K less)
Lapel, IN 46051 90%509$78,333$204,600$156 Very close on everything we compare
Osseo, WI 54758 90%755$67,930$220,100$152 older residents
Marseilles, IL 61341 90%631$72,530$200,900$138 larger
Montgomery City, MO 63361 90%818$62,371$186,700$140 Very close on everything we compare
New Franklin, MO 65274 90%879$69,833$158,100$139 cheaper homes ($50K less) · smaller
Saint Rose, LA 70087 90%1,144$73,406$235,400$155 pricier homes ($28K more) · 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.