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 Nickelsville, VA 24271

Nickelsville: median income $58,625, home value $161,500, $166/sq ft, 37-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Confluence, PA 15424 94%269$56,190$152,100$175 Very close on everything we compare
Constantia, NY 13044 93%564$64,313$139,200$161 Very close on everything we compare
Morrisdale, PA 16858 93%370$56,655$158,600$136 larger
White Lake, WI 54491 93%669$55,917$168,400$163 smaller
Winkelman, AZ 85192 93%1,622$59,922$161,800— older residents
Westfield, NC 27053 92%116$67,974$224,500$180 pricier homes ($63K more)
Rock Island, TN 38581 92%194$55,985$182,500$216 larger
Port Sanilac, MI 48469 92%462$56,023$162,700$134 smaller
Luther, MI 49656 92%533$56,656$135,500$138 cheaper homes ($26K less)
Fruitvale, TX 75127 92%809$60,366$216,800$172 pricier homes ($55K more) · smaller
Avinger, TX 75630 92%740$49,677$156,300$166 Very close on everything we compare
Kennerdell, PA 16374 91%345$57,829$128,800$171 cheaper homes ($33K less) · smaller
Rockford, AL 35136 91%344$50,114$140,300$154 newer homes
Prospect, TN 38477 91%282$60,542$223,200$182 pricier homes ($62K more)
Winslow, AR 72959 91%654$51,923$197,000$182 pricier homes ($36K more)
Jumping Branch, WV 25969 90%98$60,250$182,300— Very close on everything we compare
Mathias, WV 26812 90%243$64,375$144,200$158 smaller
Applegate, MI 48401 90%457$70,536$162,700$183 smaller
Six Lakes, MI 48886 90%484$61,667$165,600$179 smaller
Barryton, MI 49305 90%505$51,875$148,100$138 5 min shorter commute
Floodwood, MN 55736 90%884$65,179$164,500$180 smaller
Eucha, OK 74342 90%693$57,321$160,500$269 Very close on everything we compare
Morgan, TX 76671 90%922$53,715$190,300$167 pricier homes ($29K more)
North Anson, ME 04958 89%860$55,089$156,300$177 6 min shorter commute
Jefferson, NY 12093 89%574$65,321$174,800$192 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.