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 Charleston, WV 25315

Charleston: median income $55,083, home value $90,200, $98/sq ft, 22-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Sturgis, KY 42459 95%354$51,563$96,600$105 Very close on everything we compare
Mexico, ME 04257 94%718$55,727$110,800$96 Very close on everything we compare
Northern Cambria, PA 15714 94%223$52,500$102,500$92 larger
Kahoka, MO 63445 93%564$48,370$109,100$91 Very close on everything we compare
Canisteo, NY 14823 92%348$63,140$118,800$91 pricier homes ($29K more)
Mount Morris, IL 61054 92%492$47,467$121,400$103 pricier homes ($31K more)
Pana, IL 62557 92%414$51,389$88,900$91 larger
New Berlin, NY 13411 91%445$55,357$121,900$82 pricier homes ($32K more)
Norfolk, NY 13667 91%569$59,849$99,700$86 newer homes
Falconer, NY 14733 91%296$63,068$109,700$131 Very close on everything we compare
Mc Leansboro, IL 62859 91%379$54,011$93,900$94 larger
Horton, KS 66439 91%757$53,348$90,800$110 Very close on everything we compare
Galena, KS 66739 91%721$52,289$83,000$108 larger
Dolgeville, NY 13329 90%489$60,104$121,700$101 pricier homes ($32K more) · 5 min longer commute
Cuba, NY 14727 90%323$63,257$108,000$107 Very close on everything we compare
Belmont, NY 14813 90%333$63,750$94,300$71 Very close on everything we compare
Ridgway, PA 15853 90%263$59,344$109,400— larger
Johnstown, PA 15909 90%208$61,016$110,200$107 Very close on everything we compare
Shinglehouse, PA 16748 90%313$61,250$104,000$71 Very close on everything we compare
Union City, IN 47390 90%222$50,417$97,600$100 larger · younger residents
White Hall, IL 62092 90%483$56,607$69,100$95 Very close on everything we compare
Dupo, IL 62239 90%469$61,191$111,400$123 Very close on everything we compare
Du Quoin, IL 62832 90%418$59,652$100,300$97 larger
Fairfield, IL 62837 90%369$50,536$103,900$91 larger
Sedan, KS 67361 90%802$53,917$64,400— cheaper homes ($26K less) · 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.