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 Mount Gay, WV 25637

Mount Gay: median income $51,926, home value $77,000, 17-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Tilton, IL 61833 94%340$48,584$69,200$101 larger
Knox City, TX 79529 92%1,044$50,694$63,400$112 younger residents
Arma, KS 66712 91%693$53,281$82,700$131 larger
Jetmore, KS 67854 89%975$57,104$97,400$95 Very close on everything we compare
Crowell, TX 79227 89%1,023$62,188$69,700$41 older homes
Roulette, PA 16746 87%340$51,125$94,400$80 Very close on everything we compare
Mankato, KS 66956 86%882$57,232$59,100$123 older homes
Atkins, VA 24311 85%75$48,516$93,100$117 larger · less walkable
Wheaton, MN 56296 85%924$53,527$103,800$73 pricier homes ($27K more) · larger · younger residents
Sharon Springs, KS 67758 85%1,069$58,500$109,700$78 pricier homes ($33K more)
East Millinocket, ME 04430 84%875$42,011$86,200$88 younger residents
Meredosia, IL 62665 84%479$46,528$65,800— 7 min longer commute
Tarkio, MO 64491 84%738$57,500$91,300$126 larger · 5 min longer commute · older homes
La Crosse, KS 67548 84%939$55,313$85,000$97 younger residents · older homes
Clarendon, PA 16313 83%308$53,947$97,200$76 larger · less walkable
Percy, IL 62272 83%415$50,938$83,500$79 larger · more apartments and townhomes
Shelbina, MO 63468 83%555$45,882$100,600$91 larger · younger residents
Fredonia, KS 66736 83%751$62,443$93,200$58 larger
Earth, TX 79031 83%1,165$43,750$96,600$71 younger residents · less walkable
Olton, TX 79064 83%1,151$59,698$89,500$71 larger · younger residents
Quanah, TX 79252 83%1,019$62,228$84,600$62 larger
Aspermont, TX 79502 83%1,074$52,333$44,100$106 cheaper homes ($33K less)
Emporium, PA 15834 82%323$50,609$87,400$89 larger · older homes
Tidioute, PA 16351 82%301$51,515$91,600$82 larger · 9 min longer commute
Scarbro, WV 25917 82%47$60,407$88,700$113 less walkable · older homes

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.