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 Williamson, WV 25661

Williamson: median income $25,014, home value $94,900, $63/sq ft, 34-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Bunkie, LA 71322 92%735$27,030$97,500$67 Very close on everything we compare
Mamou, LA 70554 90%757$28,638$93,400$51 Very close on everything we compare
Allendale, SC 29810 87%328$26,835$79,600$97 Very close on everything we compare
Haynesville, LA 71038 86%692$25,958$83,200$83 7 min shorter commute
Durant, MS 39063 81%533$30,967$80,400$91 smaller · younger residents
Clio, SC 29525 80%263$28,618$70,200— smaller · more homeowners
Greensboro, AL 36744 80%456$30,518$136,100$69 pricier homes ($41K more)
Niland, CA 92257 79%1,893$22,611$102,200— smaller · older residents · more apartments and townhomes
Shelby, MS 38774 77%541$19,811$90,400— smaller · younger residents · 5 min longer commute
Richlands, VA 24641 76%48$35,531$107,600$96 6 min shorter commute
Senath, MO 63876 76%449$34,837$95,900— smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Pennington Gap, VA 24277 75%77$31,737$86,200$92 9 min shorter commute
Brooksville, MS 39739 75%470$24,831$85,000— smaller · older residents · 6 min shorter commute
Angie, LA 70426 75%637$29,821$126,600$98 pricier homes ($32K more) · newer homes
Newellton, LA 71357 74%640$28,750$81,600— smaller · older residents
Cherry Valley, AR 72324 74%497$36,324$104,900— smaller
Homer, LA 71040 73%695$31,678$79,600$101 larger · 6 min shorter commute · more homeowners
Cottonport, LA 71327 73%725$31,953$95,800$75 younger residents
Dermott, AR 71638 73%590$31,667$61,900— cheaper homes ($33K less) · 8 min shorter commute
Mullins, SC 29574 72%294$34,112$87,200$104 larger · 5 min shorter commute · newer homes
Marshallville, GA 31057 72%374$23,601$87,600$61 smaller · older residents · 8 min shorter commute
Oglethorpe, GA 31068 72%387$30,352$69,400— cheaper homes ($26K less) · 8 min shorter commute · newer homes
Morgan, GA 39866 72%445$31,023$92,000— smaller · 8 min shorter commute
Gresham, SC 29546 71%308$32,043$97,100— smaller · less walkable · newer homes
Charleston, MS 38921 71%509$37,326$102,000$55 younger 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.