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.

Reset

Towns most like Lerona, WV 25971

Lerona: median income $74,439, home value $150,000, $91/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Lindley, NY 14858 93%374$81,750$145,200— Very close on everything we compare
New Marshfield, OH 45766 89%144$72,518$141,400$78 6 min longer commute
Subiaco, AR 72865 89%717$82,045$160,900$92 more single-family homes
Burneyville, OK 73430 89%948$79,091$165,300$107 older residents
Birdseye, IN 47513 88%317$66,615$163,900$115 Very close on everything we compare
Donaldson, AR 71941 88%705$70,329$151,400$116 larger · more renters
Erin, NY 14838 87%396$73,884$137,500$145 Very close on everything we compare
West Sunbury, PA 16061 87%250$74,464$197,400— pricier homes ($47K more) · larger
Cleveland, SC 29635 87%191$71,844$228,700$106 pricier homes ($79K more)
Fancy Farm, KY 42039 87%433$70,726$143,200$136 Very close on everything we compare
Belton, KY 42324 87%330$77,898$157,900$105 Very close on everything we compare
Lore City, OH 43755 87%178$68,581$166,700$89 more renters
Clarington, OH 43915 87%158$74,405$140,300$134 Very close on everything we compare
Blue River, WI 53518 87%642$62,384$164,900$87 5 min shorter commute
Allendale, IL 62410 87%374$80,588$113,400— cheaper homes ($37K less)
Scranton, AR 72863 87%713$64,773$156,500$75 Very close on everything we compare
Indiahoma, OK 73552 87%1,010$85,500$152,900— 5 min shorter commute
Chateaugay, NY 12920 86%625$79,773$152,600$104 larger · more renters
Riverdale, MI 48877 86%456$64,653$112,300$113 cheaper homes ($38K less)
Shipman, IL 62685 86%500$64,063$154,500$105 more renters
Ava, IL 62907 86%465$84,293$161,900$94 younger residents
Ringwood, OK 73768 86%957$86,359$137,500$63 Very close on everything we compare
S Coffeyville, OK 74072 86%805$67,708$164,500$93 more renters
Simms, TX 75574 86%815$75,824$115,900$122 cheaper homes ($34K less)
Plymouth, ME 04969 85%790$61,964$207,100— pricier homes ($57K more)

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.