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 West Union, WV 26456

West Union: median income $58,000, home value $164,400, 32-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Elsie, MI 48831 96%323$63,299$161,300$149 Very close on everything we compare
Boswell, PA 15531 95%113$60,855$137,500$128 cheaper homes ($27K less)
Wampum, PA 16157 94%113$60,345$158,800$215 Very close on everything we compare
Ossineke, MI 49766 94%413$61,346$161,800$100 Very close on everything we compare
North Anson, ME 04958 93%678$55,089$156,300$177 newer homes
Mayfield, NY 12117 93%432$66,000$208,500$158 pricier homes ($44K more)
Hyndman, PA 15545 93%116$56,757$129,600$72 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Rural Valley, PA 16249 93%131$68,214$164,400$100 smaller
Brookneal, VA 24528 93%182$58,343$140,000$204 Very close on everything we compare
Athens, MI 49011 93%304$59,722$158,600$139 Very close on everything we compare
Springport, MI 49284 93%296$57,500$153,200$142 Very close on everything we compare
Parker, PA 16049 92%139$62,650$132,800$226 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Mc Veytown, PA 17051 92%184$64,079$174,900$221 Very close on everything we compare
Six Lakes, MI 48886 92%365$61,667$165,600$179 smaller · newer homes
Tigerton, WI 54486 92%567$60,528$159,800$200 5 min shorter commute
Nashwauk, MN 55769 92%839$66,092$148,800$242 Very close on everything we compare
Howland, ME 04448 91%743$54,750$152,000$148 smaller
Avonmore, PA 15618 91%110$61,579$113,800$40 cheaper homes ($51K less)
Central City, PA 15926 91%118$62,019$106,400$130 cheaper homes ($58K less)
Darlington, PA 16115 91%107$68,571$185,400$161 Very close on everything we compare
Hadley, PA 16130 91%153$58,750$153,900$121 smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Templeton, PA 16259 91%135$59,861$146,400$44 smaller
Tionesta, PA 16353 91%172$56,034$121,000$104 cheaper homes ($43K less)
Millerton, PA 16936 91%273$62,895$189,800$100 pricier homes ($25K more) · smaller
Glasgow, VA 24555 91%134$56,080$185,000$158 more renters

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.