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 Early Branch, SC 29916

Early Branch: median income $70,982, home value $123,800, $130/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Addison, AL 35540 94%373$65,192$119,500$153 larger
Chester, GA 31012 93%131$70,391$145,500$141 larger
Newington, GA 30446 92%32$75,521$141,000$128 Very close on everything we compare
Holcomb, MS 38940 92%529$64,048$109,600— Very close on everything we compare
Odum, GA 31555 91%93$70,516$96,500$136 cheaper homes ($27K less) · larger
Mount Calm, TX 76673 91%933$63,750$115,300$120 Very close on everything we compare
Lisle, NY 13797 90%717$67,316$116,200$107 Very close on everything we compare
Jennings, OK 74038 90%920$61,500$161,700$138 pricier homes ($38K more)
Empire, AL 35063 89%358$61,138$110,500$127 larger
Hillsboro, AL 35643 89%381$59,076$124,200$142 larger
Dix, IL 62830 89%598$62,400$137,500$111 5 min shorter commute
Marquez, TX 77865 88%900$67,114$187,100$157 pricier homes ($63K more)
Kenna, WV 25248 87%409$67,652$161,200$160 pricier homes ($37K more) · larger
Orleans, MI 48865 87%751$70,039$141,900$161 older homes
Apple Springs, TX 75926 87%827$65,833$130,400— Very close on everything we compare
Williamstown, NY 13493 86%788$63,125$121,500$176 larger · younger residents
Crandall, GA 30711 86%267$70,462$129,900$183 larger
Kellyville, OK 74039 86%897$64,286$159,600$158 pricier homes ($36K more) · larger
Hagerman, NM 88232 86%1,353$65,000$134,700— larger
Taberg, NY 13471 85%789$70,455$120,400$163 larger
Evergreen, NC 28438 85%167$59,199$160,800$193 pricier homes ($37K more)
Omega, GA 31775 85%182$57,128$86,900$156 cheaper homes ($37K less) · larger
Pavo, GA 31778 85%204$74,593$109,900$107 larger
Sparta, KY 41086 85%469$61,824$168,800$137 pricier homes ($45K more) · larger
Horse Branch, KY 42349 85%459$58,601$88,900$105 cheaper homes ($35K less)

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.