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 Islandton, SC 29929

Islandton: median income $58,267, home value $104,500, 36-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Empire, AL 35063 89%358$61,138$110,500$127 larger
Annville, KY 40402 89%348$56,250$73,600$96 cheaper homes ($31K less) · larger
Lenore, WV 25676 88%344$47,639$120,200— Very close on everything we compare
Gilbertown, AL 36908 88%440$68,125$111,400— Very close on everything we compare
Elmer, LA 71424 88%703$56,179$115,300$44 6 min shorter commute
Apple Springs, TX 75926 88%833$65,833$130,400— pricier homes ($26K more)
Hosford, FL 32334 87%291$60,781$111,600$202 larger · more renters
Dixons Mills, AL 36736 87%404$55,759$109,300— younger residents · 5 min shorter commute
Chunky, MS 39323 87%471$56,944$98,800— older residents · newer homes
Cove, AR 71937 87%782$57,750$101,400$83 larger
Porum, OK 74455 87%837$51,786$115,400$224 larger · older residents
Bivins, TX 75555 87%768$58,750$112,100— older residents · 5 min longer commute
Lumber Bridge, NC 28357 86%169$49,116$88,600$161 larger
Honoraville, AL 36042 86%330$61,120$111,000— 5 min longer commute · more single-family homes
Wallingford, KY 41093 86%401$60,350$123,800$131 larger · more single-family homes
Irondale, MO 63648 86%647$51,765$99,500$126 Very close on everything we compare
Fouke, AR 71837 86%753$59,286$114,500$171 larger
Macomb, OK 74852 86%935$59,821$147,500— pricier homes ($43K more) · older residents
Greenbush, ME 04418 85%1,062$60,500$135,100$208 pricier homes ($31K more) · older residents · more single-family homes
Williamstown, NY 13493 85%771$63,125$121,500$176 larger · more single-family homes
Garland, NC 28441 85%190$51,250$106,800$150 larger · older residents
Addison, AL 35540 85%373$65,192$119,500$153 larger · 7 min shorter commute
Banks, AL 36005 85%296$47,250$107,300— 6 min shorter commute
Merryville, LA 70653 85%760$69,318$111,800$57 larger · older residents
Saline, LA 71070 85%702$59,259$109,100$116 more single-family 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.