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 Mobile, AL 36693

Mobile: median income $68,933, home value $210,200, $128/sq ft, 23-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Spartanburg, SC 29307 95%475$65,850$221,400$139 Very close on everything we compare
North Augusta, SC 29841 94%415$71,606$199,400$159 larger
Long Beach, MS 39560 94%63$69,769$219,000$149 Very close on everything we compare
Columbus, IN 47203 94%608$72,112$244,100$147 pricier homes ($34K more)
Albany, GA 31721 93%236$77,177$216,400$124 Very close on everything we compare
South Bend, IN 46637 93%774$71,462$207,100$154 Very close on everything we compare
Midland, MI 48642 93%924$77,847$207,400$153 larger
Sherwood, AR 72120 93%377$76,598$200,400$154 larger
Du Bois, PA 15801 92%895$67,583$181,800$151 cheaper homes ($28K less)
Danville, PA 17821 92%962$76,971$249,500$164 pricier homes ($39K more)
Spartanburg, SC 29302 92%471$80,819$285,400$156 pricier homes ($75K more)
Tupelo, MS 38804 92%254$64,420$219,700$155 Very close on everything we compare
Warren, OH 44484 92%840$63,630$175,900$133 cheaper homes ($34K less)
Midland, MI 48640 92%924$80,574$200,700$147 larger
Jefferson City, MO 65101 92%592$74,807$243,600$142 pricier homes ($33K more) · larger
Bartlesville, OK 74006 92%614$71,796$200,100$118 6 min shorter commute
Youngstown, OH 44512 91%831$63,317$170,700$137 cheaper homes ($40K less) · larger
Troy, OH 45373 91%687$75,742$253,400$168 pricier homes ($43K more) · larger
Gaylord, MI 49735 91%1,011$70,819$227,200$145 Very close on everything we compare
Davenport, IA 52806 91%768$74,297$190,400$162 Very close on everything we compare
Collinsville, IL 62234 91%566$69,607$170,000$127 cheaper homes ($40K less) · larger
Carterville, IL 62918 91%496$70,920$200,200$135 smaller · newer homes
Marion, IL 62959 91%492$71,063$174,800$138 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Leavenworth, KS 66048 91%711$72,734$219,100$150 larger
West Monroe, LA 71291 91%270$71,639$227,000$144 larger

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.