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 Bradford, OH 45308

Bradford: median income $70,435, home value $171,000, $145/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Elroy, WI 53929 94%391$65,568$187,000$130 smaller
Prophetstown, IL 61277 93%306$70,363$148,200$116 Very close on everything we compare
Argos, IN 46501 92%122$64,172$156,900$124 Very close on everything we compare
Mentone, IN 46539 92%110$74,079$159,000$163 smaller · younger residents
Butler, IN 46721 92%93$68,580$138,800$124 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Oxford, IN 47971 92%151$64,375$152,600$149 smaller
Veedersburg, IN 47987 92%150$63,333$145,200$113 cheaper homes ($26K less)
Michigan Center, MI 49254 92%145$63,750$172,100$163 Very close on everything we compare
Guthrie Center, IA 50115 92%536$73,848$147,900$156 smaller
Andrews, IN 46702 91%80$77,727$158,300$143 smaller
Hagerstown, IN 47346 91%41$70,000$144,300$114 cheaper homes ($27K less)
Carson City, MI 48811 91%211$70,625$170,800$136 larger
Quincy, MI 49082 91%128$74,063$177,400$163 larger · newer homes
Hartley, IA 51346 91%608$72,426$156,800$127 smaller
Hector, MN 55342 91%613$64,861$169,300$153 smaller
Grace, ID 83241 91%1,420$71,298$215,200$182 pricier homes ($44K more) · smaller
Collins, NY 14034 90%331$62,412$151,200$134 smaller · 5 min longer commute
Industry, PA 15052 90%214$73,352$193,100$137 smaller
Roann, IN 46974 90%97$61,528$179,600$139 smaller
Darlington, IN 47940 90%123$70,711$152,100$157 smaller
Williamsport, IN 47993 90%157$72,455$158,400$127 newer homes
Colon, MI 49040 90%135$64,306$169,900$176 Very close on everything we compare
Tekonsha, MI 49092 90%138$64,211$156,400$126 smaller
Hudson, MI 49247 90%120$59,787$150,100$126 Very close on everything we compare
Preston, IA 52069 90%338$75,313$169,500$155 smaller

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.