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 Russiaville, IN 46979

Russiaville: median income $88,832, home value $213,500, $153/sq ft, 25-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Jeromesville, OH 44840 95%216$83,021$235,500$173 Very close on everything we compare
Worden, IL 62097 95%216$91,011$217,900$132 smaller
Russell, PA 16345 94%386$95,192$186,400$137 cheaper homes ($27K less)
Castalia, OH 44824 94%193$79,803$193,200$177 Very close on everything we compare
Hemlock, MI 48626 94%232$84,360$224,100$127 Very close on everything we compare
Clinton, OH 44216 93%248$98,776$236,300$203 larger
Linwood, MI 48634 93%258$87,992$167,400$168 cheaper homes ($46K less)
Pleasant Lake, MI 49272 93%169$84,107$233,300$183 smaller
Turbotville, PA 17772 92%501$81,146$241,900$136 pricier homes ($28K more) · smaller
Lucas, OH 44843 92%204$90,366$208,700$127 smaller
Birch Run, MI 48415 92%235$79,067$210,200$162 larger
Leslie, MI 49251 92%171$85,253$206,300$149 Very close on everything we compare
Petersburg, MI 49270 92%168$94,840$297,600$171 pricier homes ($84K more)
Ogden, IA 50212 92%417$81,838$221,300$150 smaller
Central City, IA 52214 92%298$86,786$234,600$129 smaller
Springville, IA 52336 92%292$91,458$225,300$179 smaller
Marathon, WI 54448 92%361$94,432$246,900$158 pricier homes ($33K more) · 5 min shorter commute
Janesville, MN 56048 92%458$85,532$238,600$159 pricier homes ($25K more)
Sherrard, IL 61281 92%229$102,639$224,000$126 smaller
Darien Center, NY 14040 91%441$88,779$210,100$141 smaller
Wellsville, PA 17365 91%492$91,742$261,800$155 pricier homes ($48K more) · smaller
Liberty Center, OH 43532 91%139$88,074$202,500$178 smaller
Mogadore, OH 44260 91%261$82,444$210,200$182 larger
Marshallville, OH 44645 91%241$84,756$230,400$212 smaller
Somerville, OH 45064 91%105$102,531$240,200$152 pricier homes ($27K more) · newer 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.