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 Saint Clair Shores, MI 48082

Saint Clair Shores: median income $74,806, home value $214,200, $167/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Elizabeth, PA 15037 93%221$77,579$165,900$172 cheaper homes ($48K less) · smaller
Jersey Shore, PA 17740 93%302$70,236$179,600$142 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Mogadore, OH 44260 93%129$82,444$210,200$182 Very close on everything we compare
Anderson, IN 46011 93%222$76,391$178,700$128 cheaper homes ($36K less)
Jermyn, PA 18433 91%380$75,000$213,900$147 smaller
Urbana, OH 43078 91%173$73,816$197,600$165 more renters
Louisville, OH 44641 91%143$80,303$205,300$175 Very close on everything we compare
New Carlisle, OH 45344 91%189$78,471$174,600$176 cheaper homes ($40K less)
Two Harbors, MN 55616 91%532$76,127$259,200$170 pricier homes ($45K more) · smaller
Canastota, NY 13032 90%363$81,171$165,800$153 cheaper homes ($48K less) · older residents
Burton, OH 44021 90%116$82,008$242,900$170 pricier homes ($29K more) · smaller
North Manchester, IN 46962 90%183$67,984$159,600$135 cheaper homes ($55K less) · smaller
Bedford, IN 47421 90%315$68,108$188,100$163 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger
Evansville, IN 47720 90%397$75,139$214,100$158 6 min shorter commute
Vinton, IA 52349 90%465$71,314$181,200$135 cheaper homes ($33K less) · smaller
Frankfort, NY 13340 89%396$69,821$157,800$172 cheaper homes ($56K less) · smaller
Bangor, PA 18013 89%414$78,847$259,600$195 pricier homes ($45K more)
Swanton, OH 43558 89%82$74,173$206,300$162 newer homes
Wellington, OH 44090 89%100$76,906$248,000$175 pricier homes ($34K more) · smaller · newer homes
Albion, IN 46701 89%153$78,385$211,600$146 smaller · newer homes
Boonville, IN 47601 89%386$78,663$194,500$150 newer homes
Boone, IA 50036 89%562$79,255$194,400$171 6 min shorter commute
Knoxville, IA 50138 89%531$74,693$196,700$159 newer homes
Alden, NY 14004 88%223$90,839$258,300$224 pricier homes ($44K more)
Williamson, NY 14589 88%293$86,885$192,800$149 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.