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 Dansville, MI 48819

Dansville: median income $110,833, home value $254,500, $156/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Diamond, OH 44412 97%195$102,726$282,300$168 pricier homes ($28K more)
Somerville, OH 45064 95%208$102,531$240,200$152 Very close on everything we compare
Laura, OH 45337 95%178$108,162$228,700$155 cheaper homes ($26K less)
Claypool, IN 46510 95%128$99,420$208,300$177 cheaper homes ($46K less)
Kouts, IN 46347 93%164$95,348$255,400$173 larger
Metamora, OH 43540 92%62$119,583$259,300$167 smaller · younger residents
Rolling Prairie, IN 46371 92%131$99,830$256,000$161 Very close on everything we compare
Milo, IA 50166 92%478$107,279$252,900$135 younger residents
Junction City, WI 54443 92%307$99,423$279,400$135 Very close on everything we compare
Loda, IL 60948 92%241$106,250$229,600$142 smaller
Utica, IL 61373 92%255$109,000$237,200$166 6 min shorter commute
Valley Falls, NY 12185 91%546$110,625$210,900$182 cheaper homes ($44K less)
Newburg, PA 17240 91%387$91,429$256,300$175 Very close on everything we compare
Glenville, PA 17329 91%434$121,309$331,000$203 pricier homes ($77K more)
Washington Boro, PA 17582 91%444$100,263$304,800$211 pricier homes ($50K more)
Sutherland, VA 23885 91%514$103,849$283,900$208 pricier homes ($29K more)
Cable, OH 43009 91%167$102,841$258,300$156 newer homes
Hatley, WI 54440 91%299$90,921$222,700$148 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Poplar, WI 54864 91%463$91,250$242,100$182 smaller
Danvers, IL 61732 91%289$107,941$224,400$129 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Felton, PA 17322 90%442$103,152$261,600$185 larger
Wellsville, PA 17365 90%418$91,742$261,800$155 6 min shorter commute
Maxwell, IA 50161 90%468$98,519$256,500$135 Very close on everything we compare
Springville, IA 52336 90%367$91,458$225,300$179 cheaper homes ($29K less)
Black Creek, WI 54106 90%247$97,500$277,800$199 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.