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 Spring Arbor, MI 49283

Spring Arbor: median income $108,464, home value $218,400, $172/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Wahoo, NE 68066 92%626$101,438$266,900$166 pricier homes ($49K more)
Omaha, NE 68157 92%594$98,015$239,000$153 older residents
Brusly, LA 70719 92%897$105,522$233,100$163 Very close on everything we compare
Nashport, OH 43830 91%197$88,346$234,100$186 Very close on everything we compare
Carlisle, IA 50047 91%463$106,389$250,100$205 pricier homes ($32K more)
Kalona, IA 52247 91%372$91,450$298,900$151 pricier homes ($81K more)
Mount Vernon, IA 52314 90%353$109,244$265,100$177 pricier homes ($47K more)
West Liberty, OH 43357 89%141$92,448$235,300$212 older residents
La Fayette, NY 13084 88%432$91,389$227,200$157 older residents
Arcadia, IN 46030 88%160$90,536$246,000$179 pricier homes ($28K more) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Farley, IA 52046 88%330$96,151$273,600$137 pricier homes ($55K more) · smaller
Tolono, IL 61880 88%247$85,536$227,900$147 Very close on everything we compare
Lansing, KS 66043 88%579$103,060$271,200$153 pricier homes ($53K more) · larger · older residents
Stanton, TX 79782 88%1,174$102,986$171,000— cheaper homes ($47K less) · older residents
New Wilmington, PA 16142 87%230$84,205$226,300$153 Very close on everything we compare
Barnesville, MN 56514 87%660$100,845$264,800$145 pricier homes ($46K more) · 6 min longer commute
Hallsville, TX 75650 87%865$97,596$197,200$179 larger · newer homes
Mooreville, MS 38857 86%590$93,021$190,000$168 cheaper homes ($28K less) · newer homes
Anna, OH 45302 86%126$91,602$242,300$178 more single-family homes
Epworth, IA 52045 86%326$91,667$263,500$141 pricier homes ($45K more) · smaller
West Branch, IA 52358 86%349$91,686$240,300$152 older residents
De Witt, IA 52742 86%308$97,946$261,000$165 pricier homes ($43K more) · older residents
Lewiston, MN 55952 86%389$91,389$228,200$139 smaller · older residents
Saint Charles, MN 55972 86%397$98,878$287,800$166 pricier homes ($69K more) · older residents
Elk Point, SD 57025 86%619$94,839$237,900$179 smaller · older residents

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.