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 Ishpeming, MI 49849

Ishpeming: median income $67,518, home value $152,100, $178/sq ft, 22-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Springfield, OH 45504 94%489$69,960$180,600$151 pricier homes ($29K more)
Palmyra, NY 14522 93%564$75,116$159,500$165 Very close on everything we compare
North Manchester, IN 46962 93%388$67,984$159,600$135 Very close on everything we compare
Napoleon, OH 43545 92%391$78,548$170,900$151 Very close on everything we compare
Boone, IA 50036 92%429$79,255$194,400$171 pricier homes ($42K more)
Newfane, NY 14108 91%492$76,345$162,700$152 smaller
Brookville, PA 15825 91%563$64,130$158,700$204 older residents
Jersey Shore, PA 17740 91%631$70,236$179,600$142 pricier homes ($28K more)
Massillon, OH 44647 91%496$67,140$155,200$156 older residents
Ashland, OH 44805 91%470$68,299$174,300$153 larger
Homer City, PA 15748 90%594$70,474$153,600$125 smaller
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403 90%496$69,851$153,800$141 smaller
North East, PA 16428 90%487$78,675$193,300$168 pricier homes ($41K more)
Williamsport, PA 17702 90%642$70,210$196,900$146 pricier homes ($45K more)
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 90%703$68,558$169,600$137 Very close on everything we compare
Wauseon, OH 43567 90%380$70,417$189,600$158 pricier homes ($38K more) · newer homes
Bellevue, OH 44811 90%431$70,060$172,100$136 Very close on everything we compare
Two Rivers, WI 54241 90%157$61,014$156,300$146 older residents
Milan, IL 61264 90%374$78,068$153,300$146 newer homes
Ottawa, IL 61350 90%356$77,921$164,500$160 larger
Le Roy, NY 14482 89%534$74,216$177,700$129 pricier homes ($26K more)
Penn Yan, NY 14527 89%585$70,758$194,700$210 pricier homes ($43K more) · older residents
Vienna, WV 26105 89%582$61,674$161,100$131 newer homes
Kenton, OH 43326 89%450$63,785$153,200$127 Very close on everything we compare
Shelby, OH 44875 89%460$61,276$161,500$139 Very close on everything we compare

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.