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 Mitchellville, IA 50169

Mitchellville: median income $83,938, home value $227,000, $151/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Brillion, WI 54110 95%319$73,685$223,900$150 larger
Hayfield, MN 55940 95%157$83,885$245,900$154 Very close on everything we compare
Le Center, MN 56057 95%189$91,250$248,300$161 Very close on everything we compare
Montgomery, MN 56069 95%192$87,118$269,700$183 pricier homes ($43K more)
Womelsdorf, PA 19567 94%898$91,458$250,600$168 larger
Melrose, MN 56352 94%286$73,721$229,100$131 larger
Cottonwood, ID 83522 94%1,181$79,688$250,000$178 Very close on everything we compare
Mill Hall, PA 17751 93%823$75,072$215,100$143 larger
Pierceton, IN 46562 93%398$68,902$195,900$165 cheaper homes ($31K less)
Bonduel, WI 54107 93%325$79,815$210,700$160 older residents
Whitelaw, WI 54247 93%329$78,417$202,500$211 Very close on everything we compare
Spencer, WI 54479 93%263$77,371$182,800$148 cheaper homes ($44K less)
Lewiston, MN 55952 93%177$91,389$228,200$139 Very close on everything we compare
Marcy, NY 13403 92%927$86,300$226,600$168 larger
Adams Center, NY 13606 92%892$88,977$203,900$143 Very close on everything we compare
Mannsville, NY 13661 92%888$82,297$183,400$117 cheaper homes ($44K less) · smaller
Martinsburg, PA 16662 92%789$73,828$221,400$147 larger
Reedsville, PA 17084 92%821$80,197$197,000$121 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Saint Thomas, PA 17252 92%823$73,629$202,700$136 Very close on everything we compare
Lewisport, KY 42351 92%430$76,213$169,200$163 cheaper homes ($58K less)
Burton, OH 44021 92%631$82,008$242,900$170 larger
Enon, OH 45323 92%509$80,781$187,900$168 cheaper homes ($39K less)
Rossville, IN 46065 92%363$80,104$216,300$133 Very close on everything we compare
Leslie, MI 49251 92%462$85,253$206,300$149 larger
Mc Bain, MI 49657 92%448$76,250$196,400$165 cheaper homes ($31K less)

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.