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 Riceville, IA 50466

Riceville: median income $56,728, home value $209,800, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Ethan, SD 57334 90%273$62,167$206,500— smaller
Otis, CO 80743 89%578$67,734$226,300$154 Very close on everything we compare
North Fairfield, OH 44855 87%532$63,125$159,000$92 cheaper homes ($51K less) · smaller
Pearl City, IL 61062 87%158$66,667$196,900$93 newer homes
Hugo, CO 80821 87%640$66,071$264,500$42 pricier homes ($55K more)
Rushville, NY 14544 85%773$61,118$199,700$914 older residents · newer homes
Waynesfield, OH 45896 85%481$62,449$173,000$145 cheaper homes ($37K less) · more homeowners · newer homes
Laurel, NE 68745 85%238$63,953$190,600— 5 min shorter commute
Caney, KS 67333 84%473$63,103$161,200$97 cheaper homes ($49K less) · newer homes
Republic, OH 44867 83%511$72,716$167,000$96 cheaper homes ($43K less) · newer homes
South Whitley, IN 46787 83%389$62,242$166,600$126 cheaper homes ($43K less) · larger · newer homes
Waldron, MI 49288 83%428$66,833$147,500$129 cheaper homes ($62K less)
Smithton, PA 15479 82%696$63,852$202,700$204 newer homes
Sharon, WI 53585 82%202$74,779$200,400$229 more apartments and townhomes
Shullsburg, WI 53586 82%130$70,806$166,100$106 cheaper homes ($44K less) · older residents
Sterling, NE 68443 82%281$67,969$174,000$188 cheaper homes ($36K less) · smaller · older residents
Sharon Springs, NY 13459 81%906$65,893$172,600$173 cheaper homes ($37K less) · older residents · more apartments and townhomes
Collins, NY 14034 81%693$62,412$151,200$134 cheaper homes ($59K less) · older residents
Bloomville, OH 44818 81%516$63,922$141,300$116 cheaper homes ($69K less) · older residents
Arlington, IN 46104 81%443$61,146$217,600$134 smaller · older residents · more homeowners
Oxford, IN 47971 81%336$64,375$152,600$149 cheaper homes ($57K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Elroy, WI 53929 81%116$65,568$187,000$130 older residents · newer homes
Loganville, WI 53943 81%127$73,000$225,600— smaller · newer homes
Newman Grove, NE 68758 81%288$56,667$132,500$101 cheaper homes ($77K less) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Carey, ID 83320 81%1,070$57,813$245,500$258 pricier homes ($36K more) · younger 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.