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 Early, IA 50535

Early: median income $91,995, home value $94,800, $82/sq ft, 23-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Armour, SD 57313 88%171$89,107$117,300— Very close on everything we compare
Rossville, IL 60963 88%415$66,250$98,300$87 lower income ($26K less)
Bement, IL 61813 87%385$84,063$103,800$94 larger · newer homes
Clarkfield, MN 56223 86%164$71,667$110,000$74 newer homes
Ashkum, IL 60911 86%388$89,792$158,700$91 pricier homes ($64K more)
Cerro Gordo, IL 61818 86%380$84,375$116,100$86 older residents · newer homes
Barry, IL 62312 86%287$68,571$98,300$105 larger
Kirkwood, IL 61447 85%253$82,583$95,900$117 Very close on everything we compare
Burrton, KS 67020 85%333$80,680$130,200$77 pricier homes ($35K more) · newer homes
Elgin, NE 68636 85%152$78,056$113,800— newer homes
Lyndonville, NY 14098 84%851$91,042$136,700$93 pricier homes ($42K more) · larger · newer homes
Chatsworth, IL 60921 84%374$78,333$107,600$83 newer homes
Sheffield, IL 61361 84%290$91,250$147,200$88 pricier homes ($52K more)
Flanagan, IL 61740 84%343$79,904$143,600$86 pricier homes ($49K more) · older residents
Kansas, IL 61933 84%427$75,938$86,600$96 older residents
White Deer, TX 79097 83%582$88,182$144,600— pricier homes ($50K more) · newer homes
Menno, SD 57045 82%133$76,042$117,900$108 older residents · newer homes
Oneida, IL 61467 82%271$88,472$136,700$71 pricier homes ($42K more)
Forrest, IL 61741 82%368$87,850$167,700$99 pricier homes ($73K more)
Clarkson, NE 68629 82%112$78,438$132,800— pricier homes ($38K more)
Wausa, NE 68786 82%122$78,750$103,400$91 older residents
Ashton, IL 61006 81%308$75,938$155,500$107 pricier homes ($61K more)
Randolph, NE 68771 81%111$83,580$162,500— pricier homes ($68K more)
Andover, NY 14806 80%887$74,688$93,200$65 larger · older residents · newer homes
Lamberton, MN 56152 80%124$75,536$129,900$90 pricier homes ($35K more) · 7 min shorter commute

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.