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 Garwin, IA 50632

Garwin: median income $71,667, home value $132,700, $123/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Howard, SD 57349 96%280$75,179$153,000$130 Very close on everything we compare
Kewanna, IN 46939 95%333$69,000$140,700— larger
Tampico, IL 61283 95%152$64,063$122,300$103 Very close on everything we compare
Alpha, IL 61413 95%134$73,125$120,100$104 Very close on everything we compare
Andrews, IN 46702 94%376$77,727$158,300$143 pricier homes ($26K more) · larger
Unionville, MI 48767 94%479$77,938$123,100— larger
Tekonsha, MI 49092 94%395$64,211$156,400$126 larger
Heron Lake, MN 56137 94%178$71,250$123,900$141 Very close on everything we compare
Lyons Falls, NY 13368 93%883$62,159$128,700$147 Very close on everything we compare
Stoystown, PA 15563 93%727$62,411$139,600$128 larger
Glenville, MN 56036 93%106$73,287$182,400$98 pricier homes ($50K more)
La Moille, IL 61330 93%179$69,005$147,600$115 older homes
Wyanet, IL 61379 93%168$63,750$103,200$134 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Hay Springs, NE 69347 93%511$76,133$116,300— Very close on everything we compare
New Madison, OH 45346 92%440$77,083$161,300$110 pricier homes ($29K more)
Swayzee, IN 46986 92%372$79,438$162,600$112 pricier homes ($30K more)
Sherburn, MN 56171 92%150$72,554$169,800$122 pricier homes ($37K more)
Enderlin, ND 58027 92%396$75,774$159,500$129 pricier homes ($27K more)
Frankfort, KS 66427 92%258$79,481$133,600— Very close on everything we compare
Waverly, KS 66871 92%299$71,094$145,100— 5 min longer commute
Nevada, OH 44849 91%503$69,902$145,700$166 larger
La Fontaine, IN 46940 91%375$64,089$128,100$127 larger
Andalusia, IL 61232 91%111$73,971$186,100$118 pricier homes ($53K more)
Avon, IL 61415 91%153$68,036$113,300$147 Very close on everything we compare
Ashmore, IL 61912 91%301$74,954$135,100$117 newer homes

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.