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 Alton, IA 51003

Alton: median income $101,250, home value $232,700, $119/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Battle Creek, NE 68715 98%105$95,714$238,800$123 Very close on everything we compare
Holland Patent, NY 13354 93%1,045$101,733$241,900$158 larger
Lewiston, MN 55952 93%219$91,389$228,200$139 Very close on everything we compare
Lexington, IL 61753 93%405$104,119$185,700$128 cheaper homes ($47K less)
Deansboro, NY 13328 92%1,038$105,000$204,000$166 cheaper homes ($29K less)
Adams Center, NY 13606 92%1,004$88,977$203,900$143 cheaper homes ($29K less)
Philo, IL 61864 92%455$110,139$230,000$123 Very close on everything we compare
Pleasanton, NE 68866 92%211$94,792$262,300— pricier homes ($30K more) · smaller
Wood River, NE 68883 92%200$90,966$206,000$119 cheaper homes ($27K less)
Memphis, NY 13112 91%988$96,615$195,400$160 cheaper homes ($37K less) · older homes
Clayville, NY 13322 91%1,047$91,369$204,800$141 cheaper homes ($28K less) · smaller
Cleveland, WI 53015 91%419$88,810$222,200$164 Very close on everything we compare
Grand Meadow, MN 55936 91%180$85,114$232,500$146 older residents
Courtland, MN 56021 91%123$96,563$276,800$140 pricier homes ($44K more) · smaller
Lake Crystal, MN 56055 91%120$90,987$226,100$120 larger
Cottonwood, MN 56229 91%113$104,375$205,600$103 cheaper homes ($27K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Ipswich, SD 57451 91%226$86,000$195,700$122 cheaper homes ($37K less)
Orion, IL 61273 91%309$99,032$187,400$171 cheaper homes ($45K less) · larger
Congerville, IL 61729 91%387$101,172$259,100— pricier homes ($26K more) · smaller
Heyworth, IL 61745 91%407$107,835$228,400$138 larger
Olpe, KS 66865 91%326$93,333$181,600$125 cheaper homes ($51K less) · smaller
Chapman, KS 67431 91%282$82,500$199,500$117 cheaper homes ($33K less)
Arlington, NE 68002 91%107$93,220$299,700$130 pricier homes ($67K more) · older residents
Hegins, PA 17938 90%1,017$93,722$219,000$151 6 min longer commute
Botkins, OH 45306 90%634$86,354$255,600$157 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.