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 Ireton, IA 51027

Ireton: median income $100,893, home value $227,200, $82/sq ft, 22-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Axtell, NE 68924 93%222$85,000$236,800$103 Very close on everything we compare
Luckey, OH 43443 92%666$97,917$207,100$115 Very close on everything we compare
Pender, NE 68047 92%62$87,375$217,000$111 larger
Durhamville, NY 13054 91%1,040$94,100$227,500$96 older residents
Philo, IL 61864 89%469$110,139$230,000$123 larger
Pleasanton, NE 68866 89%199$94,792$262,300— pricier homes ($35K more) · newer homes
Ashkum, IL 60911 88%454$89,792$158,700$91 cheaper homes ($69K less)
Forrest, IL 61741 88%435$87,850$167,700$99 cheaper homes ($60K less)
Battle Creek, NE 68715 88%93$95,714$238,800$123 Very close on everything we compare
Mineral Point, PA 15942 87%918$84,875$185,000$88 cheaper homes ($42K less) · larger
Maria Stein, OH 45860 87%634$111,269$296,000— pricier homes ($69K more) · larger
Adrian, MN 56110 87%49$77,875$176,400$103 cheaper homes ($51K less)
Richardton, ND 58652 87%396$79,524$205,000$78 Very close on everything we compare
Mc Lean, IL 61754 87%412$98,681$162,500$110 cheaper homes ($65K less) · 6 min longer commute
Wilber, NE 68465 87%175$91,964$204,600$121 larger
Wood River, NE 68883 87%190$90,966$206,000$119 larger
Casnovia, MI 49318 86%530$81,591$240,600$90 Very close on everything we compare
Cottonwood, MN 56229 86%117$104,375$205,600$103 6 min shorter commute
Minneota, MN 56264 86%111$81,071$189,600$81 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger
Congerville, IL 61729 86%401$101,172$259,100— pricier homes ($32K more) · newer homes
Minier, IL 61759 86%401$91,591$161,700$114 cheaper homes ($66K less)
Shelby, NE 68662 86%135$89,706$168,900$93 cheaper homes ($58K less)
Mapleton, MN 56065 85%136$92,933$223,100$146 larger
Roanoke, IL 61561 85%395$86,071$150,800$107 cheaper homes ($76K less) · larger
Weeping Water, NE 68463 85%145$85,972$199,500$128 cheaper homes ($28K 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.