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 Salix, IA 51052

Salix: median income $108,750, home value $281,100, $111/sq ft, 16-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Circle, MT 59215 84%576$86,000$216,000— cheaper homes ($65K less)
Davidsville, PA 15928 83%911$87,237$227,900$130 cheaper homes ($53K less) · larger
New England, ND 58647 82%433$84,583$227,300$133 cheaper homes ($54K less) · younger residents
Valley Springs, SD 57068 80%87$112,847$260,400$172 larger · 7 min longer commute · newer homes
Doniphan, NE 68832 80%153$96,641$250,000$154 cheaper homes ($31K less) · larger · younger residents
Wessington Springs, SD 57382 78%170$79,375$164,900$146 lower income ($29K less) · cheaper homes ($116K less)
Bird Island, MN 55310 77%182$87,292$160,500$113 cheaper homes ($121K less)
Oakfield, WI 53065 76%402$99,583$261,800$174 larger · younger residents
Alden, MN 56009 75%164$80,804$203,700$108 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($77K less) · younger residents
Hendricks, MN 56136 75%150$68,281$225,600$133 lower income ($40K less) · cheaper homes ($56K less)
Hallock, MN 56728 75%446$79,444$152,100$96 lower income ($29K less) · cheaper homes ($129K less)
Nashua, MT 59248 75%632$89,821$216,000— cheaper homes ($65K less) · younger residents · 8 min longer commute
Salisbury, VT 05769 74%1,171$99,792$316,000$230 pricier homes ($35K more)
Durhamville, NY 13054 74%1,045$94,100$227,500$96 cheaper homes ($54K less) · younger residents · 5 min longer commute
South Wayne, WI 53587 74%327$90,250$203,900$100 cheaper homes ($77K less) · younger residents · 6 min longer commute
Dow, IL 62022 74%388$110,703$188,300$109 cheaper homes ($93K less) · younger residents · 9 min longer commute
Hampton, NE 68843 74%127$92,778$250,000$140 cheaper homes ($31K less) · younger residents
Fort Jennings, OH 45844 73%629$88,792$231,300$123 cheaper homes ($50K less) · larger · younger residents
Waldron, IN 46182 73%588$89,567$254,300$146 cheaper homes ($27K less) · larger · 9 min longer commute
Cottonwood, MN 56229 73%160$104,375$205,600$103 cheaper homes ($76K less) · larger · younger residents
Princeville, IL 61559 73%350$101,200$183,800$107 cheaper homes ($97K less) · larger · younger residents
Big Stone City, SD 57216 72%205$88,203$201,300$197 cheaper homes ($80K less) · larger · newer homes
Hopedale, IL 61747 72%379$80,333$188,200$126 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($93K less) · younger residents
Fithian, IL 61844 72%463$105,179$153,400$139 cheaper homes ($128K less) · younger residents · 8 min longer commute
Alhambra, IL 62001 72%418$98,558$218,100$118 cheaper homes ($63K less) · larger · 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.