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 Norway, IA 52318

Norway: median income $85,625, home value $188,400, $124/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Attica, OH 44807 89%468$87,356$153,200$120 cheaper homes ($35K less) · larger
Alden, MN 56009 89%148$80,804$203,700$108 newer homes
Enderlin, ND 58027 88%431$75,774$159,500$129 cheaper homes ($29K less)
Bird Island, MN 55310 87%247$87,292$160,500$113 cheaper homes ($28K less) · newer homes
Elizabeth, IL 61028 87%91$86,053$174,400$118 larger · younger residents · 6 min longer commute
Whitewater, KS 67154 87%389$67,813$131,700$121 cheaper homes ($57K less)
Rock City, IL 61070 86%129$84,167$157,000$168 cheaper homes ($31K less) · 7 min longer commute
Kenesaw, NE 68956 86%362$94,231$203,700$123 newer homes
Silver Bay, MN 55614 85%379$72,981$181,700$156 larger · newer homes
Tyler, MN 56178 85%270$87,031$165,400$125 larger · younger residents
La Moille, IL 61330 85%136$69,005$147,600$115 cheaper homes ($41K less) · younger residents
Fithian, IL 61844 85%243$105,179$153,400$139 cheaper homes ($35K less) · newer homes
West Alexander, PA 15376 84%606$86,607$218,900$121 pricier homes ($31K more) · 9 min longer commute
Hanska, MN 56041 84%204$80,833$197,700$151 younger residents
Sherburn, MN 56171 84%188$72,554$169,800$122 younger residents · newer homes
Dorchester, NE 68343 84%284$74,554$173,400$99 younger residents · newer homes
Kent, NY 14477 83%706$96,607$172,200$196 larger · newer homes
Crescent, PA 15046 83%613$81,992$195,600$178 larger · newer homes
New Madison, OH 45346 83%397$77,083$161,300$110 cheaper homes ($27K less) · larger · newer homes
Palmyra, MI 49268 83%410$80,833$164,600$176 younger residents
Centerville, SD 57014 83%272$77,000$261,400$139 pricier homes ($73K more) · larger · younger residents
Sutton, NE 68979 83%323$85,862$157,900$169 cheaper homes ($31K less) · newer homes
Cherry Valley, NY 13320 82%876$86,204$184,600$126 larger · younger residents · 5 min longer commute
Wilson, NY 14172 82%671$81,330$196,200$209 larger
Davidsville, PA 15928 82%684$87,237$227,900$130 pricier homes ($40K more) · larger · 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.