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 Oakfield, WI 53065

Oakfield: median income $99,583, home value $261,800, $174/sq ft, 20-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Doniphan, NE 68832 97%541$96,641$250,000$154 Very close on everything we compare
Arlington, OH 45814 94%316$91,115$207,000$160 cheaper homes ($55K less)
Fort Jennings, OH 45844 93%291$88,792$231,300$123 cheaper homes ($31K less)
Amboy, IN 46911 93%251$95,122$209,300$135 cheaper homes ($53K less)
Ottawa Lake, MI 49267 93%280$97,961$267,900$176 larger
Wellsville, PA 17365 92%647$91,742$261,800$155 5 min longer commute
Mertztown, PA 19539 92%695$107,656$266,700$228 larger
Sterling, OH 44276 92%393$86,583$231,300$152 cheaper homes ($31K less)
Janesville, IA 50647 92%210$104,063$314,200$144 pricier homes ($52K more)
Springville, IA 52336 92%184$91,458$225,300$179 cheaper homes ($37K less) · 7 min longer commute
Valley Springs, SD 57068 92%397$112,847$260,400$172 Very close on everything we compare
Port Byron, IL 61275 92%170$108,438$245,700$196 larger
Laotto, IN 46763 91%238$97,054$270,800$155 smaller · newer homes
Carlos, MN 56319 91%367$89,712$273,100$228 smaller
Larimore, ND 58251 91%525$100,625$232,300$192 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Utica, IL 61373 91%162$109,000$237,200$166 5 min longer commute
Arlington, NE 68002 91%424$93,220$299,700$130 pricier homes ($38K more)
Schaghticoke, NY 12154 90%752$106,136$251,300$197 Very close on everything we compare
Verona, NY 13478 90%652$83,986$185,800$196 cheaper homes ($76K less)
Russell, PA 16345 90%493$95,192$186,400$137 cheaper homes ($75K less)
Lucas, OH 44843 90%376$90,366$208,700$127 cheaper homes ($53K less)
La Salle, MI 48145 90%287$83,204$231,100$187 cheaper homes ($31K less) · 5 min longer commute
Fairbank, IA 50629 90%190$103,106$207,100$126 cheaper homes ($55K less)
Rollingstone, MN 55969 90%165$94,444$291,800$157 pricier homes ($30K more) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Waterville, MN 56096 90%252$87,679$278,000$160 6 min longer commute

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.