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 Eland, WI 54427

Eland: median income $83,958, home value $189,800, $134/sq ft, 23-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Milan, PA 18831 96%669$82,132$216,900$122 pricier homes ($27K more)
Mansfield, IL 61854 96%321$86,705$165,600$148 Very close on everything we compare
Amboy, IN 46911 95%336$95,122$209,300$135 Very close on everything we compare
Dalton, MN 56324 95%336$82,917$252,600$160 pricier homes ($63K more)
Nashua, MT 59248 95%843$89,821$216,000— pricier homes ($26K more)
Hopedale, IL 61747 95%304$80,333$188,200$126 Very close on everything we compare
Indiahoma, OK 73552 95%866$85,500$152,900— cheaper homes ($37K less)
Mulberry, IN 46058 94%337$77,719$159,700$138 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
Converse, IN 46919 94%340$83,664$193,300$153 larger
Altura, MN 55910 94%143$76,389$259,100$134 pricier homes ($69K more)
Greentop, MO 63546 94%353$72,404$173,600$143 Very close on everything we compare
Arcadia, MO 63621 94%512$87,825$175,300$165 Very close on everything we compare
Darien Center, NY 14040 93%557$88,779$210,100$141 larger
Lucas, OH 44843 93%449$90,366$208,700$127 larger
Stilesville, IN 46180 93%383$90,208$228,600$168 pricier homes ($39K more)
Swayzee, IN 46986 93%345$79,438$162,600$112 cheaper homes ($27K less)
Iron, MN 55751 93%241$75,200$202,400$172 Very close on everything we compare
New Salem, ND 58563 93%602$78,214$219,700$124 pricier homes ($30K more) · larger
Mechanicsburg, IL 62545 93%349$84,815$178,900$136 5 min longer commute
Oreana, IL 62554 93%339$95,625$152,600$122 cheaper homes ($37K less) · larger
Scenery Hill, PA 15360 92%571$85,341$246,300$140 pricier homes ($57K more)
Sterling, OH 44276 92%462$86,583$231,300$152 pricier homes ($42K more) · larger · younger residents
Fort Jennings, OH 45844 92%369$88,792$231,300$123 pricier homes ($42K more) · larger
Climax, MI 49034 92%266$73,929$213,600$180 larger
Bark River, MI 49807 92%116$75,329$178,800$135 larger

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.