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 Champlin, MN 55316

Champlin: median income $116,102, home value $358,700, $201/sq ft, 25-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Bethlehem, PA 18020 96%962$126,166$370,200$211 Very close on everything we compare
Easton, PA 18045 91%964$114,528$337,200$224 Very close on everything we compare
Sewell, NJ 08080 90%1,002$122,262$357,000$229 larger
South Elgin, IL 60177 90%336$126,144$340,000$219 Very close on everything we compare
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 89%1,037$98,217$313,200$232 cheaper homes ($46K less) · larger
Harrisburg, PA 17112 89%903$103,876$313,000$179 cheaper homes ($46K less) · larger
Lakeland, FL 33813 89%1,345$99,497$366,300$202 larger
Mokena, IL 60448 89%373$120,761$385,900$208 pricier homes ($27K more) · 6 min longer commute · less walkable
North Richland Hills, TX 76182 89%873$120,558$403,000$206 pricier homes ($44K more)
Kennewick, WA 99337 89%1,240$98,848$395,500$225 pricier homes ($37K more)
Waukesha, WI 53189 88%295$117,008$406,200$243 pricier homes ($48K more) · less walkable
Grayslake, IL 60030 88%329$104,795$292,400$200 cheaper homes ($66K less) · larger
Hurst, TX 76054 88%875$109,881$377,800$214 smaller
Milton, VT 05468 87%989$114,709$372,200$255 smaller · less walkable
Absecon, NJ 08205 87%1,041$93,370$292,400$208 cheaper homes ($66K less)
Vineland, NJ 08361 87%1,017$99,050$285,900$207 cheaper homes ($73K less)
Aston, PA 19014 87%982$96,781$329,800$221 cheaper homes ($29K less) · older homes
Dyer, IN 46311 87%389$116,652$331,600$184 cheaper homes ($27K less) · 7 min longer commute
Algonquin, IL 60102 87%328$132,949$349,900$206 6 min longer commute
Chesapeake, VA 23323 86%1,059$108,730$388,300$222 pricier homes ($30K more) · larger · younger residents
Deforest, WI 53532 86%240$110,022$371,600$227 less walkable
Cary, IL 60013 86%328$120,604$314,400$190 cheaper homes ($44K less) · 5 min longer commute · less walkable
Crystal Lake, IL 60014 86%324$109,016$323,800$193 cheaper homes ($35K less) · larger
Chesapeake, VA 23321 85%1,053$101,568$367,900$209 larger · less walkable
Debary, FL 32713 85%1,304$88,500$349,400$203 lower income ($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.