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 New Germany, MN 55367

New Germany: median income $94,107, home value $330,800, $256/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Conklin, MI 49403 89%421$85,000$279,600$207 cheaper homes ($51K less) · larger
Arlington, WI 53911 89%253$100,625$296,100$222 cheaper homes ($35K less) · newer homes
Westphalia, MO 65085 88%458$103,563$290,600$244 cheaper homes ($40K less) · newer homes
Humboldt, SD 57035 87%177$99,565$326,500— newer homes
Milford Center, OH 43045 86%627$99,181$275,000$176 cheaper homes ($56K less) · larger · older residents
Russia, OH 45363 86%583$95,268$316,900— larger · 5 min shorter commute · newer homes
Chaseburg, WI 54621 86%166$94,286$280,000$202 cheaper homes ($51K less) · newer homes
Fairfield, MT 59436 86%879$80,652$324,100$220 larger
North Franklin, CT 06254 85%1,118$105,000$326,200$246 larger · older residents · newer homes
Keymar, MD 21757 85%928$100,500$466,100$238 pricier homes ($135K more) · larger
Cutler, IN 46920 85%489$100,074$280,500— cheaper homes ($50K less) · newer homes
Castlewood, SD 57223 85%150$92,424$236,600$315 cheaper homes ($94K less) · newer homes
Powers Lake, ND 58773 85%487$103,750$262,500— cheaper homes ($68K less) · older residents
Buskirk, NY 12028 84%1,027$96,891$247,700— cheaper homes ($83K less) · newer homes
South Wales, NY 14139 84%783$86,402$285,100$226 cheaper homes ($46K less) · larger · older residents
Port Republic, VA 24471 84%904$97,396$395,500$227 pricier homes ($65K more) · larger · older residents
Westphalia, MI 48894 84%476$101,923$275,900$178 cheaper homes ($55K less) · larger
De Soto, IA 50069 84%233$98,056$232,100$202 cheaper homes ($99K less) · newer homes
Wilson, WI 54027 84%87$100,750$325,900$316 older residents · newer homes
Parker, SD 57053 84%188$93,393$273,800$212 cheaper homes ($57K less) · larger
Union, IL 60180 84%330$110,070$349,100$201 larger · older residents
Cherry Valley, MA 01611 83%1,118$109,868$359,800$292 pricier homes ($29K more) · larger
Malvern, IA 51551 83%281$85,469$212,400$250 cheaper homes ($118K less) · larger · older residents
Blairstown, IA 52209 83%227$86,094$223,400$278 cheaper homes ($107K less) · older residents
Clifton, ID 83228 83%919$73,750$292,300$192 cheaper homes ($39K 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.