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 Fountain, MN 55935

Fountain: median income $85,000, home value $246,800, $153/sq ft, 25-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Sidney, IL 61877 93%331$96,750$209,700$146 cheaper homes ($37K less)
Sterling, OH 44276 92%560$86,583$231,300$152 larger
Roland, IA 50236 92%128$85,046$198,900$179 cheaper homes ($48K less) · larger
New Berlin, PA 17855 91%798$88,929$216,700$151 cheaper homes ($30K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Monroe, IA 50170 91%160$88,704$217,000$149 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
Argyle, WI 53504 91%135$83,690$220,700$188 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger
Elmwood, NE 68349 91%291$76,369$218,200$122 cheaper homes ($29K less)
Clayville, NY 13322 90%849$91,369$204,800$141 cheaper homes ($42K less) · less walkable
Turbotville, PA 17772 90%805$81,146$241,900$136 larger
Ogden, IA 50212 90%150$81,838$221,300$150 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger
Lake Park, IA 51347 90%160$82,750$201,600$157 cheaper homes ($45K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Central City, IA 52214 90%111$86,786$234,600$129 larger
Powers Lake, ND 58773 90%607$103,750$262,500— Very close on everything we compare
Wood River, NE 68883 90%387$90,966$206,000$119 cheaper homes ($41K less) · larger
Coal Center, PA 15423 89%678$77,857$185,900$215 cheaper homes ($61K less) · larger
Hegins, PA 17938 89%828$93,722$219,000$151 cheaper homes ($28K less) · larger
Woodville, OH 43469 89%473$86,410$205,500$161 cheaper homes ($41K less) · larger
La Porte City, IA 50651 89%96$88,333$187,600$134 cheaper homes ($59K less) · larger
Shell Rock, IA 50670 89%74$84,679$171,500$134 cheaper homes ($75K less) · larger
Durant, IA 52747 89%159$82,313$198,300$178 cheaper homes ($49K less) · larger
Lynn Center, IL 61262 89%192$86,250$244,700$119 less walkable
Mead, NE 68041 89%281$74,000$251,300— 5 min shorter commute
Fleming, CO 80728 89%589$67,863$225,000$126 Very close on everything we compare
Scenery Hill, PA 15360 88%669$85,341$246,300$140 larger · older residents
Dornsife, PA 17823 88%812$78,864$232,100— Very close on everything we compare

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.