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 Racine, MN 55967

Racine: median income $109,583, home value $317,700, $210/sq ft, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Eldorado, WI 54932 94%194$110,125$271,000$202 cheaper homes ($47K less)
Washington Boro, PA 17582 93%867$100,263$304,800$211 larger
Underwood, IA 51576 93%230$110,476$305,400$180 larger
Crescent, IA 51526 91%237$95,179$334,300$206 larger
Arlington, WI 53911 91%162$100,625$296,100$222 Very close on everything we compare
Westphalia, MO 65085 91%371$103,563$290,600$244 cheaper homes ($27K less)
North Franklin, CT 06254 90%1,043$105,000$326,200$246 larger
Metamora, OH 43540 90%460$119,583$259,300$167 cheaper homes ($58K less) · larger
Humboldt, SD 57035 90%227$99,565$326,500— larger · younger residents
Utica, IL 61373 90%246$109,000$237,200$166 cheaper homes ($81K less) · larger
Schaghticoke, NY 12154 89%950$106,136$251,300$197 cheaper homes ($66K less) · larger
Cutler, IN 46920 89%387$100,074$280,500— cheaper homes ($37K less) · younger residents
Wilson, WI 54027 89%82$100,750$325,900$316 Very close on everything we compare
Krakow, WI 54137 89%222$85,714$240,600$238 cheaper homes ($77K less)
Agency, MO 64401 89%306$99,398$271,900— cheaper homes ($46K less) · larger
Martell, NE 68404 89%306$112,643$313,100$312 older residents
Donahue, IA 52746 88%172$107,813$336,900$159 Very close on everything we compare
Taylor Ridge, IL 61284 88%190$100,505$236,900$204 cheaper homes ($81K less) · larger
Port Republic, VA 24471 87%808$97,396$395,500$227 pricier homes ($78K more) · larger
Eagle, MI 48822 87%396$91,299$300,900$176 larger
Newton, WI 53063 87%237$100,000$257,200$214 cheaper homes ($61K less) · larger
Waldo, WI 53093 87%228$101,429$274,800$223 cheaper homes ($43K less) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Union, IL 60180 87%230$110,070$349,100$201 pricier homes ($31K more) · larger · more renters
Fairfield, VT 05455 86%965$110,147$335,800$209 more apartments and townhomes
Estell Manor, NJ 08319 86%963$100,278$315,000$219 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.