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 Balaton, MN 56115

Balaton: median income $64,000, home value $193,300, $106/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Roann, IN 46974 94%554$61,528$179,600$139 Very close on everything we compare
Schleswig, IA 51461 93%144$73,768$183,100— Very close on everything we compare
Malinta, OH 43535 92%633$67,083$172,100$141 Very close on everything we compare
Galien, MI 49113 92%502$59,219$171,600$117 larger
North English, IA 52316 92%268$60,768$150,600$94 cheaper homes ($43K less)
Dorchester, NE 68343 92%255$74,554$173,400$99 5 min shorter commute
Fleming, CO 80728 92%434$67,863$225,000$126 pricier homes ($32K more) · younger residents
La Crosse, IN 46348 91%499$64,375$168,800$109 younger residents
New Madison, OH 45346 90%643$77,083$161,300$110 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Anita, IA 50020 90%200$75,417$154,600$114 cheaper homes ($39K less)
Colo, IA 50056 90%201$73,333$184,500$148 Very close on everything we compare
Jewell, IA 50130 90%174$78,594$169,000$125 Very close on everything we compare
Rockwell, IA 50469 90%158$71,250$211,700$97 7 min shorter commute
Sheffield, IA 50475 90%163$70,938$165,300$122 cheaper homes ($28K less)
Greene, IA 50636 90%180$70,066$154,700$86 cheaper homes ($39K less) · larger
Dysart, IA 52224 90%229$69,805$177,000$90 larger · younger residents
Shullsburg, WI 53586 90%306$70,806$166,100$106 cheaper homes ($27K less) · larger · younger residents
Delavan, IL 61734 90%420$71,435$152,700$100 cheaper homes ($41K less) · larger
Mount Savage, MD 21545 89%926$60,264$130,700$111 cheaper homes ($63K less) · larger
Clayton, MI 49235 89%611$64,219$173,500$124 larger · 5 min longer commute
George, IA 51237 89%61$61,667$159,500$89 cheaper homes ($34K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Mechanicsville, IA 52306 89%282$61,875$167,500$140 cheaper homes ($26K less)
La Moille, IL 61330 89%382$69,005$147,600$115 cheaper homes ($46K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Waverly, KS 66871 89%404$71,094$145,100— cheaper homes ($48K less) · newer homes
Blue Hill, NE 68930 89%300$65,875$184,000$135 newer homes

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.