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.

Reset

Towns most like Red Lake Falls, MN 56750

Red Lake Falls: median income $71,875, home value $165,300, $105/sq ft, 22-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Williamsport, IN 47993 96%682$72,455$158,400$127 larger
Sherman, NY 14781 95%903$61,625$145,300$103 Very close on everything we compare
Forest City, PA 18421 95%1,103$68,256$171,400$109 larger
Osage City, KS 66523 95%640$74,716$167,200$122 larger
Munnsville, NY 13409 94%1,054$72,333$137,300— cheaper homes ($28K less)
Arkport, NY 14807 94%978$64,408$128,300$114 cheaper homes ($37K less)
Townville, PA 16360 94%908$71,528$161,500$96 smaller
Sanborn, IA 51248 94%326$64,375$172,800$108 smaller
Marengo, IA 52301 94%469$70,150$160,300$109 larger
New London, IA 52645 94%538$79,327$159,700$113 larger
Mellen, WI 54546 94%286$70,104$141,900$85 smaller
Durand, WI 54736 94%306$74,083$185,500$132 larger
Knoxville, IL 61448 94%565$82,500$146,100$116 larger
Steeleville, IL 62288 94%759$67,159$177,500$105 Very close on everything we compare
La Monte, MO 65337 94%645$71,500$169,000$119 Very close on everything we compare
Croghan, NY 13327 93%1,039$66,875$181,300$144 Very close on everything we compare
Hartley, IA 51346 93%327$72,426$156,800$127 older homes
Eddyville, IA 52553 93%498$64,583$150,000— Very close on everything we compare
Neillsville, WI 54456 93%355$66,934$174,500$130 larger
Granville, IL 61326 93%573$70,880$148,100$117 Very close on everything we compare
Altamont, IL 62411 93%716$66,111$134,900$131 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
Toledo, IL 62468 93%717$75,625$123,500$92 cheaper homes ($42K less)
Oran, MO 63771 93%817$70,603$133,400$117 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Keytesville, MO 65261 93%604$64,904$152,500$119 smaller
Inman, KS 67546 93%672$76,739$192,800$107 pricier homes ($28K more)

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.