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 Canistota, SD 57012

Canistota: median income $94,375, home value $180,200, $199/sq ft, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Helena, OH 43435 97%728$89,000$176,400$167 Very close on everything we compare
Ossian, IA 52161 93%279$87,870$171,400$182 6 min shorter commute
Malta, IL 60150 93%442$86,719$188,400$200 Very close on everything we compare
Memphis, NY 13112 92%1,047$96,615$195,400$160 larger
Kendall, NY 14476 92%964$90,536$188,800$192 larger
Bringhurst, IN 46913 92%591$91,136$171,800$183 younger residents
White Deer, TX 79097 92%600$88,182$144,600— cheaper homes ($36K less)
Elba, NY 14058 91%959$102,750$151,500$179 cheaper homes ($29K less) · larger
Spiceland, IN 47385 91%663$103,406$211,200$161 pricier homes ($31K more)
Stafford, NY 14143 90%964$95,893$181,900$159 Very close on everything we compare
New Ross, IN 47968 90%596$83,242$213,400$230 pricier homes ($33K more)
Roland, IA 50236 90%215$85,046$198,900$179 larger · older residents
Gowrie, IA 50543 90%176$91,563$155,100— cheaper homes ($25K less)
Winthrop, IA 50682 90%291$89,375$183,800$142 newer homes
Malvern, IA 51551 90%198$85,469$212,400$250 pricier homes ($32K more) · larger
Mapleton, MN 56065 90%168$92,933$223,100$146 pricier homes ($43K more) · larger
Berlin, NY 12022 89%1,203$96,875$208,100$221 pricier homes ($28K more) · 6 min longer commute
Woodville, OH 43469 89%723$86,410$205,500$161 pricier homes ($25K more) · larger · older residents
Randolph, NE 68771 89%83$83,580$162,500— Very close on everything we compare
Clayville, NY 13322 88%1,106$91,369$204,800$141 Very close on everything we compare
Elmore, OH 43416 88%727$88,611$197,100$158 larger
Chippewa Lake, OH 44215 88%804$80,893$222,900$199 pricier homes ($43K more) · larger
Kingsley, IA 51028 88%94$78,000$219,600$202 pricier homes ($39K more) · larger · older residents
Blairstown, IA 52209 88%288$86,094$223,400$278 pricier homes ($43K more) · newer homes
Orion, IL 61273 88%384$99,032$187,400$171 larger · 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.