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 Ethan, SD 57334

Ethan: median income $62,167, home value $206,500, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Pearl City, IL 61062 93%422$66,667$196,900$93 larger
Otis, CO 80743 93%344$67,734$226,300$154 Very close on everything we compare
Smithton, PA 15479 90%966$63,852$202,700$204 larger · older residents
Riceville, IA 50466 90%273$56,728$209,800— larger
Hokah, MN 55941 90%332$72,500$219,400$253 Very close on everything we compare
Murdock, MN 56271 90%172$64,861$222,700— Very close on everything we compare
Rushville, NY 14544 89%1,045$61,118$199,700$914 larger · older residents
Kellogg, IA 50135 89%287$65,250$165,200$157 cheaper homes ($41K less) · larger
Melbourne, IA 50162 89%273$71,417$176,600$135 cheaper homes ($30K less) · older residents
Primghar, IA 51245 89%122$69,531$149,700$97 cheaper homes ($57K less)
Neola, IA 51559 89%186$74,761$201,800$123 larger
Laurel, NE 68745 89%90$63,953$190,600— larger
Cairo, NE 68824 89%179$77,989$219,900$115 Very close on everything we compare
Oak Ridge, LA 71264 89%827$68,750$158,100— cheaper homes ($48K less)
Stratton, CO 80836 89%378$65,208$217,800$131 older residents
North Fairfield, OH 44855 88%803$63,125$159,000$92 cheaper homes ($48K less)
Woodbine, IA 51579 88%171$72,500$204,400$121 larger · 6 min shorter commute
Rossville, KS 66533 88%322$62,237$195,100$146 newer homes
Arnold, NE 69120 88%182$69,886$158,200— cheaper homes ($48K less) · older residents
Happy, TX 79042 88%643$70,590$148,500$161 cheaper homes ($58K less)
Malta, ID 83342 88%783$56,818$224,300$208 newer homes
East Bethany, NY 14054 87%998$79,286$172,300$142 cheaper homes ($34K less)
Sharon, WI 53585 87%473$74,779$200,400$229 larger
Hugo, CO 80821 87%420$66,071$264,500$42 pricier homes ($58K more) · older homes
Scipio Center, NY 13147 86%1,077$74,934$155,600$152 cheaper homes ($51K less)

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.