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 Elgin, IL 60124

Elgin: median income $139,982, home value $430,900, $211/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Harrisburg, NC 28075 97%622$144,288$482,800$205 pricier homes ($52K more)
Gilbertsville, PA 19525 95%675$140,403$405,400$216 cheaper homes ($26K less)
Saint John, IN 46373 95%61$127,146$408,900$187 Very close on everything we compare
Union, KY 41091 94%287$136,307$399,500$193 cheaper homes ($31K less)
Macomb, MI 48042 94%282$126,667$410,000$192 Very close on everything we compare
Bulverde, TX 78163 94%1,016$140,594$435,600$207 Very close on everything we compare
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 93%705$157,009$488,100$252 pricier homes ($57K more)
Summerfield, NC 27358 93%606$138,717$444,400$205 smaller
Helotes, TX 78023 93%1,033$134,007$412,900$169 Very close on everything we compare
Berthoud, CO 80513 93%877$126,726$600,600$249 pricier homes ($170K more)
Matthews, NC 28104 92%635$138,017$533,500$253 pricier homes ($103K more)
South Lyon, MI 48178 92%243$131,558$410,500$203 larger
Commerce Township, MI 48382 92%252$137,768$420,200$215 older homes
Sachse, TX 75048 92%771$131,087$407,200$181 Very close on everything we compare
Mechanicsville, VA 23116 91%658$141,711$433,900$228 5 min shorter commute
Saint Augustine, FL 32092 91%918$131,020$489,800$216 pricier homes ($59K more) · larger
Saint Augustine, FL 32095 91%916$136,038$525,000$229 pricier homes ($94K more)
Clarkston, MI 48348 91%259$129,410$444,500$212 older homes
Saint Michael, MN 55376 91%343$131,266$389,200$185 cheaper homes ($42K less) · younger residents
Eureka, MO 63025 91%270$125,676$391,500$181 cheaper homes ($39K less)
Lees Summit, MO 64082 91%385$131,453$411,700$193 Very close on everything we compare
Fleming Island, FL 32003 90%904$116,611$422,400$209 Very close on everything we compare
Valrico, FL 33596 90%1,036$116,465$432,300$212 Very close on everything we compare
Springboro, OH 45066 90%276$131,250$393,500$181 cheaper homes ($37K less) · younger residents
Prior Lake, MN 55372 90%313$145,499$467,400$206 pricier homes ($37K more) · 5 min shorter 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.