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 Big Rock, IL 60511

Big Rock: median income $158,625, home value $337,800, $172/sq ft, 19-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Plymouth, CT 06782 86%798$124,708$326,700$207 lower income ($34K less) · 5 min longer commute
Graytown, OH 43432 83%273$152,411$244,700$249 cheaper homes ($93K less) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Rush, NY 14543 79%561$122,654$255,900$213 lower income ($36K less) · cheaper homes ($82K less) · larger
Lohman, MO 65053 79%301$120,870$341,400$144 lower income ($38K less) · newer homes
Bayport, MN 55003 78%310$125,893$376,900$201 lower income ($33K less) · pricier homes ($39K more) · larger
Preston, CT 06365 76%853$117,045$361,400$274 lower income ($42K less) · larger
Harwinton, CT 06791 76%796$129,762$351,700$221 lower income ($29K less) · larger · 7 min longer commute
Mount Calvary, WI 53057 76%143$105,909$238,200$204 lower income ($53K less) · cheaper homes ($100K less)
Valley Springs, SD 57068 76%423$112,847$260,400$172 lower income ($46K less) · cheaper homes ($77K less) · newer homes
Janesville, IA 50647 75%211$104,063$314,200$144 lower income ($55K less) · newer homes
Zionsville, PA 18092 74%682$112,721$422,200$219 lower income ($46K less) · pricier homes ($84K more) · larger
Webster, MN 55088 74%309$132,917$510,300$245 lower income ($26K less) · pricier homes ($173K more) · 7 min longer commute
Mertztown, PA 19539 73%674$107,656$266,700$228 lower income ($51K less) · cheaper homes ($71K less) · larger
Feura Bush, NY 12067 72%750$125,521$390,700$219 lower income ($33K less) · pricier homes ($53K more) · smaller
Danielsville, PA 18038 72%679$117,121$279,700$235 lower income ($42K less) · cheaper homes ($58K less) · larger
Long Grove, IA 52756 72%104$116,250$358,000$189 lower income ($42K less) · newer homes
Oakfield, WI 53065 72%133$99,583$261,800$174 lower income ($59K less) · cheaper homes ($76K less)
Waldo, WI 53093 72%134$101,429$274,800$223 lower income ($57K less) · cheaper homes ($63K less)
Eldorado, WI 54932 72%144$110,125$271,000$202 lower income ($49K less) · cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller
Salisbury, VT 05769 71%795$99,792$316,000$230 lower income ($59K less) · smaller
Granby, MA 01033 70%822$119,297$352,600$277 lower income ($39K less) · larger
Monroeville, NJ 08343 70%715$141,842$344,400$221 larger · 10 min longer commute · newer homes
Cropseyville, NY 12052 70%772$118,424$243,500$233 lower income ($40K less) · cheaper homes ($94K less) · 7 min longer commute
Negley, OH 44441 70%420$144,412$218,400$185 cheaper homes ($119K less) · 10 min longer commute · newer homes
Newton, WI 53063 70%158$100,000$257,200$214 lower income ($59K less) · cheaper homes ($81K 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.