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 Andalusia, IL 61232

Andalusia: median income $73,971, home value $186,100, $118/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Genesee, PA 16923 98%663$73,864$173,900— Very close on everything we compare
Glenville, MN 56036 95%195$73,287$182,400$98 Very close on everything we compare
Montrose, IA 52639 94%74$68,625$163,800$103 Very close on everything we compare
Alden, MN 56009 93%211$80,804$203,700$108 Very close on everything we compare
Littlefork, MN 56653 93%499$74,583$168,900$119 Very close on everything we compare
East Sparta, OH 44626 92%489$78,929$185,800$159 larger
Eland, WI 54427 92%246$83,958$189,800$134 Very close on everything we compare
Bird Island, MN 55310 92%310$87,292$160,500$113 cheaper homes ($26K less)
Gilbert, MN 55741 92%426$69,545$164,500$155 larger
Frohna, MO 63748 92%267$59,478$177,000$100 Very close on everything we compare
Inman, KS 67546 92%436$76,739$192,800$107 larger
Mulberry, IN 46058 91%225$77,719$159,700$138 cheaper homes ($26K less)
Swayzee, IN 46986 91%263$79,438$162,600$112 younger residents
Eau Claire, MI 49111 91%231$70,915$176,300$141 larger
Garwin, IA 50632 91%111$71,667$132,700$123 cheaper homes ($53K less)
Silver Bay, MN 55614 91%410$72,981$181,700$156 larger
Milan, PA 18831 90%732$82,132$216,900$122 pricier homes ($31K more) · 5 min longer commute
Bloomingdale, OH 43910 90%522$71,396$181,600$153 larger
Kingsville, OH 44048 90%520$78,690$175,000$167 larger
New Madison, OH 45346 90%330$77,083$161,300$110 Very close on everything we compare
Laona, WI 54541 90%302$63,438$193,800$104 Very close on everything we compare
Enderlin, ND 58027 90%494$75,774$159,500$129 cheaper homes ($27K less) · older homes
New Salem, ND 58563 90%647$78,214$219,700$124 pricier homes ($34K more) · 6 min longer commute
Penn Run, PA 15765 89%613$73,646$186,000— 6 min longer commute
Fort Jennings, OH 45844 89%339$88,792$231,300$123 pricier homes ($45K more) · larger

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.