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 Groveland, IL 61535

Groveland: median income $128,125, home value $242,900, $163/sq ft, 19-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Hudson, IA 50643 95%196$125,804$244,400$166 larger
Tecumseh, KS 66542 90%337$108,218$234,700$151 larger · more renters
Thompson, ND 58278 88%621$111,250$313,400$209 pricier homes ($71K more)
Lohman, MO 65053 88%207$120,870$341,400$144 pricier homes ($99K more)
Sabin, MN 56580 86%553$107,813$282,200$165 pricier homes ($39K more)
Jefferson, SD 57038 86%389$106,250$332,300$185 pricier homes ($89K more)
Harwood, ND 58042 86%575$137,500$347,100$159 pricier homes ($104K more) · 8 min longer commute
Esko, MN 55733 85%446$118,260$353,400$229 pricier homes ($111K more) · larger
Dike, IA 50624 84%205$96,713$260,100$156 lower income ($31K less)
Bennet, NE 68317 84%366$108,056$294,100$166 pricier homes ($51K more) · 7 min longer commute
Pewee Valley, KY 40056 83%268$134,115$339,900$207 pricier homes ($97K more) · larger · 7 min longer commute
Cadyville, NY 12918 82%853$91,951$206,700$146 lower income ($36K less) · cheaper homes ($36K less)
Denver, IA 50622 81%204$95,089$254,100$144 lower income ($33K less) · larger
Long Grove, IA 52756 81%94$116,250$358,000$189 pricier homes ($115K more) · older residents
Amherst Junction, WI 54407 81%271$101,563$323,900$139 lower income ($27K less) · pricier homes ($81K more) · older residents
Louisville, NE 68037 81%349$107,839$245,800$167 8 min longer commute
Springfield, MA 01128 80%889$100,313$272,100$236 lower income ($28K less) · pricier homes ($29K more) · larger
Holland Patent, NY 13354 80%756$101,733$241,900$158 lower income ($26K less) · larger
Rush, NY 14543 80%633$122,654$255,900$213 larger · older residents
Brownstown, PA 17508 80%701$104,597$347,800$131 pricier homes ($105K more) · smaller
Dimondale, MI 48821 80%290$107,440$244,000$172 larger
Schoolcraft, MI 49087 80%227$106,250$305,900$181 pricier homes ($63K more) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Gilbert, IA 50105 80%237$130,083$275,400$304 pricier homes ($33K more)
Slater, IA 50244 80%233$120,313$250,800$266 5 min longer commute
Underwood, IA 51576 80%322$110,476$305,400$180 pricier homes ($63K more) · 7 min longer 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.