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 Carlock, IL 61725

Carlock: median income $126,083, home value $261,200, $135/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Marilla, NY 14102 93%565$119,327$259,000— Very close on everything we compare
Underwood, IA 51576 91%344$110,476$305,400$180 pricier homes ($44K more)
Sabin, MN 56580 91%567$107,813$282,200$165 Very close on everything we compare
Louisville, NE 68037 91%371$107,839$245,800$167 larger
Pedricktown, NJ 08067 90%725$111,912$325,600$154 pricier homes ($64K more)
Westpoint, IN 47992 90%109$125,526$240,900$123 newer homes
Walford, IA 52351 90%167$128,750$303,000$117 pricier homes ($42K more) · newer homes
Harwood, ND 58042 90%588$137,500$347,100$159 pricier homes ($86K more)
Bennet, NE 68317 89%388$108,056$294,100$166 pricier homes ($33K more)
Hudson, IA 50643 88%213$125,804$244,400$166 larger · 7 min shorter commute
Van Horne, IA 52346 88%184$113,342$247,100$114 older homes
Glyndon, MN 56547 88%571$102,500$304,300$162 pricier homes ($43K more) · larger
Lohman, MO 65053 88%225$120,870$341,400$144 pricier homes ($80K more) · older residents
Holland Patent, NY 13354 87%734$101,733$241,900$158 larger
York, PA 17407 87%655$122,625$306,800$168 pricier homes ($46K more) · larger · more renters
Metamora, OH 43540 87%280$119,583$259,300$167 6 min longer commute
Earlham, IA 50072 87%268$111,250$303,900$176 pricier homes ($43K more) · larger · older residents
Dike, IA 50624 87%222$96,713$260,100$156 lower income ($29K less)
Elgin, MN 55932 87%292$100,078$316,500$120 lower income ($26K less) · pricier homes ($55K more)
Yutan, NE 68073 87%383$112,460$263,400$148 larger · younger residents
Adams, NE 68301 87%390$114,408$299,500$154 pricier homes ($38K more) · 7 min longer commute
Moville, IA 51039 86%382$110,000$268,200$125 larger · more renters
Dover, MN 55929 86%281$118,977$332,300$166 pricier homes ($71K more) · newer homes
Schaghticoke, NY 12154 85%813$106,136$251,300$197 larger
Cadyville, NY 12918 85%832$91,951$206,700$146 lower income ($34K less) · cheaper homes ($55K less) · 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.