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 Fithian, IL 61844

Fithian: median income $105,179, home value $153,400, $139/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Kenesaw, NE 68956 92%568$94,231$203,700$123 pricier homes ($50K more)
Kent, NY 14477 91%549$96,607$172,200$196 larger
Bird Island, MN 55310 90%479$87,292$160,500$113 Very close on everything we compare
Nashua, MT 59248 90%1,067$89,821$216,000— pricier homes ($63K more)
Jewell, IA 50130 88%336$78,594$169,000$125 lower income ($27K less)
Darien Center, NY 14040 87%527$88,779$210,100$141 pricier homes ($57K more) · larger
Sharpsville, IN 46068 87%95$98,708$189,700$154 pricier homes ($36K more) · larger
Fairbank, IA 50629 87%276$103,106$207,100$126 pricier homes ($54K more) · larger
Merrill, IA 51038 87%468$95,893$183,100$132 pricier homes ($30K more) · younger residents
Eland, WI 54427 87%333$83,958$189,800$134 pricier homes ($36K more) · newer homes
Sutton, NE 68979 87%526$85,862$157,900$169 larger
Hookstown, PA 15050 86%393$91,406$209,800$134 pricier homes ($56K more) · larger · 6 min longer commute
West Mansfield, OH 43358 86%230$89,121$218,600$133 pricier homes ($65K more) · larger
New Riegel, OH 44853 86%248$90,281$156,100— younger residents
Stilesville, IN 46180 86%75$90,208$228,600$168 pricier homes ($75K more)
Swayzee, IN 46986 86%112$79,438$162,600$112 lower income ($26K less) · larger
Gilman, IA 50106 86%285$101,193$118,900$138 cheaper homes ($35K less) · younger residents
Danville, IA 52623 86%187$90,714$194,000$111 pricier homes ($41K more) · larger · younger residents
Tyler, MN 56178 86%510$87,031$165,400$125 larger · younger residents
Alexandria, SD 57311 86%564$103,839$186,800$188 pricier homes ($33K more) · younger residents
Hemlock, NY 14466 85%564$108,085$213,500$164 pricier homes ($60K more) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Mulberry, IN 46058 85%66$77,719$159,700$138 lower income ($27K less) · larger
Nora Springs, IA 50458 85%337$99,643$157,500$89 larger
New Hartford, IA 50660 85%299$95,969$190,900$98 pricier homes ($38K more)
Coggon, IA 52218 85%242$82,344$180,700$121 pricier homes ($27K 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.