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 Patoka, IL 62875

Patoka: median income $73,333, home value $116,400, $108/sq ft, 29-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Ellenburg Center, NY 12934 93%888$77,734$115,100$103 Very close on everything we compare
Dilliner, PA 15327 93%492$70,296$118,100— Very close on everything we compare
Weedville, PA 15868 93%587$70,395$112,200— Very close on everything we compare
Medora, IN 47260 93%156$73,370$96,500$102 larger
Lindley, NY 14858 92%668$81,750$145,200— pricier homes ($29K more)
Wheeler, MI 48662 92%402$70,321$131,100$101 Very close on everything we compare
Berkshire, NY 13736 91%720$65,880$140,700$124 larger
Erin, NY 14838 91%693$73,884$137,500$145 larger
Clay, KY 42404 91%112$61,293$115,300$104 larger
West College Corner, IN 47003 91%236$80,179$155,100$121 pricier homes ($39K more)
Riverdale, MI 48877 91%390$64,653$112,300$113 larger · newer homes
Wellsville, MO 63384 91%135$78,281$128,600$79 larger
Saint Regis Falls, NY 12980 90%854$60,938$106,500$110 Very close on everything we compare
Richland, NY 13144 90%757$64,073$106,700$165 Very close on everything we compare
Edwards, NY 13635 90%811$71,316$104,400— younger residents
Newcastle, TX 76372 90%662$69,167$106,600$133 more renters
Harrisville, NY 13648 89%803$60,735$118,200$126 larger
Cohocton, NY 14826 89%660$69,464$132,300$136 larger
Townville, PA 16360 89%526$71,528$161,500$96 pricier homes ($45K more)
Walker, WV 26180 89%415$70,625$116,900$149 larger
Daviston, AL 36256 89%437$64,167$151,800$136 pricier homes ($35K more)
Newville, AL 36353 89%548$66,318$121,300$77 larger
Ethel, MS 39067 89%390$67,250$98,200— younger residents
Fredonia, KY 42411 89%122$61,063$97,100$114 larger
Bradner, OH 43406 89%348$71,597$161,200$129 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.