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 Utica, NE 68456

Utica: median income $89,550, home value $202,900, $137/sq ft, 17-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Elkton, SD 57026 96%233$80,568$213,200$130 Very close on everything we compare
Sully, IA 50251 93%238$91,061$186,200$153 Very close on everything we compare
Botkins, OH 45306 91%689$86,354$255,600$157 pricier homes ($53K more) · larger
Hancock, MN 56244 90%326$85,417$162,100$112 cheaper homes ($41K less) · larger
Pennock, MN 56279 90%311$84,000$231,700$176 pricier homes ($29K more)
Hoxie, KS 67740 90%199$75,417$186,600— Very close on everything we compare
West Bend, IA 50597 89%204$92,000$179,700— more homeowners
Northwood, ND 58267 89%473$88,015$217,800$161 more apartments and townhomes
Monroe City, IN 47557 88%553$84,375$151,600$126 cheaper homes ($51K less) · 7 min longer commute
Woodbine, IA 51579 88%102$72,500$204,400$121 larger
Calmar, IA 52132 88%320$100,559$231,600$124 pricier homes ($29K more)
Ossian, IA 52161 88%324$87,870$171,400$182 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Camp Point, IL 62320 88%334$77,143$167,400$138 cheaper homes ($36K less) · larger
Victoria, KS 67671 88%171$77,702$181,900$176 older residents
Hawarden, IA 51023 87%151$80,357$173,300$99 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
Avon, SD 57315 87%151$73,750$169,600$157 cheaper homes ($33K less)
Abernathy, TX 79311 87%548$81,985$176,800$131 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger
Clayville, NY 13322 86%1,140$91,369$204,800$141 7 min longer commute · more homeowners
Oriskany, NY 13424 86%1,136$84,844$208,200$163 larger
Sweetser, IN 46987 86%606$80,893$152,500— cheaper homes ($50K less)
Glidden, IA 51443 86%157$78,906$191,000$139 older residents
Neola, IA 51559 86%94$74,761$201,800$123 larger · 6 min longer commute · older homes
Earlville, IA 52041 86%332$89,697$188,800$115 older residents
Brewster, MN 56119 86%215$83,583$183,700$137 more apartments and townhomes
Raymond, MN 56282 86%303$69,896$201,400$110 older residents

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.