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 Basile, LA 70515

Basile: median income $65,991, home value $137,200, $30/sq ft, 41-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Falkner, MS 38629 82%367$69,135$122,700— smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Middletown, MO 63359 82%599$75,227$160,200— smaller · 7 min shorter commute
Millport, AL 35576 81%331$72,292$120,800— older residents · 7 min shorter commute
Freeport, OH 43973 81%923$72,600$158,100$31 smaller · 7 min shorter commute · more apartments and townhomes
Peytona, WV 25154 80%813$67,243$106,900— cheaper homes ($30K less) · smaller
Plymouth, IL 62367 79%685$58,000$126,700— smaller · older residents · more apartments and townhomes
Lovely, KY 41231 78%770$60,875$136,400— smaller · more apartments and townhomes · newer homes
Cincinnatus, NY 13040 76%1,240$70,167$139,200$32 smaller · older residents · 9 min shorter commute
Centerville, PA 16404 76%1,052$65,972$156,200— older residents · 10 min shorter commute
Patriot, OH 45658 76%811$64,162$116,600— smaller · older residents · 8 min longer commute
Saxe, VA 23967 75%914$73,264$117,500— smaller · more apartments and townhomes · newer homes
Victor, WV 25938 75%843$59,833$99,300— cheaper homes ($38K less) · smaller · older residents
South Webster, OH 45682 75%802$56,250$187,700— pricier homes ($51K more) · smaller · older residents
Nortonville, KS 66060 75%635$77,222$155,800— smaller · 6 min shorter commute · older homes
Smithville, AR 72466 75%394$79,808$165,100$43 pricier homes ($28K more) · smaller · newer homes
Ballard, WV 24918 74%831$63,594$140,800— smaller · younger residents · 8 min shorter commute
Honoraville, AL 36042 74%377$61,120$111,000— cheaper homes ($26K less) · smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Varysburg, NY 14167 73%1,155$67,132$150,000— smaller · older residents
French Creek, WV 26218 72%909$58,646$143,900— older residents · 8 min shorter commute · more apartments and townhomes
Mc Kenzie, AL 36456 72%353$66,150$109,200— cheaper homes ($28K less) · smaller · more renters
Preston, MS 39354 72%275$66,758$107,300— cheaper homes ($30K less) · smaller · older residents
Stringer, MS 39481 72%217$61,458$166,300— pricier homes ($29K more) · smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Thoreau, NM 87323 72%964$51,616$138,200$32 older residents · more apartments and townhomes · newer homes
Alexandria, PA 16611 71%1,068$70,887$167,500— pricier homes ($30K more) · older residents · 8 min shorter commute
Cisne, IL 62823 71%602$59,310$119,100— smaller · 12 min shorter 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.