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 Shepherd, TX 77371

Shepherd: median income $83,594, home value $195,000, $102/sq ft, 35-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Downsville, LA 71234 89%214$84,740$155,500$117 cheaper homes ($40K less) · younger residents
Welsh, LA 70591 88%131$78,393$159,100$111 cheaper homes ($36K less)
Jemison, AL 35085 87%516$70,862$143,500$140 cheaper homes ($52K less)
Romance, AR 72136 87%368$78,328$194,300$134 smaller · newer homes
Polkton, NC 28135 86%915$66,920$208,600$112 smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Wilmer, AL 36587 86%397$72,657$161,800$139 cheaper homes ($33K less) · larger
Roseboro, NC 28382 85%1,005$68,854$158,200$118 cheaper homes ($37K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Braxton, MS 39044 84%315$74,417$163,500$131 cheaper homes ($32K less) · smaller
Imlay City, MI 48444 83%1,087$71,436$238,900$145 pricier homes ($44K more)
Mannford, OK 74044 83%394$67,841$175,300$150 Very close on everything we compare
Chester, GA 31012 82%709$70,391$145,500$141 cheaper homes ($50K less) · smaller
Rush, KY 41168 82%881$84,338$150,500$123 cheaper homes ($45K less) · smaller
Lucasville, OH 45648 82%894$72,126$174,100$139 Very close on everything we compare
Anacoco, LA 71403 82%108$67,929$158,800$130 cheaper homes ($36K less) · smaller
Kenna, WV 25248 81%944$67,652$161,200$160 cheaper homes ($34K less) · smaller
Galivants Ferry, SC 29544 81%951$78,401$210,000$173 Very close on everything we compare
Newington, GA 30446 81%808$75,521$141,000$128 cheaper homes ($54K less) · smaller
Ellabell, GA 31308 81%804$73,061$176,200$189 Very close on everything we compare
Pembroke, GA 31321 81%795$68,472$165,500$181 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Lawtey, FL 32058 81%769$65,641$190,900$162 smaller
Jena, LA 71342 81%189$72,154$120,900$108 cheaper homes ($74K less)
Pollock, LA 71467 81%169$70,583$191,400$158 more single-family homes
Lexington, OK 73051 81%340$65,872$164,700$154 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Clanton, AL 35046 80%524$79,286$170,300$167 smaller
Cleveland, AL 35049 80%548$65,644$190,600$163 smaller

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.