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 Lakehead, CA 96051

Lakehead: median income $69,688, home value $360,000, $170/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Cuddebackville, NY 12729 95%2,454$66,982$330,100$175 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Cushing, MN 56443 94%1,431$71,310$341,200$201 Very close on everything we compare
Warriors Mark, PA 16877 93%2,292$68,500$307,700— cheaper homes ($52K less)
Cobbs Creek, VA 23035 93%2,447$68,438$441,000$198 pricier homes ($81K more)
Urbanna, VA 23175 91%2,433$66,858$369,000$215 larger
Jefferson, NH 03583 90%2,559$67,188$296,700$196 cheaper homes ($63K less) · newer homes
Alstead, NH 03602 90%2,537$70,455$279,400$216 cheaper homes ($81K less) · larger
Chelsea, VT 05038 90%2,515$62,000$254,800$154 cheaper homes ($105K less)
Apple River, IL 61001 90%1,659$77,841$300,300$182 cheaper homes ($60K less)
Austin, CO 81410 90%779$67,826$366,700$213 6 min shorter commute
Danby, VT 05739 89%2,500$75,000$296,500$206 cheaper homes ($64K less)
Easton, KS 66020 88%1,441$78,594$320,100— cheaper homes ($40K less) · larger
Danville, VT 05828 87%2,526$72,121$279,100$208 cheaper homes ($81K less) · larger
Andes, NY 13731 87%2,432$73,750$291,300$214 cheaper homes ($69K less) · younger residents
Carrsville, VA 23315 87%2,442$71,523$254,900$197 cheaper homes ($105K less) · younger residents
Osage, MN 56570 87%1,407$61,042$315,700$143 cheaper homes ($44K less)
Bigfork, MN 56628 87%1,487$61,250$244,700$189 cheaper homes ($115K less) · larger
Bonnots Mill, MO 65016 87%1,620$78,750$269,400— cheaper homes ($91K less) · younger residents
Earlton, NY 12058 86%2,472$85,469$273,500— cheaper homes ($87K less) · younger residents
Union Dale, PA 18470 86%2,402$73,654$227,600$164 cheaper homes ($132K less) · larger
Franklin, WV 26807 86%2,269$66,750$255,000$191 cheaper homes ($105K less) · larger · younger residents
Dellroy, OH 44620 86%2,137$76,827$235,200$184 cheaper homes ($125K less)
Pepin, WI 54759 86%1,548$80,750$225,400$194 cheaper homes ($135K less)
Dent, MN 56528 86%1,379$79,500$319,300$248 cheaper homes ($41K less) · larger · newer homes
Roach, MO 65787 86%1,577$62,917$314,500$254 cheaper homes ($46K less)

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.