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.

Reset

Towns most like Merrill, OR 97633

Merrill: median income $62,019, home value $205,900, $152/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Glenns Ferry, ID 83623 93%326$58,145$217,600$146 older residents
Vernon, NY 13476 90%2,314$62,798$204,000$148 larger
Gaylord, MN 55334 89%1,383$66,149$192,800$144 larger · newer homes
Sprague, WA 99032 87%406$61,964$205,400$157 older residents
Smithton, PA 15479 86%2,162$63,852$202,700$204 larger
Canton, PA 17724 86%2,276$55,817$175,000$122 cheaper homes ($31K less) · larger
Otis, CO 80743 86%977$67,734$226,300$154 more single-family homes
Hildebran, NC 28637 85%2,184$67,500$197,900$185 larger · newer homes
Cowan, TN 37318 85%1,964$52,125$177,100$178 cheaper homes ($29K less) · larger · newer homes
New Springfield, OH 44443 85%2,104$56,957$218,900$161 newer homes
Ashley, IN 46705 85%1,869$67,266$159,700$131 cheaper homes ($46K less) · larger · newer homes
Kellogg, IA 50135 85%1,469$65,250$165,200$157 cheaper homes ($41K less) · more single-family homes
Chebanse, IL 60922 85%1,733$62,000$173,500$138 cheaper homes ($32K less) · larger · newer homes
New Ellenton, SC 29809 84%2,239$55,234$154,800$156 cheaper homes ($51K less) · larger · newer homes
Flora, IN 46929 84%1,812$56,940$186,500$129 larger
Saint Meinrad, IN 47577 84%1,845$52,208$250,800— pricier homes ($45K more)
Homer, MI 49245 84%1,871$62,206$152,500$140 cheaper homes ($53K less) · larger
North Freedom, WI 53951 84%1,605$71,970$190,400$182 larger · newer homes
Hector, MN 55342 84%1,357$64,861$169,300$153 cheaper homes ($37K less) · larger · more homeowners
Viborg, SD 57070 84%1,243$61,522$215,800$230 Very close on everything we compare
Beecher City, IL 62414 84%1,721$58,370$157,800— cheaper homes ($48K less) · newer homes
Oakfield, NY 14125 83%2,182$70,294$161,200$144 cheaper homes ($45K less) · larger
Castile, NY 14427 83%2,200$56,490$134,800$128 cheaper homes ($71K less) · older residents
Jeffersonville, OH 43128 83%1,978$50,915$173,100$146 cheaper homes ($33K less) · larger · newer homes
West Unity, OH 43570 83%1,899$68,500$129,600$137 cheaper homes ($76K less) · 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.