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 Fairfield, WA 99012

Fairfield: median income $88,571, home value $333,700, $100/sq ft, 36-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
New Virginia, IA 50210 86%1,233$87,813$324,600$108 newer homes
Plain, WI 53577 84%1,341$96,500$271,100$154 cheaper homes ($63K less) · 6 min shorter commute
West Concord, MN 55985 83%1,188$83,636$245,200$141 cheaper homes ($89K less) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Henderson, MN 56044 82%1,130$101,250$333,600$143 larger · newer homes
Poland, NY 13431 81%2,042$76,000$245,100$150 cheaper homes ($89K less) · larger
Holy Cross, IA 52053 81%1,317$83,000$251,900$116 cheaper homes ($82K less) · older residents
Clifton, IL 60927 81%1,508$102,143$213,700$144 cheaper homes ($120K less) · larger
Fredericktown, PA 15333 80%1,907$89,333$185,600$112 cheaper homes ($148K less) · larger
Loganville, WI 53943 80%1,339$73,000$225,600— cheaper homes ($108K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Belfield, ND 58622 80%662$82,692$239,000$140 cheaper homes ($95K less) · 6 min shorter commute · newer homes
Mokane, MO 65059 80%1,404$76,765$246,200— cheaper homes ($88K less) · older residents · 6 min longer commute
Friend, NE 68359 80%1,090$90,909$179,900$109 cheaper homes ($154K less)
Jerusalem, OH 43747 79%1,861$77,115$218,800$87 cheaper homes ($115K less) · newer homes
Dubois, IN 47527 79%1,644$91,169$273,700$92 cheaper homes ($60K less) · larger · newer homes
Elmwood, NE 68349 79%1,127$76,369$218,200$122 cheaper homes ($116K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Downey, ID 83234 79%424$81,083$229,300$178 cheaper homes ($104K less)
Avella, PA 15312 78%1,877$73,542$215,300$137 cheaper homes ($118K less) · larger · older residents
Wanatah, IN 46390 78%1,542$87,639$228,000$130 cheaper homes ($106K less) · larger · newer homes
Maxwell, IA 50161 78%1,224$98,519$256,500$135 cheaper homes ($77K less) · larger · newer homes
Boyd, WI 54726 78%1,257$78,500$192,100$114 cheaper homes ($142K less) · larger
Powers Lake, ND 58773 78%675$103,750$262,500— cheaper homes ($71K less) · 9 min shorter commute
Vega, TX 79092 78%1,134$83,068$176,700$136 cheaper homes ($157K less)
Sprakers, NY 12166 77%2,080$94,821$219,400$142 cheaper homes ($114K less) · 6 min shorter commute · more homeowners
Loysville, PA 17047 77%2,016$87,578$302,900$130 cheaper homes ($31K less) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Orlinda, TN 37141 77%1,719$76,250$237,000$117 cheaper homes ($97K less) · newer homes

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.