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 Sprague, WA 99032

Sprague: median income $61,964, home value $205,400, $157/sq ft, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Glenns Ferry, ID 83623 91%328$58,145$217,600$146 Very close on everything we compare
Sheffield, IA 50475 88%1,241$70,938$165,300$122 cheaper homes ($40K less)
New Washington, OH 44854 87%1,781$70,357$146,200$134 cheaper homes ($59K less) · larger
Roann, IN 46974 87%1,637$61,528$179,600$139 cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger
Clarence, IA 52216 87%1,369$67,857$191,900$102 larger
Hector, MN 55342 87%1,127$64,861$169,300$153 cheaper homes ($36K less) · larger · 5 min shorter commute
Emerson, NE 68733 87%1,095$64,479$132,600— cheaper homes ($73K less)
Fleming, CO 80728 87%880$67,863$225,000$126 Very close on everything we compare
Merrill, OR 97633 87%406$62,019$205,900$152 younger residents
Dayton, IA 50530 86%1,219$73,250$167,900— cheaper homes ($38K less)
Preston, IA 52069 86%1,395$75,313$169,500$155 cheaper homes ($36K less) · larger
Mechanicsville, IA 52306 86%1,359$61,875$167,500$140 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Monona, IA 52159 85%1,322$74,259$165,400$110 cheaper homes ($40K less) · larger
Mabel, MN 55954 85%1,291$66,250$159,600$155 cheaper homes ($46K less) · newer homes
Otis, CO 80743 85%895$67,734$226,300$154 younger residents
Riddle, OR 97469 85%400$57,444$248,500$184 pricier homes ($43K more) · larger · newer homes
Fredonia, PA 16124 84%1,890$55,455$171,500— cheaper homes ($34K less) · newer homes
Flora, IN 46929 84%1,623$56,940$186,500$129 larger
Oxford, IN 47971 84%1,588$64,375$152,600$149 cheaper homes ($53K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Woodland, MI 48897 84%1,624$69,531$224,600$204 larger · more single-family homes
Schleswig, IA 51461 84%1,158$73,768$183,100— Very close on everything we compare
Le Roy, MN 55951 84%1,257$61,131$168,800$115 cheaper homes ($37K less) · 7 min longer commute
Appleton, NY 14008 83%1,911$77,702$188,700$184 Very close on everything we compare
Risingsun, OH 43457 83%1,744$54,583$153,800— cheaper homes ($52K less) · more single-family homes
Brewster, OH 44613 83%1,847$58,125$147,200$113 cheaper homes ($58K 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.