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 Dayton, WA 99328

Dayton: median income $72,756, home value $272,100, $147/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Loudonville, OH 44842 92%1,818$72,737$206,700$156 cheaper homes ($65K less)
Lancaster, NH 03584 91%2,223$66,768$209,500$163 cheaper homes ($63K less)
Herminie, PA 15637 90%1,950$70,461$220,600$159 cheaper homes ($52K less) · smaller · younger residents
Three Oaks, MI 49128 90%1,577$67,398$258,300$192 newer homes
Canton, SD 57013 90%1,065$76,458$226,000$131 cheaper homes ($46K less) · newer homes
Versailles, OH 45380 89%1,722$84,135$235,300$139 cheaper homes ($37K less) · newer homes
Mineral Point, WI 53565 89%1,382$84,589$269,800$183 younger residents
Clinton, WI 53525 88%1,451$79,323$248,100$189 younger residents · newer homes
Ticonderoga, NY 12883 87%2,151$65,865$178,800$152 cheaper homes ($93K less)
Ogden, IA 50212 87%1,219$81,838$221,300$150 cheaper homes ($51K less)
Preston, MN 55965 87%1,272$65,577$206,700$163 cheaper homes ($65K less) · smaller · younger residents
Helper, UT 84526 87%582$59,850$228,100$155 cheaper homes ($44K less)
Onancock, VA 23417 86%2,219$66,450$293,200$154 newer homes
Covington, OH 45318 86%1,732$73,867$199,400$153 cheaper homes ($73K less) · larger · newer homes
Pleasant Hill, OH 45359 86%1,734$77,083$208,700$140 cheaper homes ($63K less) · smaller · younger residents
Adair, IA 50002 86%1,203$79,071$237,700$139 cheaper homes ($34K less) · smaller · younger residents
Markesan, WI 53946 86%1,418$72,450$245,500$175 cheaper homes ($27K less) · 6 min longer commute · newer homes
Harmony, MN 55939 86%1,278$70,855$198,800$120 cheaper homes ($73K less) · smaller · younger residents
Ponca, NE 68770 86%1,077$71,607$199,400$143 cheaper homes ($73K less) · smaller · younger residents
Akron, CO 80720 86%853$65,913$219,100$96 cheaper homes ($53K less) · smaller
West Rutland, VT 05777 85%2,176$64,044$214,700$173 cheaper homes ($57K less)
Windham, CT 06280 85%2,267$76,577$250,500$213 5 min longer commute · newer homes
Harborcreek, PA 16421 85%1,886$64,091$224,200$184 cheaper homes ($48K less) · smaller · more renters
Millville, PA 17846 85%2,076$66,591$224,700$143 cheaper homes ($47K less) · newer homes
Shoemakersville, PA 19555 85%2,121$89,583$239,900$190 cheaper homes ($32K 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.