Comparing the cost of buying in two towns
Moving for a job, family or more space usually comes with one question: will my money go further there? This tool puts two towns side by side using the same measures for both, so you can see where the differences really are, not just the headline home price.
What we compare
- Typical home price: the median sale price over the last three months where we have enough sales, or the Census median home value otherwise.
- Price per square foot: the fairest way to compare prices when homes differ in size from town to town.
- Property tax rate and the monthly cost of the typical home, including principal and interest at this week’s average rate, tax, insurance and mortgage insurance under 20% down.
- Income needed for that monthly cost, using the common guideline of 28% of gross income for housing.
- Local incomes, rent, competition, commute, walkability and the natural hazards that matter most in each place.
What your home is worth there
Enter your current home’s value and we translate it to the new town using price per square foot: the same amount of house, at the other town’s prices. It’s a quick way to see whether you’d be trading up, down or across, and how much you might have left over (or need to add) after the move.
Things the numbers don’t capture
Homes differ in age, lot size and condition, and every neighborhood has its own pockets that cost more or less than the ZIP code as a whole. Salaries often differ between metro areas too, so compare your new pay with the income needed in the new town, not the old one. Use this to narrow your choices, then look at the market page for each town and talk to a local agent before you decide.
Questions buyers ask
How do you compare home prices fairly between two towns?
By price per square foot. Median prices can differ just because homes in one town are bigger; price per square foot compares the same amount of house.
Why does the income needed look high?
It keeps the full monthly cost (including taxes and insurance) at 28% of gross income, a common lender guideline. A larger down payment or a lower price lowers it.
Can I compare specific neighborhoods?
Yes. Enter ZIP codes instead of city names to compare particular parts of a city.