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 Lee, MA 01238

Lee: median income $84,591, home value $355,700, $297/sq ft, 19-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Westbrook, CT 06498 89%80$91,202$434,300$328 pricier homes ($79K more)
South Royalton, VT 05068 86%110$80,911$298,600$226 cheaper homes ($57K less) · smaller
Niantic, CT 06357 86%85$93,026$397,300$301 pricier homes ($42K more) · larger · 7 min longer commute
Cooperstown, NY 13326 86%91$80,040$340,100$240 less walkable
Manchester Center, VT 05255 83%61$91,058$445,500$270 pricier homes ($90K more) · newer homes
Pawcatuck, CT 06379 83%96$95,066$406,100$286 pricier homes ($50K more) · larger · younger residents
Lewiston, NY 14092 83%300$72,218$279,900$199 cheaper homes ($76K less) · larger · newer homes
Randolph, VT 05060 82%117$77,317$255,500$200 cheaper homes ($100K less)
Vergennes, VT 05491 82%127$87,917$337,400$286 younger residents · newer homes
Deep River, CT 06417 82%75$90,253$362,200$286 younger residents · 5 min longer commute · newer homes
Yellow Springs, OH 45387 82%581$96,042$332,900$238 Very close on everything we compare
Greenville, RI 02828 81%91$97,196$440,900$291 pricier homes ($85K more) · 6 min longer commute · more homeowners
Belfast, ME 04915 81%258$66,362$308,700$271 cheaper homes ($47K less) · larger · newer homes
Lake George, NY 12845 81%81$100,774$355,900$325 newer homes
Clear Lake, IA 50428 81%1,022$81,037$283,400$232 cheaper homes ($72K less) · larger · newer homes
Bethlehem, NH 03574 80%158$81,250$288,300$191 cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller · newer homes
Bath, ME 04530 80%205$79,649$336,800$302 larger · younger residents · older homes
Chatham, NY 12037 80%18$89,844$343,900$263 smaller · 6 min longer commute · less walkable
Westerly, RI 02891 79%97$97,110$470,000$369 pricier homes ($114K more) · larger · newer homes
Meredith, NH 03253 79%127$84,719$482,700$354 pricier homes ($127K more) · 8 min longer commute · newer homes
Elk Rapids, MI 49629 79%634$65,302$394,600$333 pricier homes ($39K more) · smaller · less walkable
East Aurora, NY 14052 78%275$99,970$343,700$258 larger · 6 min longer commute · more homeowners
Sarasota, FL 34239 78%1,160$80,923$475,700$371 pricier homes ($120K more) · larger · more walkable
Frankenmuth, MI 48734 78%537$91,032$305,100$174 cheaper homes ($51K less) · newer homes
Red Lodge, MT 59068 78%1,795$80,962$438,700$366 pricier homes ($83K more) · older residents · 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.