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 Marlborough, MA 01752

Marlborough: median income $91,968, home value $513,100, $303/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Sayreville, NJ 08872 93%195$97,489$447,200$362 cheaper homes ($66K less) · smaller
Parlin, NJ 08859 91%194$99,882$445,800$372 cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller
Budd Lake, NJ 07828 90%194$103,320$457,700$325 cheaper homes ($55K less) · smaller
Boca Raton, FL 33428 90%1,210$88,543$466,900$312 cheaper homes ($46K less) · newer homes
Alexandria, VA 22309 89%385$107,376$567,200$327 pricier homes ($54K more)
Denver, CO 80227 89%1,747$90,316$559,200$266 pricier homes ($46K more)
Newhall, CA 91321 89%2,570$91,092$691,600$413 pricier homes ($179K more)
Seattle, WA 98198 89%2,466$86,239$589,500$361 pricier homes ($76K more) · more walkable
North Brunswick, NJ 08902 88%201$121,071$433,800$319 higher income ($29K more) · cheaper homes ($79K less)
Hatfield, PA 19440 88%242$99,408$438,500$258 cheaper homes ($75K less) · smaller
Horsham, PA 19044 87%240$88,173$402,400$297 cheaper homes ($111K less) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Denver, CO 80234 87%1,739$92,563$530,300$237 newer homes
University Place, WA 98467 87%2,480$91,354$623,800$326 pricier homes ($111K more) · smaller
Lakewood, WA 98498 87%2,480$91,664$506,300$324 more single-family homes
Dover, NH 03820 86%67$94,897$436,100$328 cheaper homes ($77K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Beltsville, MD 20705 86%363$110,351$446,700$237 cheaper homes ($66K less)
Virginia Beach, VA 23455 86%450$94,069$418,000$247 cheaper homes ($95K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Orlando, FL 32819 86%1,109$98,109$489,700$278 6 min shorter commute · newer homes
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 86%2,589$89,484$491,100$319 more walkable
Sacramento, CA 95826 86%2,595$82,127$463,300$320 cheaper homes ($50K less) · more walkable
Renton, WA 98055 86%2,460$97,224$602,800$326 pricier homes ($90K more) · smaller · newer homes
Tacoma, WA 98466 86%2,478$101,778$602,400$351 pricier homes ($89K more) · more walkable
Manchester, NH 03104 85%46$88,897$392,200$280 cheaper homes ($121K less) · 6 min shorter commute · older homes
Norwalk, CT 06854 85%130$86,679$460,500$436 cheaper homes ($53K less)
Avenel, NJ 07001 85%187$101,670$401,000$429 cheaper homes ($112K less) · smaller

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.