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 Tyngsboro, MA 01879

Tyngsboro: median income $129,348, home value $552,500, $331/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Londonderry, NH 03053 92%13$134,038$507,600$308 cheaper homes ($45K less) · larger
Merrimack, NH 03054 92%14$127,303$458,700$264 cheaper homes ($94K less) · larger
Cranston, RI 02921 91%63$147,204$535,800$293 Very close on everything we compare
Arnold, MD 21012 91%365$139,432$563,800$270 larger
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328 91%1,252$126,380$578,300$357 pricier homes ($26K more) · larger
Exeter, RI 02822 90%77$112,813$520,100$345 cheaper homes ($32K less) · smaller
Littleton, CO 80128 90%1,753$121,436$586,000$269 pricier homes ($34K more) · larger
Gorham, ME 04038 89%85$112,312$460,900$301 cheaper homes ($92K less)
Milford, CT 06461 89%131$133,221$424,700$299 cheaper homes ($128K less) · older homes
Chalfont, PA 18914 89%256$148,824$491,300$272 cheaper homes ($61K less) · larger
Millersville, MD 21108 89%367$151,324$555,000$241 Very close on everything we compare
Sussex, WI 53089 89%850$120,875$418,900$248 cheaper homes ($134K less) · larger
Center Valley, PA 18034 88%254$153,200$475,900$235 cheaper homes ($77K less)
Brookfield, CT 06804 87%132$148,945$480,200$283 cheaper homes ($72K less)
Schwenksville, PA 19473 87%268$138,819$476,300$248 cheaper homes ($76K less) · 7 min longer commute
Annapolis, MD 21409 87%363$147,151$535,500$286 larger · 6 min longer commute
Hartland, WI 53029 87%856$108,152$478,700$250 cheaper homes ($74K less) · larger
Cottage Grove, WI 53527 87%899$133,883$444,700$238 cheaper homes ($108K less) · newer homes
Oregon, WI 53575 87%909$107,885$432,800$230 cheaper homes ($120K less)
Saint Paul, MN 55127 87%1,089$117,917$433,200$223 cheaper homes ($119K less)
Eagle River, AK 99577 87%3,326$136,900$437,000$262 cheaper homes ($116K less) · larger · younger residents
Pelham, NH 03076 86%7$135,956$552,600$312 5 min longer commute · more single-family homes
Hooksett, NH 03106 86%27$118,442$408,400$273 cheaper homes ($144K less)
Lee, NH 03861 86%37$131,579$480,600$281 cheaper homes ($72K less) · smaller
Windham, ME 04062 86%93$107,934$388,900$317 cheaper homes ($164K 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.