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 Hope, RI 02831

Hope: median income $137,181, home value $462,200, $299/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
North Dighton, MA 02764 90%22$135,640$533,800$369 pricier homes ($72K more)
West Suffield, CT 06093 88%63$122,041$393,800$254 cheaper homes ($68K less)
Mine Hill, NJ 07803 88%168$119,583$434,100$315 cheaper homes ($28K less)
Stormville, NY 12582 88%113$133,328$468,600$291 larger · newer homes
Pequea, PA 17565 88%280$125,313$340,100$247 cheaper homes ($122K less) · newer homes
Pylesville, MD 21132 88%291$132,288$485,600$230 5 min longer commute · newer homes
Palo Cedro, CA 96073 88%2,598$120,469$567,000$274 pricier homes ($105K more) · larger · newer homes
East Freetown, MA 02717 87%31$130,625$520,800$336 pricier homes ($59K more) · more renters
Branchville, NJ 07826 87%170$116,598$392,200$289 cheaper homes ($70K less) · larger
New Hampton, NY 10958 87%151$147,898$417,400$263 cheaper homes ($45K less) · newer homes
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 87%109$151,917$527,700$380 pricier homes ($66K more) · larger
West Townsend, MA 01474 86%64$136,371$460,200$277 smaller · 5 min longer commute · more renters
Leicester, MA 01524 86%38$102,099$436,200$278 lower income ($35K less) · cheaper homes ($26K less) · larger
Preston, CT 06365 86%27$117,045$361,400$274 cheaper homes ($101K less) · older residents · 6 min shorter commute
Harwinton, CT 06791 86%78$129,762$351,700$221 cheaper homes ($111K less) · larger · older residents
Monroeville, NJ 08343 86%238$141,842$344,400$221 cheaper homes ($118K less) · newer homes
Islandia, NY 11749 86%106$116,313$477,400$366 more walkable
Bayport, MN 55003 86%1,086$125,893$376,900$201 cheaper homes ($85K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Scandia, MN 55073 86%1,090$128,723$462,400$249 newer homes
Newark, IL 60541 86%875$118,100$314,300$242 cheaper homes ($148K less)
Granby, MA 01033 85%60$119,297$352,600$277 cheaper homes ($110K less) · larger · older residents
Candia, NH 03034 85%91$131,350$412,700$294 cheaper homes ($50K less) · older residents · 6 min longer commute
Brookhaven, NY 11719 85%96$126,250$658,700$410 pricier homes ($197K more)
West Falls, NY 14170 85%370$116,746$337,700$235 cheaper homes ($125K less) · smaller
Randolph, MN 55065 85%1,095$119,667$407,100$238 cheaper homes ($55K 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.