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.

Reset

Towns most like Spofford, NH 03462

Spofford: median income $115,313, home value $396,200, $210/sq ft, 16-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
East Montpelier, VT 05651 88%95$103,393$393,500$201 younger residents
Saratoga, WY 82331 88%1,748$95,610$363,800$206 cheaper homes ($32K less) · more homeowners
Sheffield, MA 01257 87%74$102,788$441,000$299 pricier homes ($45K more)
Boiling Springs, PA 17007 86%310$117,130$385,600$185 larger · younger residents
Newcastle, ME 04553 85%164$89,868$398,000$321 lower income ($25K less)
Manchester, ME 04351 84%162$92,031$299,600$210 cheaper homes ($97K less)
Fogelsville, PA 18051 84%232$139,506$459,600$213 pricier homes ($63K more) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Wales, WI 53183 84%806$108,827$398,700$207 larger · younger residents · 7 min longer commute
Point Arena, CA 95468 84%2,646$115,955$489,900— pricier homes ($94K more) · younger residents
East Berlin, CT 06023 83%91$100,317$342,600$242 cheaper homes ($54K less)
Oldenburg, IN 47036 83%710$98,300$413,700— Very close on everything we compare
Palmer Lake, CO 80133 82%1,704$120,625$482,500$254 pricier homes ($86K more) · 5 min longer commute · more homeowners
Gilbert, IA 50105 81%1,080$130,083$275,400$304 cheaper homes ($121K less) · more homeowners
Malcolm, NE 68402 81%1,260$123,000$449,000$241 pricier homes ($53K more) · younger residents · 7 min longer commute
Hinesburg, VT 05461 80%104$109,712$460,200$315 pricier homes ($64K more) · larger
New Haven, VT 05472 80%91$92,537$378,000$217 6 min longer commute
Pomfret Center, CT 06259 80%75$108,476$401,700$267 larger · 10 min longer commute
Horse Shoe, NC 28742 80%753$99,007$414,600$237 larger · 10 min longer commute
Pacific Junction, IA 51561 80%1,205$113,421$388,800$139 smaller · more homeowners
Long Grove, IA 52756 80%929$116,250$358,000$189 cheaper homes ($38K less) · 7 min longer commute · more homeowners
Orrington, ME 04474 79%220$94,556$309,000$192 cheaper homes ($87K less) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Nobleboro, ME 04555 79%168$100,417$352,600$348 cheaper homes ($44K less)
South Hero, VT 05486 79%128$126,513$544,700$237 pricier homes ($149K more) · 8 min longer commute
West Sand Lake, NY 12196 79%64$110,889$317,300$241 cheaper homes ($79K less) · larger
Jamesville, NY 13078 79%185$119,191$313,000$221 cheaper homes ($83K 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.