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 Franconia, NH 03580

Franconia: median income $91,250, home value $497,100, $243/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Conway, MA 01341 91%126$97,417$396,400$257 cheaper homes ($101K less)
White Stone, VA 22578 89%510$80,783$441,600$252 cheaper homes ($56K less) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Londonderry, VT 05148 87%85$105,795$385,300$220 cheaper homes ($112K less) · 6 min longer commute
Lincolnville, ME 04849 85%132$80,377$360,600$329 cheaper homes ($137K less) · larger
South Hero, VT 05486 84%83$126,513$544,700$237 higher income ($35K more) · pricier homes ($48K more)
Moretown, VT 05660 84%50$96,125$425,200$274 cheaper homes ($72K less) · younger residents · 8 min longer commute
East Berlin, CT 06023 84%186$100,317$342,600$242 cheaper homes ($155K less)
Newcastle, ME 04553 83%111$89,868$398,000$321 cheaper homes ($99K less) · younger residents
Townshend, VT 05353 83%91$94,917$278,000$220 cheaper homes ($219K less)
East Chatham, NY 12060 83%150$101,548$399,400$231 cheaper homes ($98K less) · 5 min longer commute · older homes
Pentwater, MI 49449 83%727$80,917$307,300$278 cheaper homes ($190K less) · larger
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 83%689$85,787$669,800$386 pricier homes ($173K more)
Arnold, CA 95223 83%2,516$106,694$476,000$289 larger · older residents
Wayne, ME 04284 82%84$93,194$362,800$269 cheaper homes ($134K less) · 10 min longer commute
Chestertown, NY 12817 82%109$93,393$327,600$316 cheaper homes ($170K less) · larger
Lakeland, MN 55043 82%1,033$102,966$383,500$227 cheaper homes ($114K less) · larger
Rocheport, MO 65279 82%1,128$103,516$332,700$211 cheaper homes ($164K less)
Angel Fire, NM 87710 82%1,831$83,125$569,200$280 pricier homes ($72K more) · older residents · more renters
Leverett, MA 01054 81%126$104,688$435,500$316 cheaper homes ($62K less) · 6 min longer commute
Bristol, ME 04539 81%113$96,111$346,900$294 cheaper homes ($150K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Sedgwick, ME 04676 81%154$73,333$336,500$235 cheaper homes ($161K less)
Hinesburg, VT 05461 81%67$109,712$460,200$315 cheaper homes ($37K less) · larger · younger residents
Rock Hill, NY 12775 81%229$112,600$398,400$228 cheaper homes ($99K less) · larger · younger residents
Afton, VA 22920 81%567$88,028$410,000$311 cheaper homes ($87K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Nags Head, NC 27959 81%610$91,264$490,800$424 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.