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 Lancaster, NH 03584

Lancaster: median income $66,768, home value $209,500, $163/sq ft, 22-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Ticonderoga, NY 12883 93%103$65,865$178,800$152 cheaper homes ($31K less)
Herminie, PA 15637 93%509$70,461$220,600$159 smaller
Wyoming, PA 18644 93%309$70,026$179,200$159 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
Loudonville, OH 44842 93%604$72,737$206,700$156 larger
Preston, MN 55965 93%1,018$65,577$206,700$163 smaller
Mayville, NY 14757 92%428$67,115$186,700$215 Very close on everything we compare
Pomeroy, WA 99347 92%2,203$64,699$243,400$147 pricier homes ($34K more)
West Rutland, VT 05777 91%97$64,044$214,700$173 Very close on everything we compare
Homer, NY 13077 91%264$72,266$171,200$156 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger
Lakewood, NY 14750 91%424$66,622$167,500$166 cheaper homes ($42K less)
Olyphant, PA 18447 91%292$66,677$207,900$150 larger
Old Forge, PA 18518 91%302$71,812$174,400$148 cheaper homes ($35K less) · larger
Dayton, WA 99328 91%2,223$72,756$272,100$147 pricier homes ($63K more)
Watkins Glen, NY 14891 90%305$61,875$164,700$184 cheaper homes ($45K less)
Peckville, PA 18452 90%291$56,438$203,100$175 Very close on everything we compare
New Holstein, WI 53061 90%818$65,898$194,100$157 6 min longer commute · newer homes
Mohawk, NY 13407 89%200$69,846$149,100$124 cheaper homes ($60K less)
Clifton Springs, NY 14432 89%298$78,017$166,700$153 cheaper homes ($43K less) · larger
Williamsport, PA 17702 89%360$70,210$196,900$146 larger
Hughesville, PA 17737 89%344$70,131$203,800$138 larger · newer homes
Northumberland, PA 17857 89%363$67,298$202,200$126 larger · newer homes
Jessup, PA 18434 89%291$62,922$164,000$158 cheaper homes ($46K less) · 6 min longer commute
Jefferson, IA 50129 89%1,158$60,671$166,100$117 cheaper homes ($43K less)
Vernon, NY 13476 88%222$62,798$204,000$148 younger residents
Palmyra, NY 14522 88%299$75,116$159,500$165 cheaper homes ($50K 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.