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 Rye, NH 03870

Rye: median income $140,938, home value $990,700, $601/sq ft, 29-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Carmel Valley, CA 93924 94%2,703$148,563$1,222,600$762 pricier homes ($232K more)
Cutchogue, NY 11935 91%164$143,750$915,900$684 cheaper homes ($75K less) · smaller
Southold, NY 11971 89%160$129,507$843,300$587 cheaper homes ($147K less) · younger residents
Mattapoisett, MA 02739 87%93$130,241$681,600$430 cheaper homes ($309K less)
Westhampton, NY 11977 87%180$151,375$1,077,200$568 pricier homes ($87K more) · smaller · older residents
Wellfleet, MA 02667 86%84$121,110$855,500$627 cheaper homes ($135K less) · 6 min longer commute
Vashon, WA 98070 86%2,488$120,571$790,700$530 cheaper homes ($200K less) · larger
Fall City, WA 98024 85%2,460$160,641$1,107,100$473 pricier homes ($116K more) · more walkable
Jamestown, RI 02835 84%108$140,625$842,400$616 cheaper homes ($148K less) · more walkable
Middleburg, VA 20117 84%458$146,120$937,100$395 cheaper homes ($54K less) · smaller · more renters
Little Compton, RI 02837 83%105$134,750$783,400$480 cheaper homes ($207K less) · older residents
Oceanport, NJ 07757 83%251$126,094$757,700$524 cheaper homes ($233K less) · more walkable
Penryn, CA 95663 83%2,608$155,917$960,800$540 cheaper homes ($30K less) · smaller
Sandwich, MA 02563 81%91$121,455$617,800$441 cheaper homes ($373K less) · larger
Watchung, NJ 07069 81%251$171,705$883,300$405 higher income ($31K more) · cheaper homes ($107K less) · younger residents
Lyons, CO 80540 81%1,783$139,521$795,500$371 cheaper homes ($195K less) · younger residents
Felton, CA 95018 81%2,702$129,464$838,600$661 cheaper homes ($152K less) · younger residents · older homes
Rowley, MA 01969 80%22$132,734$667,300$375 cheaper homes ($323K less)
East Sandwich, MA 02537 79%90$136,506$639,500$405 cheaper homes ($351K less) · younger residents
Charlotte, VT 05445 79%152$144,375$695,300$377 cheaper homes ($295K less)
Sag Harbor, NY 11963 79%161$127,746$1,208,000$1,004 pricier homes ($217K more) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 79%179$125,179$1,054,000$822 pricier homes ($63K more) · younger residents · newer homes
Byfield, MA 01922 78%19$142,207$804,900$375 cheaper homes ($186K less) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Barnstable, MA 02630 78%94$116,895$721,500$549 cheaper homes ($269K less) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Osterville, MA 02655 78%97$118,750$806,300$571 cheaper homes ($184K less) · 9 min shorter commute

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.