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 Parsonsfield, ME 04047

Parsonsfield: median income $72,045, home value $272,100, $296/sq ft, 48-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Grafton, NH 03240 88%54$81,563$267,300$223 5 min shorter commute
Boyers, PA 16020 88%493$74,135$207,000— cheaper homes ($65K less)
Brogue, PA 17309 88%392$84,917$262,500$233 Very close on everything we compare
Mokane, MO 65059 88%1,141$76,765$246,200— cheaper homes ($26K less) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Machipongo, VA 23405 84%511$59,663$341,800$241 pricier homes ($70K more)
Freeman, MO 64746 83%1,272$79,682$275,000$203 7 min shorter commute
Campo, CA 91906 83%2,555$62,500$327,600$294 pricier homes ($56K more) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Otisville, NY 10963 82%241$82,989$346,800$283 pricier homes ($75K more) · larger · more renters
Hague, VA 22469 82%494$58,500$325,900$198 pricier homes ($54K more) · older residents
Capon Bridge, WV 26711 82%498$71,212$243,500$218 cheaper homes ($29K less) · larger · newer homes
Meansville, GA 30256 82%1,035$73,571$299,000$200 pricier homes ($27K more) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Hillman, MN 56338 82%1,132$70,938$289,600$295 older residents · 7 min shorter commute
Polo, MO 64671 82%1,226$75,455$173,200$249 cheaper homes ($99K less) · 7 min shorter commute
Cat Spring, TX 78933 82%1,699$68,444$272,600$293 older residents · 6 min shorter commute · newer homes
Coulterville, CA 95311 82%2,572$56,029$316,000$251 pricier homes ($44K more)
Hillsboro, WV 24946 81%624$60,625$227,000— cheaper homes ($45K less) · smaller · 7 min shorter commute
Knotts Island, NC 27950 81%566$88,250$290,300$255 younger residents · newer homes
Readyville, TN 37149 81%980$78,345$402,900$268 pricier homes ($131K more) · larger · newer homes
Morgantown, IN 46160 81%849$76,445$241,700$187 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
De Beque, CO 81630 81%1,938$64,875$269,400$234 smaller · 6 min shorter commute · more apartments and townhomes
Montross, VA 22520 80%495$71,487$286,400$230 larger · older residents · newer homes
Boston, VA 22713 80%520$90,795$377,200$249 pricier homes ($105K more) · newer homes
Surry, VA 23883 80%551$76,719$239,400$206 cheaper homes ($33K less) · older residents · 6 min shorter commute
Salvisa, KY 40372 80%831$74,205$229,800$189 cheaper homes ($42K less) · newer homes
Rockbridge, OH 43149 80%667$57,500$257,600$342 older residents · 8 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.