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 Pownal, ME 04069

Pownal: median income $104,333, home value $436,800, $355/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Olivebridge, NY 12461 96%249$112,273$431,400$319 Very close on everything we compare
North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 94%152$99,919$435,100$306 Very close on everything we compare
New Preston Marble Dale, CT 06777 94%219$94,643$455,700$390 Very close on everything we compare
Williamsburg, MA 01096 92%166$104,375$374,900$248 cheaper homes ($62K less) · larger
Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754 92%215$121,591$462,300$353 pricier homes ($26K more)
Grand Isle, VT 05458 90%164$101,728$403,200$297 cheaper homes ($34K less) · newer homes
Bradford, NH 03221 89%99$109,803$325,400$337 cheaper homes ($111K less)
Dublin, NH 03444 89%116$104,773$429,600$219 Very close on everything we compare
Moretown, VT 05660 89%129$96,125$425,200$274 Very close on everything we compare
Morris, CT 06763 89%214$109,853$394,200$257 cheaper homes ($43K less) · older residents
Ghent, NY 12075 89%206$98,047$422,900$253 larger
Old Forge, NY 13420 89%234$109,351$355,200$470 cheaper homes ($82K less) · smaller
North Hero, VT 05474 88%166$102,143$451,400$404 older residents
Rock Hill, NY 12775 88%273$112,600$398,400$228 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger
Lake Park, MN 56554 88%1,266$94,792$376,400$307 cheaper homes ($60K less) · larger · newer homes
Haydenville, MA 01039 87%164$116,429$423,100$403 older residents
Hancock, NH 03449 87%110$92,708$432,200$234 older residents
Westford, VT 05494 87%148$117,143$412,900$238 Very close on everything we compare
Cuttingsville, VT 05738 87%136$95,000$331,900— cheaper homes ($105K less)
Mine Hill, NJ 07803 87%306$119,583$434,100$315 larger · younger residents
West Hurley, NY 12491 87%237$100,257$381,800$268 cheaper homes ($55K less) · younger residents
Laporte, CO 80535 87%1,788$110,945$483,300$309 pricier homes ($47K more) · older residents
Sanbornton, NH 03269 86%74$107,083$450,000$319 larger · younger residents · newer homes
Huntington, VT 05462 86%142$94,334$334,300$356 cheaper homes ($103K less)
New Hartford, CT 06057 86%201$117,906$380,200$284 cheaper homes ($57K 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.