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 Randolph, ME 04346

Randolph: median income $66,574, home value $174,300, $199/sq ft, 23-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Luna Pier, MI 48157 92%710$61,641$188,800$193 Very close on everything we compare
Wampum, PA 16157 91%586$60,345$158,800$215 larger
Munnsville, NY 13409 89%305$72,333$137,300— cheaper homes ($37K less)
Mishicot, WI 54228 89%884$71,842$184,800$176 larger
Valier, MT 59486 89%2,025$56,875$182,900$216 Very close on everything we compare
Warrensburg, NY 12885 88%208$59,429$169,800$169 larger
Creekside, PA 15732 88%539$62,000$200,200— pricier homes ($26K more)
Enon Valley, PA 16120 88%592$65,750$164,900$160 6 min longer commute
West Springfield, PA 16443 88%563$70,344$163,400$189 more single-family homes
Dayton, IA 50530 88%1,227$73,250$167,900— younger residents
Alma, WI 54610 88%1,087$61,563$207,000$194 pricier homes ($33K more)
Mayfield, NY 12117 87%237$66,000$208,500$158 pricier homes ($34K more) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Croghan, NY 13327 87%279$66,875$181,300$144 Very close on everything we compare
Gerry, NY 14740 87%494$64,853$126,000$162 cheaper homes ($48K less) · newer homes
Lowman, NY 14861 87%380$64,904$149,100— cheaper homes ($25K less) · newer homes
Watkins Glen, NY 14891 87%382$61,875$164,700$184 larger
Marion, WI 54950 87%942$67,102$161,500$168 larger · younger residents
Tilden, NE 68781 87%1,416$67,212$171,700— more single-family homes
Lancaster, NH 03584 86%91$66,768$209,500$163 pricier homes ($35K more) · larger
Franklin, NY 13775 86%301$78,750$180,000$252 5 min longer commute · newer homes
Ashville, NY 14710 86%508$66,120$151,100$209 larger · more homeowners
Smithfield, PA 15478 86%600$67,449$169,200$188 larger
Conneautville, PA 16406 86%562$65,911$186,800$279 larger
Richmond, OH 43944 86%620$69,228$167,900$172 larger · more single-family homes
Killbuck, OH 44637 86%675$65,625$174,000$182 larger · younger residents

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.