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 Mount Vernon, ME 04352

Mount Vernon: median income $74,395, home value $264,200, $207/sq ft, 32-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
West Burke, VT 05871 95%97$74,572$277,900$209 younger residents
Shaftsbury, VT 05262 93%193$71,417$253,600$208 Very close on everything we compare
Montville, OH 44064 93%593$73,750$242,700$166 Very close on everything we compare
Rumney, NH 03266 92%104$76,071$281,900$251 Very close on everything we compare
Groton, VT 05046 92%112$84,375$259,000$202 younger residents
Cement City, MI 49233 92%739$81,250$229,600$196 cheaper homes ($35K less) · larger
Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849 92%1,059$80,714$261,000$219 5 min longer commute
Newfane, VT 05345 91%171$67,472$277,700$231 older residents
Cabot, VT 05647 91%114$76,406$249,400$253 smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Glen Spey, NY 12737 91%320$87,939$289,700$208 pricier homes ($26K more)
Homerville, OH 44235 91%660$76,634$279,100$224 newer homes
Whitewater, MO 63785 91%1,145$75,938$206,100$249 cheaper homes ($58K less)
East Fairfield, VT 05448 90%143$82,500$273,800$232 smaller · younger residents
Pawlet, VT 05761 90%176$68,125$324,300$271 pricier homes ($60K more) · smaller · older residents
La Valle, WI 53941 90%1,000$82,537$261,100$187 larger
Spring City, UT 84662 90%2,135$73,295$374,400$177 pricier homes ($110K more)
Worcester, VT 05682 89%127$85,417$280,200$234 Very close on everything we compare
Jay, NY 12941 89%184$68,625$208,500$234 cheaper homes ($56K less)
Burdett, NY 14818 89%371$69,107$231,900$165 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Falls, PA 18615 89%363$76,184$229,100$253 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Lancaster, VA 22503 89%577$74,051$272,000$211 larger · older residents
Rapid City, MI 49676 89%751$75,781$269,300$290 larger
Panora, IA 50216 89%1,240$79,635$228,600$261 cheaper homes ($36K less) · larger
Blanchardville, WI 53516 89%997$85,324$306,600$157 pricier homes ($42K more)
Troy, ID 83871 89%2,232$89,750$361,800$179 pricier homes ($98K more)

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.