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 Richford, VT 05476

Richford: median income $57,361, home value $196,700, $183/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Bentleyville, PA 15314 94%501$59,356$166,300$134 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Smithton, PA 15479 94%489$63,852$202,700$204 smaller
Arabi, LA 70032 94%1,400$56,813$225,500$172 pricier homes ($29K more)
Cairo, NY 12413 93%195$60,363$232,800$128 pricier homes ($36K more)
Tulelake, CA 96134 93%2,417$49,674$200,000— Very close on everything we compare
Kenbridge, VA 23944 92%623$59,321$146,700$144 cheaper homes ($50K less)
Rittman, OH 44270 92%536$63,650$170,200$170 cheaper homes ($27K less) · larger
Bronson, MI 49028 92%662$60,127$152,300$187 cheaper homes ($44K less) · larger
Watervliet, MI 49098 92%705$59,047$164,200$184 cheaper homes ($33K less) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Oconto Falls, WI 54154 92%755$59,767$200,900$172 larger · older residents
Pittsfield, ME 04967 91%161$57,381$164,100$143 cheaper homes ($33K less)
New Ellenton, SC 29809 91%931$55,234$154,800$156 cheaper homes ($42K less)
Melbourne, KY 41059 91%726$58,553$217,400$209 older residents
West Milton, OH 45383 91%686$66,620$171,800$161 larger
Elmore City, OK 73433 91%1,486$58,194$152,400$177 cheaper homes ($44K less) · newer homes
Duryea, PA 18642 90%294$61,250$158,700$140 cheaper homes ($38K less) · older homes
New Springfield, OH 44443 90%487$56,957$218,900$161 smaller
Marlette, MI 48453 90%526$53,676$163,800$145 cheaper homes ($33K less) · larger
Union City, MI 49094 90%655$65,404$143,800$141 cheaper homes ($53K less)
Wellman, IA 52356 90%991$57,321$227,800$135 pricier homes ($31K more)
Stanley, WI 54768 90%890$54,964$208,700$158 larger
Preston, MN 55965 90%961$65,577$206,700$163 older residents
Viborg, SD 57070 90%1,214$61,522$215,800$230 smaller
Chebanse, IL 60922 90%814$62,000$173,500$138 smaller
Beecher City, IL 62414 90%916$58,370$157,800— cheaper homes ($39K less) · smaller

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.