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 Hillsdale, NJ 07642

Hillsdale: median income $186,688, home value $677,500, $447/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Old Bethpage, NY 11804 90%35$190,469$848,500$534 pricier homes ($171K more) · smaller
Topsfield, MA 01983 89%195$195,718$853,400$402 pricier homes ($176K more) · smaller
Barrington, RI 02806 89%150$153,198$644,100$426 lower income ($33K less) · cheaper homes ($33K less) · larger
West Nyack, NY 10994 88%7$170,307$620,200$392 cheaper homes ($57K less) · smaller · older residents
Bayport, NY 11705 88%55$164,300$646,500$426 cheaper homes ($31K less) · less walkable
Commack, NY 11725 88%41$168,281$670,000$463 larger
East Setauket, NY 11733 88%49$173,281$683,400$408 larger · less walkable
Tappan, NY 10983 87%5$160,170$610,900$413 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller
Springfield, VA 22151 86%227$156,015$655,800$350 lower income ($31K less) · larger
Lynnfield, MA 01940 85%187$173,214$905,400$418 pricier homes ($228K more) · less walkable
Medway, MA 02053 85%157$173,750$617,300$337 cheaper homes ($60K less) · newer homes
Reading, MA 01867 83%184$165,912$809,000$473 pricier homes ($132K more) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Greenlawn, NY 11740 83%37$152,386$693,700$461 lower income ($34K less) · 6 min longer commute
Thornwood, NY 10594 82%16$163,542$683,200$506 smaller
Brightwaters, NY 11718 82%45$218,000$768,600$441 higher income ($31K more) · pricier homes ($91K more) · smaller
West Islip, NY 11795 82%44$177,269$619,900$451 cheaper homes ($58K less) · larger
Severna Park, MD 21146 82%188$172,122$659,800$317 larger · newer homes
Alexandria, VA 22308 82%224$212,545$914,400$420 higher income ($26K more) · pricier homes ($237K more)
Holliston, MA 01746 81%158$159,817$650,300$360 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($27K less) · 6 min longer commute
Centerport, NY 11721 81%36$197,179$740,300$473 pricier homes ($63K more) · smaller · older residents
Massapequa Park, NY 11762 81%39$169,624$641,000$508 cheaper homes ($37K less) · larger · 7 min longer commute
Sayville, NY 11782 81%53$147,672$637,300$507 lower income ($39K less) · cheaper homes ($40K less) · more renters
Fairfax, VA 22032 81%229$178,394$799,200$361 pricier homes ($122K more) · larger · newer homes
Seattle, WA 98177 81%2,391$169,918$1,048,900$544 pricier homes ($371K more) · larger · more walkable
Westwood, MA 02090 80%168$223,125$1,041,500$493 higher income ($36K more) · pricier homes ($364K more) · 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.