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 Trenton, NJ 08691

Trenton: median income $132,520, home value $552,000, $305/sq ft, 36-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Ashland, MA 01721 88%215$127,539$611,700$353 pricier homes ($60K more)
Derwood, MD 20855 86%155$149,110$640,300$297 pricier homes ($88K more) · more single-family homes · older homes
Canton, MA 02021 85%224$143,381$710,600$425 pricier homes ($159K more) · older homes
Lorton, VA 22079 85%175$148,134$637,600$316 pricier homes ($86K more) · larger · younger residents
Newtown, PA 18940 83%19$157,414$655,000$316 pricier homes ($103K more) · larger
Glen Mills, PA 19342 83%53$132,688$594,000$276 pricier homes ($42K more) · 9 min shorter commute
Blue Bell, PA 19422 83%36$158,288$611,900$274 higher income ($26K more) · pricier homes ($60K more) · 5 min shorter commute
North Wales, PA 19454 83%35$118,177$457,900$265 cheaper homes ($94K less) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Bowie, MD 20716 83%144$125,034$429,600$250 cheaper homes ($122K less)
Alpharetta, GA 30009 83%682$126,510$640,500$317 pricier homes ($89K more) · 9 min shorter commute · more renters
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33326 83%1,029$117,373$573,800$350 larger · 8 min shorter commute
Crofton, MD 21114 82%139$141,344$490,400$260 cheaper homes ($62K less) · larger · younger residents
Annapolis, MD 21403 82%134$123,329$582,500$366 pricier homes ($31K more) · larger · older homes
Alexandria, VA 22310 82%167$166,061$659,700$355 higher income ($34K more) · pricier homes ($108K more) · larger
Franklin, MA 02038 81%210$145,773$611,700$343 pricier homes ($60K more) · larger · more single-family homes
Woodstock, MD 21163 81%134$134,672$602,800$254 pricier homes ($51K more) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Tampa, FL 33626 81%957$127,118$577,100$289 pricier homes ($25K more) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Warrington, PA 18976 80%29$123,285$536,200$290 6 min shorter commute · more single-family homes
Ellicott City, MD 21043 80%135$148,125$620,900$272 pricier homes ($69K more) · larger · 8 min shorter commute
Annapolis, MD 21401 80%134$123,381$601,400$331 pricier homes ($49K more) · larger · 8 min shorter commute
Vernon Hills, IL 60061 80%708$124,468$416,700$241 cheaper homes ($135K less) · larger · 9 min shorter commute
Aurora, IL 60502 80%720$156,904$412,300$225 cheaper homes ($140K less) · younger residents · 6 min shorter commute
Laurel, MD 20723 79%142$138,113$525,400$255 cheaper homes ($27K less) · larger · younger residents
Perry Hall, MD 21128 79%114$128,069$449,500$212 cheaper homes ($103K less)
Glenview, IL 60026 79%698$137,778$694,200$346 pricier homes ($142K more) · 7 min shorter commute · more walkable

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.