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 Thiells, NY 10984

Thiells: median income $121,250, home value $598,600, $374/sq ft, 34-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Forestdale, MA 02644 85%184$108,158$485,700$361 cheaper homes ($113K less) · older residents · 6 min shorter commute
East Freetown, MA 02717 85%162$130,625$520,800$336 cheaper homes ($78K less) · larger · more renters
North Dighton, MA 02764 85%155$135,640$533,800$369 cheaper homes ($65K less) · larger
Midland, VA 22728 85%268$120,789$516,300$262 cheaper homes ($82K less)
Palo Cedro, CA 96073 85%2,486$120,469$567,000$274 cheaper homes ($32K less) · larger · older residents
East Taunton, MA 02718 83%162$109,500$469,200$300 cheaper homes ($129K less) · larger
Virginia Beach, VA 23457 83%335$116,250$571,000$312 cheaper homes ($28K less) · larger · less walkable
Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451 83%1,673$111,875$421,100$349 cheaper homes ($178K less) · smaller
Scotts Mills, OR 97375 83%2,429$110,758$612,900$380 smaller · younger residents · less walkable
Hope, RI 02831 82%132$137,181$462,200$299 cheaper homes ($136K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Sanbornton, NH 03269 82%203$107,083$450,000$319 cheaper homes ($149K less) · older residents
Nottingham, NH 03290 82%199$122,201$457,500$345 cheaper homes ($141K less) · larger · newer homes
Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 82%77$134,038$580,900$325 larger · older residents · newer homes
Halifax, MA 02338 81%173$118,556$481,500$347 cheaper homes ($117K less) · larger · older residents
East Wareham, MA 02538 81%178$123,750$392,000$404 cheaper homes ($207K less) · more renters
Foster, RI 02825 81%125$112,593$445,600$272 cheaper homes ($153K less) · larger · older residents
North Berwick, ME 03906 81%223$105,156$432,900$325 cheaper homes ($166K less) · larger
West Creek, NJ 08092 81%108$110,509$496,900$322 cheaper homes ($102K less) · older residents · 7 min shorter commute
Pylesville, MD 21132 81%164$132,288$485,600$230 cheaper homes ($113K less) · less walkable
Scandia, MN 55073 81%985$128,723$462,400$249 cheaper homes ($136K less) · older residents · less walkable
Hayden, CO 81639 81%1,727$110,404$443,600$354 cheaper homes ($155K less) · 6 min shorter commute · more renters
Tacoma, WA 98443 81%2,391$105,035$519,100$320 cheaper homes ($80K less) · larger · older residents
Northwood, NH 03261 80%200$129,375$363,000$308 cheaper homes ($236K less) · larger · older residents
Mine Hill, NJ 07803 80%37$119,583$434,100$315 cheaper homes ($165K less) · older residents
Randolph, MN 55065 80%987$119,667$407,100$238 cheaper homes ($192K 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.