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 Freeport, NY 11520

Freeport: median income $121,748, home value $506,100, $406/sq ft, 36-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Union, NJ 07083 89%36$121,887$455,300$392 cheaper homes ($51K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Randolph, MA 02368 88%168$109,665$496,800$346 newer homes
Covina, CA 91722 87%2,449$102,062$653,900$535 pricier homes ($148K more)
Saugus, MA 01906 84%183$101,539$603,400$393 pricier homes ($97K more) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Hillside, NJ 07205 83%34$99,528$397,400$353 cheaper homes ($109K less) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Concord, CA 94519 83%2,562$122,418$783,700$506 pricier homes ($278K more) · smaller
Brockton, MA 02302 82%167$92,274$424,800$366 lower income ($29K less) · cheaper homes ($81K less)
Dunellen, NJ 08812 82%46$118,316$442,900$356 cheaper homes ($63K less) · smaller
Whittier, CA 90601 82%2,458$104,052$787,500$519 pricier homes ($281K more)
West Covina, CA 91790 82%2,451$102,927$770,900$522 pricier homes ($265K more)
Lynn, MA 01904 81%186$99,614$560,500$391 pricier homes ($54K more) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Braintree, MA 02184 81%172$122,214$656,800$428 pricier homes ($151K more)
Clifton, NJ 07013 81%34$116,273$478,100$434 cheaper homes ($28K less) · older residents · 7 min shorter commute
Plainfield, NJ 07062 81%43$98,344$396,100$417 cheaper homes ($110K less) · smaller
Bergenfield, NJ 07621 81%29$130,045$491,500$484 smaller
Fords, NJ 08863 81%39$115,861$438,000$386 cheaper homes ($68K less) · smaller
Whittier, CA 90604 81%2,459$105,074$785,200$582 pricier homes ($279K more)
Glendora, CA 91740 81%2,445$99,083$787,400$489 pricier homes ($281K more) · smaller
Methuen, MA 01844 80%190$113,212$499,800$341 8 min shorter commute · less walkable · newer homes
Seattle, WA 98178 80%2,420$99,505$660,400$367 pricier homes ($154K more) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 79%29$123,734$552,900$430 pricier homes ($47K more) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Keyport, NJ 07735 79%36$97,536$406,000$382 cheaper homes ($100K less) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Chicago, IL 60634 79%743$88,533$353,900$271 lower income ($33K less) · cheaper homes ($152K less) · larger
Dumont, NJ 07628 78%29$126,071$497,400$420 smaller
Old Bridge, NJ 08857 78%43$109,312$486,600$372 less walkable · newer homes

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.