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 Islip Terrace, NY 11752

Islip Terrace: median income $151,917, home value $527,700, $380/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
East Bridgewater, MA 02333 87%146$133,741$509,200$322 larger · newer homes
East Freetown, MA 02717 87%135$130,625$520,800$336 smaller
North Dighton, MA 02764 87%130$135,640$533,800$369 smaller · younger residents
Hope, RI 02831 87%109$137,181$462,200$299 cheaper homes ($66K less) · smaller
Hazlet, NJ 07730 87%57$125,338$478,600$375 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($49K less) · larger
Hanson, MA 02341 84%150$132,250$536,100$337 Very close on everything we compare
East Wareham, MA 02538 84%149$123,750$392,000$404 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($136K less) · smaller
Rehoboth, MA 02769 84%126$138,214$563,000$323 pricier homes ($35K more) · newer homes
Swansea, MA 02777 84%123$116,364$445,000$356 lower income ($36K less) · cheaper homes ($83K less) · larger
Stanhope, NJ 07874 84%80$132,500$364,000$346 cheaper homes ($164K less)
Succasunna, NJ 07876 84%77$161,304$527,200$324 Very close on everything we compare
Seekonk, MA 02771 83%122$120,613$482,800$314 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($45K less) · larger
Lakeville, MA 02347 82%138$133,984$565,900$358 pricier homes ($38K more) · newer homes
Pembroke, MA 02359 82%153$146,285$586,500$392 pricier homes ($59K more) · larger
Branchville, NJ 07826 82%87$116,598$392,200$289 lower income ($35K less) · cheaper homes ($136K less) · smaller
Somerset, MA 02726 81%126$111,046$419,000$345 lower income ($41K less) · cheaper homes ($109K less) · larger
Mine Hill, NJ 07803 81%74$119,583$434,100$315 lower income ($32K less) · cheaper homes ($94K less) · smaller
Milltown, NJ 08850 81%69$141,601$470,700$410 cheaper homes ($57K less) · more walkable
Damascus, OR 97089 81%2,468$123,689$633,600$300 lower income ($28K less) · pricier homes ($106K more) · larger
West Townsend, MA 01474 80%151$136,371$460,200$277 cheaper homes ($68K less) · smaller
Holbrook, MA 02343 80%148$115,032$464,700$406 lower income ($37K less) · cheaper homes ($63K less) · 7 min longer commute
Pascoag, RI 02859 80%113$124,592$385,500$288 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($142K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Candia, NH 03034 80%186$131,350$412,700$294 cheaper homes ($115K less) · smaller · newer homes
Northwood, NH 03261 80%198$129,375$363,000$308 cheaper homes ($165K less) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Palo Cedro, CA 96073 80%2,536$120,469$567,000$274 lower income ($31K less) · pricier homes ($39K more) · 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.