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 Youngstown, NY 14174

Youngstown: median income $79,695, home value $250,300, $231/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Brandon, VT 05733 93%300$68,831$248,200$218 Very close on everything we compare
Chester, VT 05143 92%323$70,610$255,200$230 Very close on everything we compare
Freeport, PA 16229 91%179$81,731$206,900$183 cheaper homes ($43K less)
Newport, NH 03773 90%344$81,232$239,300$213 Very close on everything we compare
Hamilton, IN 46742 90%321$78,750$250,500$199 smaller · newer homes
Bridgman, MI 49106 90%393$72,500$262,400$206 Very close on everything we compare
Baden, PA 15005 89%190$73,354$216,500$190 cheaper homes ($34K less) · larger
Ligonier, PA 15658 89%208$82,771$245,400$206 older residents
Mineral Point, WI 53565 89%563$84,589$269,800$183 younger residents
Amherst, WI 54406 89%518$77,533$284,800$186 pricier homes ($35K more) · newer homes
Glenwood, MN 56334 89%822$69,525$279,900$191 pricier homes ($30K more)
Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 89%863$79,475$298,800$226 pricier homes ($49K more) · newer homes
Springfield, MA 01129 88%341$97,162$256,700$232 more walkable
Jaffrey, NH 03452 88%355$92,330$245,500$265 younger residents
Shaftsbury, VT 05262 88%294$71,417$253,600$208 smaller
Stafford Springs, CT 06076 88%354$92,016$267,300$219 larger
Cheswick, PA 15024 88%190$79,647$239,600$181 larger · more walkable
Biglerville, PA 17307 88%246$88,571$258,200$171 Very close on everything we compare
Archbald, PA 18403 88%216$77,521$223,900$156 cheaper homes ($26K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Valdese, NC 28690 88%536$67,000$211,300$219 cheaper homes ($39K less) · larger
Sheridan, IN 46069 88%429$76,990$291,900$183 pricier homes ($42K more) · newer homes
Cedar Grove, WI 53013 88%443$84,375$277,900$236 pricier homes ($28K more) · smaller
Monticello, WI 53570 88%536$87,500$245,200$183 smaller
Markesan, WI 53946 88%501$72,450$245,500$175 Very close on everything we compare
Amery, WI 54001 88%676$80,344$286,800$200 pricier homes ($37K more) · 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.