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.

Reset

Towns most like Media, PA 19063

Media: median income $127,368, home value $548,900, $303/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Annapolis, MD 21403 94%89$123,329$582,500$366 pricier homes ($34K more)
Arlington Heights, IL 60004 93%672$128,979$424,200$280 cheaper homes ($125K less)
Palatine, IL 60067 93%676$125,446$426,600$257 cheaper homes ($122K less)
Downers Grove, IL 60515 92%671$123,197$461,200$308 cheaper homes ($88K less)
Somerville, NJ 08876 91%60$122,884$485,100$359 cheaper homes ($64K less) · smaller · younger residents
Nanuet, NY 10954 91%109$116,332$533,000$383 Very close on everything we compare
North Kingstown, RI 02852 90%236$118,643$504,900$332 cheaper homes ($44K less) · smaller
Wheaton, IL 60189 90%675$128,878$482,800$259 cheaper homes ($66K less)
La Grange, IL 60525 90%664$116,918$438,000$296 cheaper homes ($111K less)
Morris Plains, NJ 07950 89%80$153,762$589,900$398 higher income ($26K more) · pricier homes ($41K more) · smaller
Lawrence Township, NJ 08648 89%40$125,514$428,000$294 cheaper homes ($121K less) · younger residents
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 89%75$125,528$477,700$252 cheaper homes ($71K less)
Northville, MI 48167 89%454$124,630$452,800$232 cheaper homes ($96K less) · smaller
Shrewsbury, MA 01545 88%252$139,302$592,300$353 pricier homes ($43K more)
Danvers, MA 01923 88%295$125,395$644,200$428 pricier homes ($95K more)
Stoneham, MA 02180 88%285$113,964$671,900$437 pricier homes ($123K more) · smaller
Catonsville, MD 21228 88%84$112,656$404,700$239 cheaper homes ($144K less)
Annapolis, MD 21401 88%89$123,381$601,400$331 pricier homes ($53K more) · newer homes
Annandale, VA 22003 88%123$138,794$732,400$338 pricier homes ($184K more) · larger
Willowbrook, IL 60527 88%667$106,543$501,700$269 cheaper homes ($47K less)
Denver, CO 80228 88%1,572$113,977$641,300$291 pricier homes ($92K more) · younger residents · newer homes
North Andover, MA 01845 87%293$140,670$732,900$367 pricier homes ($184K more) · younger residents
Foxboro, MA 02035 87%263$115,833$606,300$366 pricier homes ($57K more) · smaller · less walkable
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 87%234$101,901$457,600$362 lower income ($25K less) · cheaper homes ($91K less) · newer homes
North Attleboro, MA 02760 86%256$112,027$478,700$330 cheaper homes ($70K less)

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.