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 Hamilton, VA 20158

Hamilton: median income $211,522, home value $765,800, $291/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Marriottsville, MD 21104 90%42$191,804$680,200$243 cheaper homes ($86K less) · more homeowners
Davidsonville, MD 21035 89%56$188,347$831,500$273 pricier homes ($66K more) · larger · more homeowners
Brookeville, MD 20833 88%32$204,375$797,100$284 pricier homes ($31K more) · larger · more homeowners
Groton, MA 01450 87%399$193,292$743,400$325 larger
Windham, NH 03087 87%417$189,583$723,300$322 cheaper homes ($43K less) · larger
Millstone Township, NJ 08535 87%175$209,732$734,100$329 cheaper homes ($32K less) · more homeowners
Grafton, MA 01519 86%378$178,263$631,600$320 lower income ($33K less) · cheaper homes ($134K less) · larger
Dunstable, MA 01827 86%404$208,512$674,000$306 cheaper homes ($92K less) · more homeowners
Norfolk, MA 02056 86%390$200,720$725,200$344 cheaper homes ($41K less) · larger · more homeowners
Pittstown, NJ 08867 86%175$204,583$601,600$276 cheaper homes ($164K less) · more homeowners
Ringoes, NJ 08551 85%175$162,617$595,800$314 lower income ($49K less) · cheaper homes ($170K less)
Brookline, NH 03033 84%399$171,046$544,400$245 lower income ($40K less) · cheaper homes ($221K less) · more homeowners
Chester, NJ 07930 84%195$240,954$771,200$361 higher income ($29K more) · larger
Jamison, PA 18929 84%157$179,380$627,700$274 lower income ($32K less) · cheaper homes ($138K less) · larger
Glenmoore, PA 19343 84%120$160,256$567,700$267 lower income ($51K less) · cheaper homes ($198K less) · larger
Poolesville, MD 20837 84%13$174,063$772,300$243 lower income ($37K less) · 7 min longer commute
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33332 84%918$172,730$909,000$395 lower income ($39K less) · pricier homes ($143K more) · larger
Oakland, MI 48363 84%382$179,375$618,200$226 lower income ($32K less) · cheaper homes ($148K less) · more homeowners
Alpine, UT 84004 84%1,802$170,500$980,300$289 lower income ($41K less) · pricier homes ($215K more) · larger
Hanover, MA 02339 83%412$189,803$755,400$385 larger · older homes
Millstone Township, NJ 08510 83%177$225,966$740,700$318 cheaper homes ($25K less) · 6 min longer commute · more homeowners
Woodbine, MD 21797 83%35$189,241$735,600$259 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger · 8 min longer commute
Glencoe, MO 63038 83%700$186,450$580,800$193 lower income ($25K less) · cheaper homes ($185K less)
Southborough, MA 01772 82%388$201,568$841,700$354 pricier homes ($76K more) · larger
Bow, NH 03304 82%421$172,857$506,500$279 lower income ($39K less) · cheaper homes ($259K less) · larger

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.