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 The Plains, VA 20198

The Plains: median income $106,518, home value $933,000, $521/sq ft, 25-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Salisbury, CT 06068 92%314$123,552$842,200$461 cheaper homes ($91K less)
Nederland, CO 80466 87%1,476$100,962$731,700$442 cheaper homes ($201K less) · larger
Washington Depot, CT 06794 85%303$96,979$733,100$431 cheaper homes ($200K less) · smaller
Penngrove, CA 94951 85%2,399$106,332$1,207,000$543 pricier homes ($274K more) · more walkable
West Barnstable, MA 02668 83%436$111,731$709,300$459 cheaper homes ($224K less) · 5 min shorter commute · more homeowners
Holualoa, HI 96725 82%4,756$93,346$880,000$586 cheaper homes ($53K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Aromas, CA 95004 81%2,374$130,744$877,300$600 cheaper homes ($56K less) · larger
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730 80%1,760$98,305$1,014,200$801 pricier homes ($81K more) · younger residents · newer homes
Bonsall, CA 92003 79%2,218$113,216$926,700$451 larger · more apartments and townhomes
Santa Ynez, CA 93460 79%2,340$114,139$1,205,900$677 pricier homes ($273K more) · larger
Kalaheo, HI 96741 78%4,855$110,873$953,200$696 larger · more homeowners
Cape Neddick, ME 03902 77%477$133,676$592,200$405 higher income ($27K more) · cheaper homes ($341K less) · 5 min longer commute
Trinidad, CA 95570 77%2,432$74,777$635,400$447 lower income ($32K less) · cheaper homes ($298K less)
Southold, NY 11971 76%320$129,507$843,300$587 cheaper homes ($90K less) · larger · more homeowners
Forestville, CA 95436 76%2,410$109,531$739,600$591 cheaper homes ($193K less) · larger · older homes
East Quogue, NY 11942 75%307$93,710$844,100$675 cheaper homes ($89K less) · larger · older residents
Mattituck, NY 11952 75%313$120,139$764,300$531 cheaper homes ($169K less) · larger · more homeowners
San Juan Bautista, CA 95045 75%2,369$110,438$896,700$410 cheaper homes ($36K less) · larger · 10 min longer commute
North Falmouth, MA 02556 74%422$121,810$717,800$491 cheaper homes ($215K less) · more homeowners
Ben Lomond, CA 95005 74%2,393$104,375$967,300$570 pricier homes ($34K more) · larger · 9 min longer commute
Northvale, NJ 07647 73%251$128,542$602,800$451 cheaper homes ($330K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Oak Creek, CO 80467 73%1,550$102,143$663,500$404 cheaper homes ($270K less) · 5 min longer commute · more homeowners
Templeton, CA 93465 73%2,353$129,259$870,100$579 cheaper homes ($63K less) · larger · more homeowners
Brookhaven, NY 11719 72%290$126,250$658,700$410 cheaper homes ($274K less) · more homeowners · older homes
Tahoe City, CA 96145 72%2,254$112,875$962,600$704 pricier homes ($30K more) · larger · more apartments and townhomes

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.