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 Laurel, MD 20724

Laurel: median income $118,115, home value $426,100, $266/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
North Brunswick, NJ 08902 91%155$121,071$433,800$319 larger
Royersford, PA 19468 86%103$108,534$402,800$246 more homeowners
Centreville, VA 20121 86%39$129,947$520,200$320 pricier homes ($94K more)
Nashua, NH 03063 85%376$107,630$391,400$291 cheaper homes ($35K less) · more single-family homes
Pompano Beach, FL 33073 85%905$97,412$500,700$296 pricier homes ($75K more) · larger
Burnsville, MN 55306 84%930$100,515$374,700$187 cheaper homes ($51K less)
Lisle, IL 60532 84%621$102,085$386,300$253 cheaper homes ($40K less) · older homes
Orlando, FL 32819 83%782$98,109$489,700$278 pricier homes ($64K more) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Schaumburg, IL 60194 83%626$97,994$329,700$251 cheaper homes ($96K less) · more homeowners · older homes
Denver, CO 80234 83%1,498$92,563$530,300$237 lower income ($26K less) · pricier homes ($104K more) · larger
Horsham, PA 19044 82%116$88,173$402,400$297 lower income ($30K less) · 5 min shorter commute · older homes
Aurora, IL 60504 82%628$98,008$286,500$219 cheaper homes ($140K less) · larger
Renton, WA 98055 82%2,320$97,224$602,800$326 pricier homes ($177K more)
Hightstown, NJ 08520 81%146$118,010$376,600$292 cheaper homes ($50K less) · larger · older homes
Tampa, FL 33635 81%834$86,894$344,900$241 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($81K less)
Exton, PA 19341 80%91$121,680$509,300$249 pricier homes ($83K more) · more renters
Hatfield, PA 19440 80%115$99,408$438,500$258 more single-family homes · older homes
Woodbridge, VA 22191 80%40$109,316$454,300$246 pricier homes ($28K more) · larger · 8 min longer commute
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324 80%918$85,000$379,700$262 lower income ($33K less) · cheaper homes ($46K less) · larger
Carol Stream, IL 60188 80%625$103,628$337,400$236 cheaper homes ($89K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Cliffwood, NJ 07721 79%165$123,060$424,700$348 smaller · younger residents
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33325 79%920$100,553$455,000$348 pricier homes ($29K more) · larger · more homeowners
Woodridge, IL 60517 79%618$99,024$361,700$229 cheaper homes ($64K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Broomfield, CO 80021 79%1,504$110,038$568,000$292 pricier homes ($142K more) · larger · 5 min shorter commute
Haverhill, MA 01835 78%391$113,578$468,800$311 pricier homes ($43K more) · more homeowners · more single-family 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.