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 West River, MD 20778

West River: median income $205,974, home value $716,500, $307/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Millstone Township, NJ 08535 94%139$209,732$734,100$329 larger
Millstone Township, NJ 08510 87%138$225,966$740,700$318 larger · 7 min longer commute
Defiance, MO 63341 87%769$170,598$606,800$224 lower income ($35K less) · cheaper homes ($110K less) · larger
Wayne, IL 60184 86%653$163,750$642,700$239 lower income ($42K less) · cheaper homes ($74K less)
Broad Run, VA 20137 85%63$191,974$720,900$355 8 min longer commute
Dunstable, MA 01827 84%375$208,512$674,000$306 cheaper homes ($43K less) · larger · younger residents
Pittstown, NJ 08867 84%149$204,583$601,600$276 cheaper homes ($115K less) · larger
West Newbury, MA 01985 82%400$179,500$808,200$387 lower income ($26K less) · pricier homes ($92K more) · larger
Hampton Falls, NH 03844 82%409$165,509$764,900$354 lower income ($40K less) · pricier homes ($48K more) · more renters
Newfields, NH 03856 82%411$197,885$646,400$371 cheaper homes ($70K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Loretto, MN 55357 82%979$152,500$530,200$245 lower income ($53K less) · cheaper homes ($186K less) · larger
East Kingston, NH 03827 81%404$142,794$600,500$273 lower income ($63K less) · cheaper homes ($116K less)
Hamilton, VA 20158 81%64$211,522$765,800$291 pricier homes ($49K more) · larger · more renters
Auburn, NH 03032 80%395$153,253$600,300$294 lower income ($53K less) · cheaper homes ($116K less) · larger
Brookline, NH 03033 79%371$171,046$544,400$245 lower income ($35K less) · cheaper homes ($172K less) · larger
Mont Vernon, NH 03057 79%379$156,250$518,400$275 lower income ($50K less) · cheaper homes ($198K less) · older homes
Rescue, CA 95672 79%2,370$146,769$767,400$331 lower income ($59K less) · pricier homes ($51K more) · larger
Bucyrus, KS 66013 78%976$164,320$724,500$234 lower income ($42K less) · younger residents · 5 min shorter commute
Hollis, NH 03049 77%375$168,883$675,900$286 lower income ($37K less) · cheaper homes ($41K less) · larger
Ringoes, NJ 08551 77%144$162,617$595,800$314 lower income ($43K less) · cheaper homes ($121K less) · larger
Driftwood, TX 78619 77%1,360$183,393$810,600$339 pricier homes ($94K more) · larger · newer homes
Bridgewater, CT 06752 76%251$159,365$693,000$335 lower income ($47K less) · older residents · older homes
Shoreham, NY 11786 76%243$163,466$604,700$382 lower income ($43K less) · cheaper homes ($112K less) · larger
Oakland, MI 48363 76%441$179,375$618,200$226 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($98K less) · larger
Amston, CT 06231 75%293$168,313$407,500$255 lower income ($38K less) · cheaper homes ($309K 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.