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 Riva, MD 21140

Riva: median income $170,156, home value $634,700, $298/sq ft, 34-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Shoreham, NY 11786 93%239$163,466$604,700$382 cheaper homes ($30K less)
Wading River, NY 11792 91%242$146,174$597,300$396 cheaper homes ($37K less) · larger
West Kingston, RI 02892 90%316$135,809$490,600$269 lower income ($34K less) · cheaper homes ($144K less)
Brookline, NH 03033 90%367$171,046$544,400$245 cheaper homes ($90K less) · newer homes
Millstone Township, NJ 08535 90%135$209,732$734,100$329 higher income ($40K more) · pricier homes ($99K more)
Assonet, MA 02702 89%351$153,038$516,100$293 cheaper homes ($119K less) · less walkable
Auburn, NH 03032 89%391$153,253$600,300$294 cheaper homes ($34K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Mont Vernon, NH 03057 89%374$156,250$518,400$275 cheaper homes ($116K less) · smaller
Succasunna, NJ 07876 89%167$161,304$527,200$324 cheaper homes ($108K less) · larger · older homes
Pipersville, PA 18947 88%129$140,783$615,000$302 lower income ($29K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Loretto, MN 55357 88%972$152,500$530,200$245 cheaper homes ($105K less) · newer homes
Princeton, MA 01541 87%345$158,750$520,500$284 cheaper homes ($114K less)
Hampton Falls, NH 03844 87%405$165,509$764,900$354 pricier homes ($130K more) · smaller · more renters
Center Moriches, NY 11934 87%238$170,801$589,200$398 cheaper homes ($46K less) · larger · younger residents
Rescue, CA 95672 87%2,366$146,769$767,400$331 pricier homes ($133K more)
Upton, MA 01568 86%343$160,417$574,700$316 cheaper homes ($60K less) · larger · more renters
Sandy Hook, CT 06482 86%245$159,828$499,200$285 cheaper homes ($136K less) · larger
Bethany, CT 06524 86%255$166,236$418,000$257 cheaper homes ($217K less)
Ringoes, NJ 08551 86%139$162,617$595,800$314 cheaper homes ($39K less) · more renters
Asbury, NJ 08802 86%146$135,689$461,700$261 lower income ($34K less) · cheaper homes ($173K less)
Pittstown, NJ 08867 86%143$204,583$601,600$276 higher income ($34K more) · cheaper homes ($33K less)
Nesconset, NY 11767 86%224$152,985$637,900$407 larger
Mendon, MA 01756 85%342$132,256$616,000$314 lower income ($38K less)
Chester, NH 03036 85%393$142,212$552,300$298 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($82K less)
East Kingston, NH 03827 85%400$142,794$600,500$273 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($34K less) · older residents

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.