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 Fairfax, VA 22030

Fairfax: median income $139,831, home value $740,400, $347/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Atlanta, GA 30319 92%520$130,648$762,500$301 Very close on everything we compare
Atlanta, GA 30342 89%521$124,111$829,400$318 pricier homes ($89K more) · smaller
Gaithersburg, MD 20878 88%19$144,313$715,800$302 older residents
Rockville, MD 20850 87%19$125,950$714,400$331 cheaper homes ($26K less) · older residents
Columbia, MD 21044 87%35$135,057$566,500$250 cheaper homes ($174K less) · older residents
Charlotte, NC 28211 87%318$132,917$774,900$360 pricier homes ($35K more) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Bothell, WA 98011 87%2,305$131,667$933,000$486 pricier homes ($193K more) · smaller
Lone Tree, CO 80124 85%1,471$129,858$773,900$272 pricier homes ($34K more) · smaller
Ellicott City, MD 21043 84%40$148,125$620,900$272 cheaper homes ($120K less) · older residents · less walkable
Atlanta, GA 30338 83%515$135,148$611,300$249 cheaper homes ($129K less) · smaller
Englewood, CO 80112 83%1,471$108,874$659,200$282 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($81K less) · smaller
Alpharetta, GA 30009 82%509$126,510$640,500$317 cheaper homes ($100K less) · smaller · older residents
Decatur, GA 30030 82%523$126,830$631,500$328 cheaper homes ($109K less) · smaller · older residents
Elkridge, MD 21075 81%39$135,303$455,300$246 cheaper homes ($285K less) · smaller
Atlanta, GA 30328 81%519$112,111$561,900$236 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($179K less) · smaller
Davis, CA 95618 81%2,371$115,591$867,400$483 pricier homes ($127K more) · smaller
North Andover, MA 01845 80%419$140,670$732,900$367 smaller · older homes
Exton, PA 19341 80%122$121,680$509,300$249 cheaper homes ($231K less) · smaller
Laurel, MD 20723 80%32$138,113$525,400$255 cheaper homes ($215K less) · smaller · less walkable
Charlotte, NC 28277 80%325$128,627$560,600$269 cheaper homes ($180K less) · older residents · less walkable
Naperville, IL 60563 80%606$109,783$435,600$271 lower income ($30K less) · cheaper homes ($305K less) · smaller
Lafayette, CO 80026 80%1,478$120,187$705,600$310 cheaper homes ($35K less) · smaller · older residents
Kirkland, WA 98034 80%2,304$135,219$946,300$565 pricier homes ($206K more) · older homes
Franklin, TN 37067 79%556$111,759$756,300$313 lower income ($28K less) · smaller · newer homes
Plano, TX 75093 79%1,158$124,563$670,500$259 cheaper homes ($70K less) · older residents · 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.