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 Goldston, NC 27252

Goldston: median income $50,435, home value $171,600, $189/sq ft, 29-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Mikado, MI 48745 97%659$49,844$157,800$187 Very close on everything we compare
Alum Bank, PA 15521 94%322$53,947$209,700$158 pricier homes ($38K more)
Bitely, MI 49309 93%662$42,566$151,600$214 Very close on everything we compare
Falmouth, MI 49632 93%671$46,696$151,000$171 Very close on everything we compare
Mc Millan, MI 49853 93%812$54,563$166,400$214 Very close on everything we compare
Edwards, MO 65326 93%784$51,888$181,100$203 older residents
Addison, ME 04606 92%874$50,524$163,500$191 Very close on everything we compare
North Anson, ME 04958 92%812$55,089$156,300$177 younger residents
Atlanta, MI 49709 92%699$51,154$153,900$166 larger
Kosse, TX 76653 92%1,037$48,500$150,200$190 Very close on everything we compare
East Concord, NY 14055 91%484$51,089$203,300$200 pricier homes ($32K more)
Westover, MD 21871 91%265$50,524$185,900$189 older residents
Eagle Rock, VA 24085 91%148$53,633$133,700$175 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger
Volga, WV 26238 91%247$47,951$133,000$172 cheaper homes ($39K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Merrillan, WI 54754 91%861$58,125$170,200$208 Very close on everything we compare
Everton, AR 72633 91%761$45,385$154,000$138 Very close on everything we compare
Winslow, AR 72959 91%829$51,923$197,000$182 pricier homes ($25K more) · larger
Phillips, ME 04966 90%796$47,969$176,500$208 Very close on everything we compare
Hale, MI 48739 90%654$52,802$179,400$153 larger
Spring Church, PA 15686 89%349$49,977$227,100$182 pricier homes ($56K more)
Lupton, MI 48635 89%658$57,500$150,300$128 Very close on everything we compare
Barryton, MI 49305 89%644$51,875$148,100$138 larger
Mecosta, MI 49332 89%642$59,509$182,300$237 larger
Lachine, MI 49753 89%695$57,292$152,800$131 Very close on everything we compare
Argonne, WI 54511 89%858$66,719$172,700$189 Very close on everything we compare

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.