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 Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Maggie Valley: median income $69,057, home value $313,500, $292/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Walker, MN 56484 96%995$67,019$311,200$272 Very close on everything we compare
Hancock, ME 04640 94%999$71,699$269,100$292 cheaper homes ($44K less) · smaller
Townsend, TN 37882 93%39$69,012$344,500$315 pricier homes ($31K more)
Cedaredge, CO 81413 93%1,382$58,465$355,800$245 pricier homes ($42K more)
Bethel, ME 04217 92%893$61,125$329,700$274 younger residents
Rocky Mount, MO 65072 92%564$78,750$335,700$286 smaller
Casco, ME 04015 91%885$69,313$355,500$316 pricier homes ($42K more) · younger residents
Swanton, MD 21561 91%345$73,858$328,700$295 smaller
Morganton, GA 30560 91%77$66,016$321,300$271 Very close on everything we compare
Iron River, WI 54847 91%878$68,795$266,600$236 cheaper homes ($47K less) · smaller
Custer, SD 57730 91%1,215$83,469$378,800$279 pricier homes ($65K more)
Bokeelia, FL 33922 90%615$71,164$355,800$269 pricier homes ($42K more) · more apartments and townhomes
Minocqua, WI 54548 90%795$69,569$336,400$288 6 min shorter commute
Nevis, MN 56467 90%995$74,297$318,000$263 Very close on everything we compare
Sheridan, MT 59749 90%1,663$80,238$382,400$332 pricier homes ($69K more) · smaller
Gravois Mills, MO 65037 90%570$66,360$284,100$256 cheaper homes ($29K less)
Llano, TX 78643 90%956$68,365$362,600$239 pricier homes ($49K more) · larger
Mancos, CO 81328 90%1,403$72,522$412,700$293 pricier homes ($99K more)
Wiscasset, ME 04578 89%921$81,063$327,400$234 younger residents
Clarksville, VA 23927 89%265$70,938$295,500$198 Very close on everything we compare
Hiawassee, GA 30546 89%56$59,234$295,000$248 larger
Lakemont, GA 30552 89%55$66,316$354,700$390 pricier homes ($41K more) · smaller
Indian River, MI 49749 89%689$65,608$244,300$234 cheaper homes ($69K less)
Hackensack, MN 56452 89%987$62,941$352,700$300 pricier homes ($39K more) · smaller
Cascade, MT 59421 89%1,678$78,125$377,900$267 pricier homes ($64K more) · smaller

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.