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 Penrose, NC 28766

Penrose: median income $57,708, home value $307,000, $252/sq ft, 21-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Raphine, VA 24472 92%265$51,429$251,000$268 cheaper homes ($56K less) · larger
North Creek, NY 12853 90%743$57,950$214,600$236 cheaper homes ($92K less)
Weston, CO 81091 89%1,242$50,179$351,900$218 pricier homes ($45K more)
Hagerman, ID 83332 87%1,796$64,792$226,200$250 cheaper homes ($81K less) · larger
Milbridge, ME 04658 86%1,008$60,536$240,400$262 cheaper homes ($67K less) · older homes
Panacea, FL 32346 86%376$61,700$267,200$257 cheaper homes ($40K less) · larger
Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539 86%815$62,841$282,200$246 Very close on everything we compare
Backus, MN 56435 86%1,008$62,381$256,800$273 cheaper homes ($50K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Darby, MT 59829 86%1,800$63,650$437,900$315 pricier homes ($131K more) · larger
Oak Hill, FL 32759 85%453$61,671$289,300$229 larger
Rickman, TN 38580 85%166$70,081$246,100$208 cheaper homes ($61K less) · younger residents
Minong, WI 54859 85%891$55,882$225,300$336 cheaper homes ($82K less) · larger
Motley, MN 56466 85%984$61,910$237,100$252 cheaper homes ($70K less) · larger
Noxon, MT 59853 85%1,910$60,417$293,300$309 5 min longer commute · older homes
Plains, MT 59859 85%1,856$64,846$429,200$278 pricier homes ($122K more) · larger
Roach, MO 65787 85%603$62,917$314,500$254 older residents · more single-family homes
Kingston, ID 83839 85%1,921$63,889$384,400$257 pricier homes ($77K more) · more homeowners
Cathlamet, WA 98612 85%2,235$59,583$429,600$318 pricier homes ($123K more) · larger
Kettle Falls, WA 99141 85%2,018$58,302$320,700$201 larger
Asotin, WA 99402 85%1,933$78,906$339,800$197 pricier homes ($33K more)
Craig, AK 99921 85%2,740$64,250$302,900$257 6 min shorter commute
Fryeburg, ME 04037 84%866$54,414$278,200$260 cheaper homes ($29K less) · larger · older homes
Penobscot, ME 04476 84%972$63,194$296,400$280 older homes
Morrill, ME 04952 84%953$67,763$215,700$231 cheaper homes ($91K less) · younger residents · 5 min longer commute
Benzonia, MI 49616 84%671$57,982$221,600$259 cheaper homes ($85K less) · larger · older 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.