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 Boston, GA 31626

Boston: median income $52,026, home value $200,000, $184/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Parksley, VA 23421 91%670$52,759$188,500$181 Very close on everything we compare
Kirbyville, MO 65679 90%669$48,442$182,900$172 6 min longer commute
Ash, NC 28420 89%383$53,935$198,100$187 more homeowners
Vienna, MO 65582 89%690$60,278$172,600$152 cheaper homes ($27K less) · smaller
Garrison, TX 75946 89%637$58,177$151,800— cheaper homes ($48K less) · younger residents
Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 88%170$48,921$179,700$172 larger
Seminole, AL 36574 88%219$50,915$223,500$198 smaller
Melfa, VA 23410 87%660$54,050$195,100$193 older homes
Thurmond, NC 28683 87%419$45,423$176,600$230 smaller · more homeowners
Hollywood, AL 35752 87%300$58,977$162,300$147 cheaper homes ($38K less) · younger residents
Cedar Bluff, AL 35959 87%261$52,356$234,500$246 pricier homes ($35K more) · larger · more homeowners
Bean Station, TN 37708 87%384$42,152$168,900$206 cheaper homes ($31K less) · larger
New Tazewell, TN 37825 87%390$49,625$165,400$148 cheaper homes ($35K less) · larger
Mead, OK 73449 87%775$52,338$143,700$150 cheaper homes ($56K less) · more homeowners
Grantsboro, NC 28529 86%499$65,060$162,300$187 cheaper homes ($38K less) · smaller
Millers Creek, NC 28651 86%403$61,623$175,300$199 larger · more homeowners
Big Sandy, TN 38221 86%449$52,714$139,100$174 cheaper homes ($61K less)
Onamia, MN 56359 86%1,183$59,457$232,200$223 pricier homes ($32K more)
Crescent, OK 73028 86%871$56,372$154,900$160 cheaper homes ($45K less) · older homes
Arp, TX 75750 86%671$50,948$172,300$181 cheaper homes ($28K less) · more homeowners
Ramah, NM 87321 86%1,459$49,313$124,100$197 cheaper homes ($76K less)
Richmondville, NY 12149 85%964$50,608$169,500$219 cheaper homes ($31K less)
Grantsville, MD 21536 85%667$64,205$201,300$165 more homeowners
Seale, AL 36875 85%132$55,896$186,200$146 more homeowners
Caryville, TN 37714 85%382$56,172$227,600$164 pricier homes ($28K more) · more homeowners

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.