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 Deary, ID 83823

Deary: median income $78,345, home value $409,300, $225/sq ft, 36-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Andover, NH 03216 95%2,164$88,311$358,800$194 cheaper homes ($51K less)
Darlington, MD 21034 93%2,064$78,047$401,500$218 larger
Zumbro Falls, MN 55991 92%1,175$82,292$350,000$270 cheaper homes ($59K less)
East Waterboro, ME 04030 91%2,210$72,548$348,400$274 cheaper homes ($61K less) · larger
Eastford, CT 06242 91%2,192$89,250$353,100$223 cheaper homes ($56K less)
Freeland, MD 21053 91%2,039$89,497$408,300$238 larger
Vader, WA 98593 91%307$84,244$343,800$273 cheaper homes ($66K less)
Cleveland, MO 64734 90%1,241$88,274$393,900$233 Very close on everything we compare
Spring City, UT 84662 90%567$73,295$374,400$177 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Effingham, NH 03882 89%2,194$76,607$322,700$294 cheaper homes ($87K less)
Pleasant Mount, PA 18453 89%2,041$85,110$325,000$260 cheaper homes ($84K less)
Singers Glen, VA 22850 89%1,972$91,583$311,700$237 cheaper homes ($98K less)
Alberton, MT 59820 89%97$69,091$367,400$285 cheaper homes ($42K less) · newer homes
Richards, TX 77873 89%1,570$80,938$285,000$198 cheaper homes ($124K less)
Temple, NH 03084 88%2,177$94,107$401,000$293 Very close on everything we compare
Steep Falls, ME 04085 88%2,208$92,246$288,600$253 cheaper homes ($121K less) · larger
West Burke, VT 05871 88%2,125$74,572$277,900$209 cheaper homes ($131K less)
Wilmington, NY 12997 88%2,045$82,344$322,600$331 cheaper homes ($87K less)
Topping, VA 23169 88%2,121$71,964$247,900$264 cheaper homes ($161K less)
Moncure, NC 27559 88%2,070$74,490$385,000$233 older residents · newer homes
Blanchardville, WI 53516 88%1,329$85,324$306,600$157 cheaper homes ($103K less)
Merrimac, WI 53561 88%1,326$91,103$427,600$251 6 min shorter commute
Beldenville, WI 54003 88%1,164$94,352$343,900$175 cheaper homes ($65K less)
Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849 88%1,171$80,714$261,000$219 cheaper homes ($148K less)
Taylors Falls, MN 55084 88%1,139$94,297$318,500$276 cheaper homes ($91K less)

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.