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 Markleeville, CA 96120

Markleeville: median income $100,417, home value $603,100, $185/sq ft, 35-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Hawi, HI 96719 87%2,492$79,471$612,100— older residents
Inkom, ID 83245 86%484$93,005$449,000$176 cheaper homes ($154K less) · larger · 5 min shorter commute
Midland, VA 22728 85%2,252$120,789$516,300$262 cheaper homes ($87K less) · larger
Knoxville, MD 21758 84%2,242$111,528$424,600$189 cheaper homes ($179K less) · larger
Woodsboro, MD 21798 84%2,258$116,607$498,400$198 cheaper homes ($105K less) · larger
Randolph, MN 55065 84%1,433$119,667$407,100$238 cheaper homes ($196K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Cleveland, MO 64734 84%1,357$88,274$393,900$233 cheaper homes ($209K less) · larger
Keymar, MD 21757 83%2,258$100,500$466,100$238 cheaper homes ($137K less) · larger · older homes
Brooks, GA 30205 83%1,998$105,700$491,800$209 cheaper homes ($111K less) · larger · older residents
Henefer, UT 84033 83%468$94,038$463,700$298 cheaper homes ($139K less) · newer homes
Freeland, MD 21053 82%2,286$89,497$408,300$238 cheaper homes ($195K less) · larger · older residents
Middletown, VA 22645 82%2,214$90,875$419,900$219 cheaper homes ($183K less) · larger
Raymond, NE 68428 82%1,228$115,000$385,600$198 cheaper homes ($218K less) · older residents
Lake Helen, FL 32744 81%2,296$112,599$453,700$238 cheaper homes ($149K less) · larger
Stanchfield, MN 55080 81%1,434$101,964$355,900$235 cheaper homes ($247K less) · larger
Andover, NH 03216 80%2,488$88,311$358,800$194 cheaper homes ($244K less) · larger · older residents
Salisbury Mills, NY 12577 80%2,394$124,028$469,800$249 cheaper homes ($133K less) · older residents
Montpelier, VA 23192 80%2,266$110,642$428,700$233 cheaper homes ($174K less) · larger
Eagleville, TN 37060 80%1,828$97,386$490,800$271 cheaper homes ($112K less) · larger · newer homes
Scandia, MN 55073 80%1,449$128,723$462,400$249 higher income ($28K more) · cheaper homes ($141K less) · larger
Mesa, CO 81643 80%630$106,813$605,300$287 newer homes
Sanbornton, NH 03269 79%2,495$107,083$450,000$319 cheaper homes ($153K less) · larger
Henderson, MN 56044 79%1,388$101,250$333,600$143 cheaper homes ($270K less) · larger
Firth, NE 68358 79%1,238$111,705$434,300$221 cheaper homes ($169K less) · newer homes
Deary, ID 83823 79%580$78,345$409,300$225 cheaper homes ($194K less) · older residents

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.