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 Papaikou, HI 96781

Papaikou: median income $96,400, home value $828,500, $746/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Bow, WA 98232 85%2,690$104,559$782,200$529 cheaper homes ($46K less) · larger
Banner, WY 82832 77%3,240$94,375$895,100$452 pricier homes ($67K more) · younger residents · newer homes
Aromas, CA 95004 76%2,335$130,744$877,300$600 higher income ($34K more) · pricier homes ($49K more) · larger
Mount Hood Parkdale, OR 97041 76%2,603$82,679$705,600$416 cheaper homes ($123K less) · larger
Collbran, CO 81624 73%3,095$91,739$472,600$431 cheaper homes ($356K less)
Washoe Valley, NV 89704 72%2,488$118,017$680,000$446 cheaper homes ($149K less) · larger · older residents
Beavercreek, OR 97004 72%2,558$112,667$721,300$425 cheaper homes ($107K less) · larger · 9 min longer commute
Trout Lake, WA 98650 72%2,624$76,607$730,300$404 cheaper homes ($98K less) · smaller · newer homes
New Meadows, ID 83654 71%2,814$91,750$534,600$403 cheaper homes ($294K less) · newer homes
Applegate, CA 95703 71%2,422$100,214$603,900$351 cheaper homes ($225K less) · 6 min longer commute
Washington Depot, CT 06794 70%4,905$96,979$733,100$431 cheaper homes ($95K less) · smaller
Semora, NC 27343 70%4,657$79,931$518,800$465 cheaper homes ($310K less) · smaller · 7 min longer commute
Donnelly, ID 83615 70%2,815$74,732$731,800$594 cheaper homes ($97K less) · newer homes
Oak View, CA 93022 70%2,406$110,405$816,800$601 larger · more walkable
Herald, CA 95638 70%2,395$91,500$713,600$369 cheaper homes ($115K less) · 9 min longer commute
Mattituck, NY 11952 69%4,954$120,139$764,300$531 cheaper homes ($64K less) · larger · more walkable
North Garden, VA 22959 69%4,667$95,461$548,800$414 cheaper homes ($280K less) · newer homes
Sagle, ID 83860 69%2,904$71,563$597,500$482 cheaper homes ($231K less) · larger · newer homes
Pescadero, CA 94060 69%2,306$127,973$1,401,500$838 higher income ($32K more) · pricier homes ($573K more) · younger residents
Newcastle, CA 95658 68%2,412$126,581$837,700$450 higher income ($30K more) · larger
Tavernier, FL 33070 67%4,718$75,436$732,800$797 cheaper homes ($96K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Forestville, CA 95436 67%2,314$109,531$739,600$591 cheaper homes ($89K less) · larger · younger residents
Kennebunkport, ME 04046 66%5,026$102,529$586,100$434 cheaper homes ($242K less) · larger
Brookhaven, NY 11719 66%4,938$126,250$658,700$410 higher income ($30K more) · cheaper homes ($170K less) · larger
East Quogue, NY 11942 66%4,953$93,710$844,100$675 larger · older residents · 6 min longer commute

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.