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 Portland, OR 97231

Portland: median income $137,527, home value $858,200, $268/sq ft, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Afton, MN 55001 91%1,452$133,581$673,900$243 cheaper homes ($184K less)
Hollis, NH 03049 90%2,504$168,883$675,900$286 higher income ($31K more) · cheaper homes ($182K less) · larger
Charlotte, VT 05445 90%2,387$144,375$695,300$377 cheaper homes ($163K less)
Boylston, MA 01505 88%2,508$140,962$578,600$343 cheaper homes ($280K less)
East Sandwich, MA 02537 88%2,585$136,506$639,500$405 cheaper homes ($219K less)
Long Lake, MN 55356 87%1,414$156,622$707,800$295 cheaper homes ($150K less) · younger residents
Lyons, CO 80540 87%959$139,521$795,500$371 cheaper homes ($63K less) · 7 min longer commute
Monkton, MD 21111 86%2,355$136,304$607,200$235 cheaper homes ($251K less) · 6 min longer commute
Byfield, MA 01922 85%2,533$142,207$804,900$375 cheaper homes ($53K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Pipersville, PA 18947 85%2,401$140,783$615,000$302 cheaper homes ($243K less) · larger · younger residents
Sedalia, CO 80135 85%1,003$136,083$880,500$312 8 min longer commute
South Hero, VT 05486 84%2,376$126,513$544,700$237 cheaper homes ($314K less) · smaller
Bridgewater, CT 06752 84%2,453$159,365$693,000$335 cheaper homes ($165K less) · smaller
Ringoes, NJ 08551 84%2,414$162,617$595,800$314 higher income ($25K more) · cheaper homes ($262K less) · 5 min longer commute
Richboro, PA 18954 84%2,412$159,857$626,700$265 cheaper homes ($232K less) · larger
Crownsville, MD 21032 84%2,371$168,653$682,100$286 higher income ($31K more) · cheaper homes ($176K less) · larger
Keswick, VA 22947 84%2,318$136,250$789,200$259 cheaper homes ($69K less) · newer homes
Rowley, MA 01969 83%2,536$132,734$667,300$375 cheaper homes ($191K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Auburn, NH 03032 83%2,508$153,253$600,300$294 cheaper homes ($258K less) · younger residents
Hampton Falls, NH 03844 83%2,531$165,509$764,900$354 higher income ($28K more) · cheaper homes ($93K less) · smaller
North Yarmouth, ME 04097 83%2,539$129,267$496,500$340 cheaper homes ($362K less)
Kingsville, MD 21087 83%2,367$129,188$534,300$229 cheaper homes ($324K less)
Earlysville, VA 22936 83%2,308$142,338$589,400$251 cheaper homes ($269K less) · larger · younger residents
Wayne, IL 60184 83%1,730$163,750$642,700$239 higher income ($26K more) · cheaper homes ($216K less) · smaller
Mattapoisett, MA 02739 82%2,569$130,241$681,600$430 cheaper homes ($177K less) · larger · 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.