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 Lopez Island, WA 98261

Lopez Island: median income $80,119, home value $787,800, $760/sq ft, 18-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Highlands, NC 28741 89%2,212$70,392$631,000$625 cheaper homes ($157K less)
Chatham, MA 02633 88%2,570$85,483$946,100$690 pricier homes ($158K more) · larger
Eastham, MA 02642 86%2,564$72,992$732,200$546 cheaper homes ($56K less) · larger
Cambria, CA 93428 82%899$99,762$932,500$691 pricier homes ($145K more) · larger
Orleans, MA 02653 78%2,566$102,813$960,600$503 pricier homes ($173K more) · larger
Orient, NY 11957 77%2,484$94,261$973,700$588 pricier homes ($186K more) · smaller · more homeowners
Edisto Island, SC 29438 76%2,452$86,979$642,400$452 cheaper homes ($145K less) · 7 min longer commute
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 76%1,758$85,787$669,800$386 cheaper homes ($118K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Brewster, MA 02631 75%2,564$102,132$700,500$488 cheaper homes ($87K less) · larger
Saint Michaels, MD 21663 75%2,387$89,775$650,500$438 cheaper homes ($137K less) · younger residents · 5 min longer commute
Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 74%1,205$71,556$545,200$432 cheaper homes ($243K less) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Dennis, MA 02638 73%2,559$108,726$827,900$478 higher income ($29K more) · pricier homes ($40K more)
Mendocino, CA 95460 73%636$73,576$708,200$654 cheaper homes ($80K less) · 11 min longer commute
Harwich Port, MA 02646 72%2,566$81,172$896,000$850 pricier homes ($108K more) · smaller · 9 min longer commute
Osterville, MA 02655 72%2,553$118,750$806,300$571 higher income ($39K more) · younger residents · more homeowners
South Dennis, MA 02660 72%2,561$93,386$559,600$549 cheaper homes ($228K less) · larger
Sedona, AZ 86351 72%1,105$81,203$738,000$432 cheaper homes ($50K less) · larger · older residents
East Quogue, NY 11942 71%2,480$93,710$844,100$675 pricier homes ($56K more) · larger · younger residents
West Dennis, MA 02670 70%2,562$87,019$714,100$603 cheaper homes ($74K less) · smaller · older residents
Nags Head, NC 27959 70%2,526$91,264$490,800$424 cheaper homes ($297K less)
Cotuit, MA 02635 69%2,551$110,197$683,600$490 higher income ($30K more) · cheaper homes ($104K less) · younger residents
Cashiers, NC 28717 69%2,217$76,085$440,000$615 cheaper homes ($348K less) · smaller · newer homes
Bigfork, MT 59911 69%406$83,019$666,400$456 cheaper homes ($121K less) · larger · younger residents
Harpswell, ME 04079 68%2,501$91,969$612,400$500 cheaper homes ($175K less) · 14 min longer commute
Harwich, MA 02645 67%2,566$104,401$648,200$483 cheaper homes ($140K less) · larger · 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.