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 Nordland, WA 98358

Nordland: median income $110,368, home value $756,000, $430/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Grand Lake, CO 80447 83%991$96,000$632,400$444 cheaper homes ($124K less) · larger · younger residents
Kure Beach, NC 28449 81%2,486$107,563$759,700$410 larger · younger residents · less walkable
Tybee Island, GA 31328 79%2,436$109,631$619,800$427 cheaper homes ($136K less) · larger · less walkable
Tabernash, CO 80478 79%1,002$105,801$1,008,600$507 pricier homes ($253K more) · less walkable
Rough And Ready, CA 95975 78%614$103,216$652,600$292 cheaper homes ($103K less) · younger residents · less walkable
Pocasset, MA 02559 76%2,538$90,855$625,400$413 cheaper homes ($131K less) · larger · older homes
Powell Butte, OR 97753 73%275$158,125$754,800$503 higher income ($48K more) · larger · newer homes
Nags Head, NC 27959 72%2,516$91,264$490,800$424 cheaper homes ($265K less) · larger · 8 min shorter commute
Corolla, NC 27927 71%2,490$120,568$714,700$351 cheaper homes ($41K less) · 8 min shorter commute · less walkable
Empire, MI 49630 71%1,745$106,375$497,600$336 cheaper homes ($258K less) · less walkable
Fontana, WI 53125 71%1,687$112,500$593,800$434 cheaper homes ($162K less) · larger · younger residents
Meadow Vista, CA 95722 71%630$125,625$697,800$369 cheaper homes ($58K less) · larger · less walkable
Cotuit, MA 02635 70%2,548$110,197$683,600$490 cheaper homes ($72K less) · larger · younger residents
Dennis, MA 02638 70%2,556$108,726$827,900$478 pricier homes ($72K more) · larger · 9 min shorter commute
Sagamore Beach, MA 02562 69%2,539$120,000$591,000$498 cheaper homes ($165K less) · larger · younger residents
Center Harbor, NH 03226 69%2,436$107,500$462,800$290 cheaper homes ($293K less) · 6 min shorter commute · less walkable
Longport, NJ 08403 69%2,438$110,625$1,054,900$817 pricier homes ($299K more) · older homes
Kewadin, MI 49648 69%1,770$93,272$633,500$414 cheaper homes ($123K less) · larger · less walkable
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 68%2,505$120,662$677,600$403 cheaper homes ($78K less) · larger · younger residents
Emerald Isle, NC 28594 68%2,499$89,773$603,700$474 cheaper homes ($152K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Big Pine Key, FL 33043 68%2,760$110,491$638,000$651 cheaper homes ($118K less) · larger · younger residents
Round Top, TX 78954 68%1,851$103,750$427,300$399 cheaper homes ($329K less) · less walkable
Ogunquit, ME 03907 67%2,489$114,259$875,700$595 pricier homes ($120K more) · less walkable · older homes
Edisto Island, SC 29438 67%2,438$86,979$642,400$452 cheaper homes ($114K less) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Harpswell, ME 04079 66%2,501$91,969$612,400$500 cheaper homes ($144K less) · larger · less walkable

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.