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 Malaga, WA 98828

Malaga: median income $70,197, home value $437,600, $294/sq ft, 24-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Frenchtown, MT 59834 88%280$94,406$449,500$307 Very close on everything we compare
Firestone, CO 80520 88%910$63,529$449,400— smaller · older residents
Atglen, PA 19310 86%2,238$82,371$315,700$231 cheaper homes ($122K less) · larger
Marsing, ID 83639 86%310$64,042$461,900$289 larger · more renters
La Verkin, UT 84745 84%784$68,269$393,300$236 cheaper homes ($44K less) · larger · more renters
Deep Gap, NC 28618 83%2,111$59,653$338,400$281 cheaper homes ($99K less) · more renters
Arlee, MT 59821 83%288$66,458$375,200$312 cheaper homes ($62K less) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Ranchester, WY 82839 83%646$57,708$385,900$324 cheaper homes ($52K less) · older residents · more renters
Wilder, ID 83676 83%301$67,176$362,100$280 cheaper homes ($76K less) · larger
Gervais, OR 97026 83%201$90,461$395,400$274 cheaper homes ($42K less) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Audubon, MN 56511 82%1,135$89,875$401,900$261 cheaper homes ($36K less) · older residents
Donald, OR 97020 82%194$80,729$351,500$302 cheaper homes ($86K less) · smaller
Harrisburg, OR 97446 81%256$78,229$339,300$289 cheaper homes ($98K less) · larger · older homes
Rydal, GA 30171 80%2,037$73,409$365,000$224 cheaper homes ($73K less) · larger · 7 min longer commute
Gilbertsville, KY 42044 80%1,771$57,333$271,400$242 cheaper homes ($166K less) · larger
Brussels, WI 54204 80%1,561$79,803$379,800$299 cheaper homes ($58K less) · older residents · older homes
Ault, CO 80610 80%898$92,153$424,800$283 larger · 8 min longer commute
Olathe, CO 81425 80%863$73,682$343,400$306 cheaper homes ($94K less) · larger · more renters
Pinedale, WY 82941 80%592$91,429$345,700$265 cheaper homes ($92K less) · larger
Fort Mcdowell, AZ 85264 80%1,048$60,729$369,200$369 cheaper homes ($68K less) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Culver, OR 97734 80%205$82,429$346,500$271 cheaper homes ($91K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Jefferson, ME 04348 79%2,409$78,929$286,300$226 cheaper homes ($151K less) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Richfield, NC 28137 79%2,197$67,163$252,700$215 cheaper homes ($185K less)
Fort Pierce, FL 34945 79%2,540$87,568$345,700$198 cheaper homes ($92K less) · larger
Grawn, MI 49637 79%1,653$75,000$237,100$275 cheaper homes ($201K less) · larger

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.