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 Waterville, WA 98858

Waterville: median income $78,669, home value $259,300, $152/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Hardwick, VT 05843 75%2,257$71,818$191,700$231 cheaper homes ($68K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Appleton, NY 14008 74%2,001$77,702$188,700$184 cheaper homes ($71K less) · younger residents · less walkable
West Alexander, PA 15376 74%2,011$86,607$218,900$121 cheaper homes ($40K less) · less walkable · newer homes
Wilson, NY 14172 73%1,993$81,330$196,200$209 cheaper homes ($63K less) · larger · less walkable
Westport, NY 12993 72%2,215$80,139$222,500$194 cheaper homes ($37K less) · less walkable
Middleport, NY 14105 72%2,011$92,405$168,400$121 cheaper homes ($91K less) · larger · younger residents
Tower City, PA 17980 72%2,179$71,210$149,600$121 cheaper homes ($110K less) · larger · younger residents
Woodland, MI 48897 72%1,717$69,531$224,600$204 cheaper homes ($35K less) · younger residents · less walkable
Radcliffe, IA 50230 72%1,342$87,778$165,300$107 cheaper homes ($94K less) · smaller · less walkable
Griswold, IA 51535 72%1,296$76,371$152,300$137 cheaper homes ($107K less) · 7 min shorter commute · less walkable
Le Roy, MN 55951 72%1,351$61,131$168,800$115 cheaper homes ($91K less) · newer homes
New Richland, MN 56072 72%1,296$80,417$205,400$142 cheaper homes ($54K less) · younger residents · less walkable
Cheshire, MA 01225 71%2,275$69,803$268,200$175 larger · more homeowners · newer homes
Burgettstown, PA 15021 71%2,006$75,000$203,800$129 cheaper homes ($56K less) · larger · less walkable
North Apollo, PA 15673 71%2,039$66,629$140,600$119 cheaper homes ($119K less) · smaller · newer homes
Wawaka, IN 46794 71%1,736$63,583$211,000$173 cheaper homes ($48K less) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Clarksville, IA 50619 71%1,364$84,076$163,200$112 cheaper homes ($96K less) · younger residents · less walkable
Clarence, IA 52216 71%1,464$67,857$191,900$102 cheaper homes ($67K less) · younger residents · less walkable
Highgate Center, VT 05459 70%2,216$88,646$291,200$268 pricier homes ($32K more) · younger residents · less walkable
Proctor, VT 05765 70%2,250$73,833$209,200$148 cheaper homes ($50K less) · younger residents · 8 min shorter commute
Mayfield, NY 12117 70%2,209$66,000$208,500$158 cheaper homes ($51K less) · larger · less walkable
Darlington, PA 16115 70%1,991$68,571$185,400$161 cheaper homes ($74K less) · larger · less walkable
Monona, IA 52159 70%1,416$74,259$165,400$110 cheaper homes ($94K less) · younger residents · 5 min shorter commute
Keystone, IA 52249 70%1,407$75,417$163,200$215 cheaper homes ($96K less) · smaller · younger residents
Argyle, WI 53504 70%1,497$83,690$220,700$188 cheaper homes ($39K less) · younger residents · 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.