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 Otis Orchards, WA 99027

Otis Orchards: median income $74,718, home value $444,500, $228/sq ft, 22-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Gold Hill, OR 97525 92%467$72,025$450,200$246 Very close on everything we compare
Aitkin, MN 56431 88%1,103$67,828$295,400$213 cheaper homes ($149K less) · larger
Oakhurst, CA 93644 88%727$81,196$396,300$250 cheaper homes ($48K less) · younger residents
Tuolumne, CA 95379 88%691$74,230$416,000$266 cheaper homes ($29K less) · smaller
Eagle River, WI 54521 87%1,316$74,071$305,100$257 cheaper homes ($139K less)
Centre Hall, PA 16828 86%1,985$76,468$273,800$192 cheaper homes ($171K less)
Hardy, VA 24101 86%2,011$87,112$314,500$232 cheaper homes ($130K less) · newer homes
Cropwell, AL 35054 86%1,871$77,929$347,700$211 cheaper homes ($97K less) · newer homes
Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 86%989$79,475$298,800$226 cheaper homes ($146K less) · 5 min longer commute
Victor, MT 59875 86%165$63,036$525,500$297 pricier homes ($81K more) · smaller · newer homes
Goode, VA 24556 85%2,024$87,250$399,000$204 cheaper homes ($46K less) · smaller
Elkhart Lake, WI 53020 85%1,420$89,155$330,900$248 cheaper homes ($114K less) · smaller
Spring Green, WI 53588 85%1,340$83,417$292,300$232 cheaper homes ($152K less) · smaller
Plains, MT 59859 85%105$64,846$429,200$278 newer homes
Orofino, ID 83544 85%93$69,458$292,700$198 cheaper homes ($152K less) · younger residents
Bernardston, MA 01337 84%2,165$85,045$338,800$233 cheaper homes ($106K less) · smaller
Belmont, NH 03220 84%2,194$68,242$316,200$280 cheaper homes ($128K less) · younger residents
Wiscasset, ME 04578 84%2,261$81,063$327,400$234 cheaper homes ($117K less)
Bokeelia, FL 33922 84%2,379$71,164$355,800$269 cheaper homes ($89K less)
Amery, WI 54001 84%1,181$80,344$286,800$200 cheaper homes ($158K less) · 6 min longer commute
Hilbert, WI 54129 84%1,403$67,381$279,700$208 cheaper homes ($165K less) · smaller
Custer, SD 57730 84%716$83,469$378,800$279 cheaper homes ($66K less)
Big Timber, MT 59011 84%362$78,000$328,100$211 cheaper homes ($116K less) · smaller · younger residents
Joliet, MT 59041 84%414$80,500$411,700$189 cheaper homes ($33K less) · smaller · younger residents
Cascade, MT 59421 84%253$78,125$377,900$267 cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller · 7 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.