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.

Reset

Towns most like Boxford, MA 01921

Boxford: median income $200,672, home value $904,200, $357/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
South Salem, NY 10590 95%163$211,734$795,600$409 cheaper homes ($109K less)
West Newbury, MA 01985 94%8$179,500$808,200$387 cheaper homes ($96K less) · smaller
Easton, CT 06612 91%153$222,604$783,100$323 cheaper homes ($121K less)
Redding, CT 06896 91%156$186,060$706,300$335 cheaper homes ($198K less) · 5 min longer commute
Towaco, NJ 07082 90%210$205,023$702,900$410 cheaper homes ($201K less)
Colts Neck, NJ 07722 90%232$198,994$917,200$474 more walkable
Califon, NJ 07830 90%239$180,852$656,400$297 cheaper homes ($248K less)
Chester, NJ 07930 90%230$240,954$771,200$361 higher income ($40K more) · cheaper homes ($133K less)
Harvard, MA 01451 89%31$214,792$856,200$349 cheaper homes ($48K less) · smaller · younger residents
Duxbury, MA 02332 89%47$176,583$874,600$459 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger
Clifton, VA 20124 89%428$221,060$884,800$300 larger
Brookeville, MD 20833 88%397$204,375$797,100$284 cheaper homes ($107K less) · more walkable
Warren, NJ 07059 87%229$212,479$921,500$440 larger
Millington, NJ 07946 87%228$208,587$801,700$417 cheaper homes ($103K less) · smaller · younger residents
Phoenix, MD 21131 87%364$197,619$686,000$226 cheaper homes ($218K less)
Groton, MA 01450 86%28$193,292$743,400$325 cheaper homes ($161K less) · younger residents
Stow, MA 01775 86%31$185,809$729,600$339 cheaper homes ($175K less) · younger residents
Kendall Park, NJ 08824 86%241$174,776$628,000$360 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($276K less) · larger
Washington Crossing, PA 18977 86%260$211,719$736,200$324 cheaper homes ($168K less) · smaller · older residents
Davidsonville, MD 21035 86%392$188,347$831,500$273 cheaper homes ($73K less)
Evergreen, CO 80439 86%1,786$156,218$900,300$369 lower income ($44K less) · larger
Southborough, MA 01772 85%38$201,568$841,700$354 cheaper homes ($63K less) · younger residents · more walkable
Highland, MD 20777 85%394$226,146$861,900$282 higher income ($25K more) · cheaper homes ($42K less) · smaller
Dayton, MD 21036 85%393$218,036$881,300$264 smaller
Topsfield, MA 01983 84%4$195,718$853,400$402 cheaper homes ($51K less) · younger residents

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.

From OfferBacked · Free

Get matched with a local agent.

Buying or selling around Columbus, OH? Tell us what you need and when. No agents advertise here yet, so we’ll keep your request for up to 30 days and send it to local agents who join. No obligation, and you choose who to work with.

Get matched