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 Medford, MA 02155

Medford: median income $129,700, home value $755,500, $496/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Roslindale, MA 02131 89%9$111,006$664,700$517 cheaper homes ($91K less) · smaller
Watertown, MA 02472 86%5$126,336$784,600$507 pricier homes ($29K more) · smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Montclair, NJ 07042 86%195$122,847$821,700$590 pricier homes ($66K more) · smaller
Mamaroneck, NY 10543 86%169$126,417$729,600$560 cheaper homes ($26K less) · smaller · newer homes
Chicago, IL 60618 85%849$106,384$562,700$389 cheaper homes ($193K less)
Waltham, MA 02453 83%7$115,366$705,100$473 cheaper homes ($50K less) · smaller · 7 min shorter commute
Washington, DC 20011 83%391$110,309$723,900$379 cheaper homes ($32K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Arlington, MA 02474 80%2$150,560$933,200$598 pricier homes ($178K more) · smaller
Port Chester, NY 10573 80%164$105,686$662,900$510 cheaper homes ($93K less) · smaller · newer homes
Quincy, MA 02170 79%11$103,627$668,300$487 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($87K less) · smaller
Denver, CO 80211 79%1,764$121,439$807,100$442 pricier homes ($52K more) · smaller · newer homes
Beverly, MA 01915 78%15$104,918$649,700$475 cheaper homes ($106K less) · more single-family homes · newer homes
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 78%7$131,551$822,300$642 pricier homes ($67K more) · smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Bloomfield, NJ 07003 78%194$103,663$470,600$421 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($285K less)
Washington, DC 20017 78%391$106,300$702,600$370 cheaper homes ($53K less) · smaller · more apartments and townhomes
Tarrytown, NY 10591 77%168$104,984$681,000$564 cheaper homes ($75K less) · smaller · older residents
Chicago, IL 60647 77%849$107,060$586,200$403 cheaper homes ($169K less) · more renters · more apartments and townhomes
Washington, DC 20012 76%391$121,418$863,900$421 pricier homes ($108K more) · smaller · older residents
Norwood, MA 02062 75%17$107,030$651,700$432 cheaper homes ($104K less) · smaller · less walkable
Somerville, MA 02145 75%2$123,755$828,600$598 pricier homes ($73K more) · smaller · more renters
Malden, MA 02148 75%3$100,606$633,500$451 lower income ($29K less) · cheaper homes ($122K less) · more renters
Quincy, MA 02171 75%10$106,885$662,900$512 cheaper homes ($93K less) · smaller · older residents
Chicago, IL 60622 75%848$136,277$638,100$414 cheaper homes ($117K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Winthrop, MA 02152 74%7$116,167$649,600$407 cheaper homes ($106K less) · smaller · older residents
Melrose, MA 02176 74%4$133,953$822,900$494 pricier homes ($67K more) · smaller · older 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.

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