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 Spring Valley, NY 10977

Spring Valley: median income $74,451, home value $649,700, $403/sq ft, 25-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Riverside, CA 92507 86%2,397$75,303$536,900$358 cheaper homes ($113K less)
Wahiawa, HI 96786 85%4,953$85,554$807,900$511 pricier homes ($158K more) · smaller · more renters
Ontario, CA 91764 82%2,409$81,762$565,800$456 cheaper homes ($84K less) · older residents · 6 min longer commute
Dallas, TX 75220 81%1,377$69,843$500,200$388 cheaper homes ($150K less) · smaller · older residents
El Cajon, CA 92021 80%2,410$74,013$611,900$483 cheaper homes ($38K less) · older residents
Paramount, CA 90723 76%2,442$75,250$533,700$510 cheaper homes ($116K less) · older residents · more walkable
El Cajon, CA 92020 76%2,413$76,032$813,100$522 pricier homes ($163K more) · older residents
Vista, CA 92083 76%2,415$86,974$658,200$528 smaller · older residents
Anaheim, CA 92802 76%2,432$84,419$790,600$546 pricier homes ($141K more) · smaller · older residents
San Diego, CA 92105 75%2,421$68,563$635,600$595 older residents · more renters · more walkable
Santa Maria, CA 93458 75%2,533$75,257$511,800$408 cheaper homes ($138K less) · more single-family homes · more walkable
Salinas, CA 93905 75%2,544$80,126$616,100$479 cheaper homes ($34K less) · more single-family homes · more walkable
Kent, WA 98032 75%2,387$82,636$520,800$327 cheaper homes ($129K less) · smaller · older residents
Oceanside, CA 92058 74%2,422$69,970$670,200$520 more renters · newer homes
Concord, CA 94520 74%2,534$82,479$601,000$468 cheaper homes ($49K less) · smaller · older residents
Rohnert Park, CA 94928 74%2,558$99,280$666,000$413 smaller · older residents
Lodi, CA 95240 74%2,490$82,137$472,100$339 cheaper homes ($178K less) · older residents · more single-family homes
Vancouver, WA 98661 74%2,422$76,913$451,500$289 cheaper homes ($198K less) · older residents
Gardena, CA 90247 73%2,449$77,333$659,100$453 smaller · older residents · more walkable
Long Beach, CA 90805 73%2,444$73,415$606,000$536 cheaper homes ($44K less) · older residents · 6 min longer commute
Escondido, CA 92025 73%2,409$81,106$827,900$479 pricier homes ($178K more) · older residents · more walkable
Fontana, CA 92335 73%2,400$77,949$462,400$407 cheaper homes ($187K less) · older residents · 6 min longer commute
Santa Maria, CA 93454 73%2,530$81,522$525,000$402 cheaper homes ($125K less) · smaller · older residents
Santa Rosa, CA 95407 73%2,559$82,863$627,100$442 smaller · older residents · more single-family homes
Anaheim, CA 92805 72%2,431$91,252$736,600$541 pricier homes ($87K more) · older residents · more 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.