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 Signal Hill, CA 90755

Signal Hill: median income $113,512, home value $787,300, $487/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
West Harrison, NY 10604 82%2,461$117,014$735,700$479 cheaper homes ($52K less) · 5 min shorter commute · older homes
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 82%990$107,687$667,100$438 cheaper homes ($120K less) · larger · more walkable
Weymouth, MA 02188 81%2,601$107,335$594,000$396 cheaper homes ($193K less) · older homes
Renton, WA 98056 81%970$113,688$797,300$467 larger · more single-family homes
Avenel, NJ 07001 80%2,435$101,670$401,000$429 cheaper homes ($386K less)
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 80%719$109,129$798,900$438 more homeowners · more single-family homes
Norwalk, CT 06850 79%2,477$123,633$581,200$390 cheaper homes ($206K less) · larger · older homes
Asbury Park, NJ 07712 79%2,448$96,725$616,300$447 cheaper homes ($171K less) · larger
Lynnwood, WA 98037 79%993$107,281$767,300$393 larger · more single-family homes
Seattle, WA 98106 79%973$124,212$706,600$448 cheaper homes ($81K less) · larger · younger residents
Falls Church, VA 22044 78%2,290$101,034$775,600$339 younger residents · older homes
Alexandria, VA 22306 78%2,294$97,132$594,000$343 cheaper homes ($193K less) · larger · younger residents
Tacoma, WA 98466 78%955$101,778$602,400$351 cheaper homes ($185K less) · larger
University Place, WA 98467 78%954$91,354$623,800$326 cheaper homes ($164K less) · more single-family homes
Parlin, NJ 08859 77%2,434$99,882$445,800$372 cheaper homes ($342K less) · larger
Bedford Hills, NY 10507 77%2,463$107,270$638,400$461 cheaper homes ($149K less) · smaller · 7 min longer commute
Glen Cove, NY 11542 77%2,468$93,242$702,400$499 cheaper homes ($85K less) · larger · older homes
Seattle, WA 98148 77%967$87,342$607,900$331 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($179K less) · younger residents
Woburn, MA 01801 76%2,589$111,185$673,500$456 cheaper homes ($114K less) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Norwalk, CT 06851 76%2,478$111,341$587,400$407 cheaper homes ($200K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Sayreville, NJ 08872 76%2,432$97,489$447,200$362 cheaper homes ($340K less) · larger
Alexandria, VA 22309 76%2,293$107,376$567,200$327 cheaper homes ($220K less) · larger · more homeowners
Renton, WA 98055 76%967$97,224$602,800$326 cheaper homes ($185K less) · larger · younger residents
Amesbury, MA 01913 75%2,600$103,554$519,300$385 cheaper homes ($268K less) · larger · more homeowners
Springfield, VA 22150 75%2,289$123,114$635,900$335 cheaper homes ($151K less) · larger · more homeowners

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.