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 Sylmar, CA 91342

Sylmar: median income $98,118, home value $695,600, $498/sq ft, 31-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Waipahu, HI 96797 87%2,558$114,654$826,300$635 pricier homes ($131K more)
Kent, WA 98031 85%925$105,965$611,600$349 cheaper homes ($84K less) · smaller
Everett, WA 98208 85%959$103,705$691,500$388 smaller · newer homes
Miami, FL 33157 83%2,343$81,589$547,300$412 cheaper homes ($148K less)
Federal Way, WA 98023 83%921$104,893$589,900$320 cheaper homes ($106K less) · smaller
Everett, WA 98203 83%962$107,376$608,600$359 cheaper homes ($87K less) · smaller
Marysville, WA 98270 81%970$108,147$579,900$362 cheaper homes ($116K less) · smaller · newer homes
Methuen, MA 01844 80%2,585$113,212$499,800$341 cheaper homes ($196K less) · smaller
Brockton, MA 02302 80%2,597$92,274$424,800$366 cheaper homes ($271K less) · smaller · older homes
Hollywood, FL 33024 80%2,337$80,061$409,400$349 cheaper homes ($286K less)
Seattle, WA 98198 80%926$86,239$589,500$361 cheaper homes ($106K less) · smaller · more renters
Pearl City, HI 96782 79%2,555$108,669$874,200$603 pricier homes ($179K more) · smaller · older residents
Lynnwood, WA 98036 79%954$88,958$759,900$437 pricier homes ($64K more) · smaller
Auburn, WA 98001 78%920$106,791$587,400$342 cheaper homes ($108K less) · smaller
Puyallup, WA 98371 78%913$97,242$556,800$323 cheaper homes ($139K less) · smaller
Saugus, MA 01906 77%2,595$101,539$603,400$393 cheaper homes ($92K less) · smaller · older residents
Amityville, NY 11701 77%2,479$117,033$499,500$442 cheaper homes ($196K less) · smaller · older residents
Seattle, WA 98146 77%934$102,520$679,500$451 smaller · older homes
Seattle, WA 98168 77%933$88,083$548,000$369 cheaper homes ($148K less) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Port Orchard, WA 98366 77%940$92,011$475,800$313 cheaper homes ($220K less) · smaller
Lakewood, WA 98498 77%914$91,664$506,300$324 cheaper homes ($189K less) · smaller
Attleboro, MA 02703 76%2,582$99,152$448,800$316 cheaper homes ($247K less) · smaller
Patchogue, NY 11772 76%2,501$105,245$474,800$400 cheaper homes ($221K less) · smaller · less walkable
Miami, FL 33186 76%2,338$93,462$465,400$338 cheaper homes ($230K less)
Waianae, HI 96792 76%2,566$87,509$569,400$441 cheaper homes ($126K less) · smaller · 11 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.