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 Chula Vista, CA 91913

Chula Vista: median income $129,337, home value $812,200, $458/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Kapolei, HI 96707 91%2,630$119,940$808,300$598 Very close on everything we compare
Ewa Beach, HI 96706 86%2,626$129,456$830,100$637 Very close on everything we compare
Bothell, WA 98012 86%1,084$146,144$876,600$437 pricier homes ($64K more)
Renton, WA 98059 84%1,061$138,654$872,000$451 pricier homes ($60K more) · more single-family homes · older homes
Renton, WA 98056 82%1,062$113,688$797,300$467 smaller · more renters · older homes
Mililani, HI 96789 81%2,623$127,066$920,400$602 pricier homes ($108K more) · older residents · older homes
Lynnwood, WA 98037 81%1,085$107,281$767,300$393 cheaper homes ($45K less) · smaller · older homes
Auburn, WA 98092 81%1,046$122,300$635,900$324 cheaper homes ($176K less) · less walkable
Lynnwood, WA 98087 80%1,086$106,693$676,400$396 cheaper homes ($136K less) · more renters
Everett, WA 98208 80%1,088$103,705$691,500$388 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($121K less) · older homes
Seattle, WA 98106 79%1,066$124,212$706,600$448 cheaper homes ($106K less) · smaller · older homes
Jupiter, FL 33458 78%2,234$109,729$604,500$391 cheaper homes ($208K less) · older residents · 6 min shorter commute
Pompano Beach, FL 33071 77%2,242$106,149$576,700$294 cheaper homes ($236K less) · older homes
Draper, UT 84020 77%612$128,910$784,800$253 cheaper homes ($27K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Happy Valley, OR 97086 77%932$102,359$697,400$285 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($115K less) · smaller
Lorton, VA 22079 76%2,254$148,134$637,600$316 cheaper homes ($175K less) · smaller
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 76%718$109,129$798,900$438 smaller · older homes
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33323 75%2,241$113,481$482,200$334 cheaper homes ($330K less) · smaller · older residents
Beaverton, OR 97007 75%938$123,533$608,800$288 cheaper homes ($203K less) · older residents · older homes
Bothell, WA 98011 75%1,078$131,667$933,000$486 pricier homes ($121K more) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Mukilteo, WA 98275 75%1,091$132,861$884,900$418 pricier homes ($73K more) · smaller · older residents
Pompano Beach, FL 33067 74%2,242$131,216$745,700$351 cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller · older residents
Gilbert, AZ 85295 74%307$118,467$579,500$262 cheaper homes ($233K less) · more single-family homes
Centreville, VA 20120 73%2,239$152,563$648,700$317 cheaper homes ($164K less) · older homes
Herndon, VA 20170 73%2,244$159,466$647,200$326 higher income ($30K more) · cheaper homes ($165K less) · older homes

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.