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 Jamul, CA 91935

Jamul: median income $151,538, home value $902,400, $451/sq ft, 36-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Elbert, CO 80106 85%814$136,852$748,800$295 cheaper homes ($154K less) · smaller
Ravensdale, WA 98051 84%1,045$136,439$790,500$444 cheaper homes ($112K less) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Lakeville, MA 02347 83%2,568$133,984$565,900$358 cheaper homes ($337K less)
Beavercreek, OR 97004 83%918$112,667$721,300$425 lower income ($39K less) · cheaper homes ($181K less) · smaller
Middleton, MA 01949 82%2,564$167,402$742,700$402 cheaper homes ($160K less) · younger residents · 6 min shorter commute
Manorville, NY 11949 82%2,474$138,864$601,600$339 cheaper homes ($301K less) · larger
Jupiter, FL 33478 82%2,220$139,091$699,400$460 cheaper homes ($203K less) · larger
Huntsville, UT 84317 82%654$130,040$762,700$418 cheaper homes ($140K less) · smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Pembroke, MA 02359 81%2,575$146,285$586,500$392 cheaper homes ($316K less) · larger
Mount Sinai, NY 11766 81%2,462$153,235$649,600$354 cheaper homes ($253K less)
Dighton, MA 02715 80%2,558$140,066$489,900$391 cheaper homes ($413K less) · smaller
Miller Place, NY 11764 80%2,463$146,813$615,900$377 cheaper homes ($287K less)
Groveland, MA 01834 79%2,564$141,487$610,900$389 cheaper homes ($292K less) · younger residents
Rochester, MA 02770 79%2,573$120,320$601,200$348 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($301K less) · smaller
Chester, NH 03036 79%2,553$142,212$552,300$298 cheaper homes ($350K less) · smaller
East Moriches, NY 11940 79%2,476$138,639$661,600$432 cheaper homes ($241K less) · smaller · more renters
West Palm Beach, FL 33412 79%2,221$130,225$643,800$379 cheaper homes ($259K less) · larger · newer homes
Carnation, WA 98014 79%1,065$164,306$940,600$446 pricier homes ($38K more) · younger residents · 6 min shorter commute
Longbranch, WA 98351 79%1,048$151,660$752,100$415 cheaper homes ($150K less) · smaller
Olalla, WA 98359 79%1,060$114,091$610,500$388 lower income ($37K less) · cheaper homes ($292K less) · smaller
Sparks, NV 89441 78%505$131,616$642,900$317 cheaper homes ($260K less) · larger · newer homes
Boring, OR 97009 78%927$106,650$647,500$335 lower income ($45K less) · cheaper homes ($255K less)
Gaston, OR 97119 78%942$115,515$629,000$300 lower income ($36K less) · cheaper homes ($273K less) · smaller
Rehoboth, MA 02769 77%2,552$138,214$563,000$323 cheaper homes ($339K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Hampton Bays, NY 11946 77%2,488$133,918$737,400$659 cheaper homes ($165K less) · larger

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.