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 El Cajon, CA 92019

El Cajon: median income $101,973, home value $801,400, $520/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Pearl City, HI 96782 94%2,626$108,669$874,200$603 pricier homes ($73K more)
Everett, WA 98208 92%1,080$103,705$691,500$388 cheaper homes ($110K less)
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 91%709$109,129$798,900$438 smaller
Kent, WA 98031 89%1,047$105,965$611,600$349 cheaper homes ($190K less)
Lynnwood, WA 98036 89%1,075$88,958$759,900$437 cheaper homes ($42K less)
Aiea, HI 96701 88%2,625$111,173$941,600$542 pricier homes ($140K more)
Lynnwood, WA 98037 88%1,078$107,281$767,300$393 cheaper homes ($34K less) · smaller
Everett, WA 98203 88%1,084$107,376$608,600$359 cheaper homes ($193K less)
Waipahu, HI 96797 87%2,629$114,654$826,300$635 larger
Seattle, WA 98146 87%1,056$102,520$679,500$451 cheaper homes ($122K less) · smaller · older homes
Renton, WA 98058 86%1,050$115,201$676,000$385 cheaper homes ($125K less)
Renton, WA 98056 85%1,054$113,688$797,300$467 more renters
Amityville, NY 11701 84%2,444$117,033$499,500$442 cheaper homes ($302K less) · smaller · older homes
Miami, FL 33176 84%2,247$86,354$638,900$426 cheaper homes ($163K less)
Wailuku, HI 96793 84%2,558$107,668$832,400$656 pricier homes ($31K more) · 6 min shorter commute · less walkable
Oregon City, OR 97045 84%919$103,573$587,700$313 cheaper homes ($214K less)
Federal Way, WA 98023 84%1,044$104,893$589,900$320 cheaper homes ($212K less) · 5 min longer commute
Peabody, MA 01960 83%2,569$96,501$596,700$406 cheaper homes ($205K less) · older homes
Kahului, HI 96732 82%2,557$101,739$864,300$640 pricier homes ($63K more) · smaller · less walkable
Mililani, HI 96789 82%2,628$127,066$920,400$602 higher income ($25K more) · pricier homes ($119K more)
Auburn, WA 98001 82%1,042$106,791$587,400$342 cheaper homes ($214K less)
Puyallup, WA 98371 82%1,036$97,242$556,800$323 cheaper homes ($245K less) · smaller
Patchogue, NY 11772 81%2,467$105,245$474,800$400 cheaper homes ($327K less) · older homes
Kailua Kona, HI 96740 81%2,568$95,542$760,600$627 cheaper homes ($41K less) · 6 min shorter commute · less walkable
Canby, OR 97013 81%915$101,832$562,300$317 cheaper homes ($239K less) · smaller

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.