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 Lakeside, CA 92040

Lakeside: median income $107,937, home value $723,200, $496/sq ft, 25-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Pearl City, HI 96782 91%2,627$108,669$874,200$603 pricier homes ($151K more)
Everett, WA 98208 88%1,075$103,705$691,500$388 cheaper homes ($32K less)
Amityville, NY 11701 87%2,442$117,033$499,500$442 cheaper homes ($224K less) · smaller
Everett, WA 98203 86%1,078$107,376$608,600$359 cheaper homes ($115K less) · more walkable
Methuen, MA 01844 85%2,555$113,212$499,800$341 cheaper homes ($223K less)
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 85%706$109,129$798,900$438 pricier homes ($76K more) · smaller
Wailuku, HI 96793 85%2,558$107,668$832,400$656 pricier homes ($109K more)
Waipahu, HI 96797 85%2,630$114,654$826,300$635 pricier homes ($103K more) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Kent, WA 98031 85%1,041$105,965$611,600$349 cheaper homes ($112K less) · 6 min longer commute
Peabody, MA 01960 84%2,567$96,501$596,700$406 cheaper homes ($127K less) · older residents · older homes
Aiea, HI 96701 84%2,625$111,173$941,600$542 pricier homes ($218K more) · older residents
Honolulu, HI 96819 83%2,623$99,848$954,600$477 pricier homes ($231K more) · more renters
Patchogue, NY 11772 82%2,464$105,245$474,800$400 cheaper homes ($248K less) · 6 min longer commute
Kahului, HI 96732 82%2,557$101,739$864,300$640 pricier homes ($141K more) · smaller · more single-family homes
Oregon City, OR 97045 82%913$103,573$587,700$313 cheaper homes ($136K less)
Lynnwood, WA 98037 82%1,072$107,281$767,300$393 pricier homes ($44K more) · smaller · more walkable
Seattle, WA 98146 82%1,051$102,520$679,500$451 cheaper homes ($44K less) · smaller · more walkable
Bay Shore, NY 11706 81%2,451$119,603$494,300$426 cheaper homes ($229K less) · older homes
Kailua Kona, HI 96740 81%2,569$95,542$760,600$627 pricier homes ($37K more) · older residents · less walkable
Lakewood, WA 98498 81%1,031$91,664$506,300$324 cheaper homes ($217K less) · smaller
Neptune, NJ 07753 80%2,408$95,712$425,800$371 cheaper homes ($297K less)
Renton, WA 98058 80%1,044$115,201$676,000$385 cheaper homes ($47K less) · 7 min longer commute
Puyallup, WA 98371 80%1,031$97,242$556,800$323 cheaper homes ($166K less) · smaller · 7 min longer commute
Attleboro, MA 02703 79%2,550$99,152$448,800$316 cheaper homes ($274K less) · 6 min longer commute
Sterling, VA 20164 79%2,234$135,660$544,300$320 higher income ($28K more) · cheaper homes ($179K less)

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.