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 Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Mission Viejo: median income $141,045, home value $985,100, $674/sq ft, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Kaneohe, HI 96744 95%2,582$131,653$1,039,900$690 pricier homes ($55K more)
Edmonds, WA 98026 92%1,012$133,638$821,700$450 cheaper homes ($163K less)
Mililani, HI 96789 89%2,593$127,066$920,400$602 cheaper homes ($65K less)
Seattle, WA 98155 87%1,006$131,540$816,400$460 cheaper homes ($169K less)
Burlington, MA 01803 83%2,568$146,436$740,600$441 cheaper homes ($245K less) · smaller
Miami, FL 33156 83%2,297$137,076$1,120,100$619 pricier homes ($135K more)
Honolulu, HI 96816 83%2,585$114,609$1,168,800$730 lower income ($26K less) · pricier homes ($184K more) · more renters
Edmonds, WA 98020 83%1,011$130,319$1,031,500$625 pricier homes ($46K more) · smaller · older residents
Belmar, NJ 07719 82%2,426$119,828$700,900$488 cheaper homes ($284K less) · smaller
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 82%2,427$123,152$627,200$556 cheaper homes ($358K less) · smaller
Honolulu, HI 96825 81%2,579$153,210$1,088,700$759 pricier homes ($104K more) · 7 min longer commute
Paramus, NJ 07652 80%2,424$144,349$813,900$504 cheaper homes ($171K less) · smaller · 5 min longer commute
Aiea, HI 96701 80%2,590$111,173$941,600$542 lower income ($30K less) · cheaper homes ($44K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Kailua, HI 96734 80%2,579$132,782$1,367,600$904 pricier homes ($383K more) · younger residents · more renters
Pearl City, HI 96782 80%2,591$108,669$874,200$603 lower income ($32K less) · cheaper homes ($111K less)
Scottsdale, AZ 85254 78%328$123,203$785,700$426 cheaper homes ($199K less)
Renton, WA 98059 78%988$138,654$872,000$451 cheaper homes ($113K less) · younger residents · 6 min longer commute
Mukilteo, WA 98275 78%1,017$132,861$884,900$418 cheaper homes ($100K less) · smaller · newer homes
Westbury, NY 11590 77%2,450$152,960$633,800$516 cheaper homes ($351K less) · older homes
Seattle, WA 98166 77%987$114,969$824,400$420 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($161K less) · smaller
Wayne, NJ 07470 76%2,414$153,056$612,700$382 cheaper homes ($372K less)
Farmingdale, NY 11735 76%2,458$139,443$591,500$501 cheaper homes ($394K less) · 6 min longer commute · older homes
Kenmore, WA 98028 76%1,006$139,764$920,800$474 cheaper homes ($64K less) · smaller · younger residents
Danvers, MA 01923 75%2,581$125,395$644,200$428 cheaper homes ($341K less) · smaller · older homes
Dedham, MA 02026 75%2,570$128,955$661,800$448 cheaper homes ($323K less) · smaller · 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.