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 92692

Mission Viejo: median income $131,175, home value $1,037,300, $636/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Mililani, HI 96789 90%2,594$127,066$920,400$602 cheaper homes ($117K less)
Edmonds, WA 98026 89%1,012$133,638$821,700$450 cheaper homes ($216K less)
Miami, FL 33156 86%2,296$137,076$1,120,100$619 pricier homes ($83K more) · older homes
Scottsdale, AZ 85254 86%327$123,203$785,700$426 cheaper homes ($252K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Kaneohe, HI 96744 86%2,583$131,653$1,039,900$690 older homes
Edmonds, WA 98020 86%1,011$130,319$1,031,500$625 smaller · older residents · older homes
Mukilteo, WA 98275 86%1,018$132,861$884,900$418 cheaper homes ($152K less) · smaller
Honolulu, HI 96825 85%2,580$153,210$1,088,700$759 pricier homes ($51K more) · smaller
Carbondale, CO 81623 84%698$109,661$913,300$681 cheaper homes ($124K less) · smaller
Kenmore, WA 98028 84%1,006$139,764$920,800$474 cheaper homes ($117K less) · smaller · younger residents
Renton, WA 98059 84%988$138,654$872,000$451 cheaper homes ($165K less) · younger residents
Burlington, MA 01803 83%2,567$146,436$740,600$441 cheaper homes ($297K less) · smaller · older homes
Seattle, WA 98155 83%1,007$131,540$816,400$460 cheaper homes ($221K less) · younger residents · older homes
Belmar, NJ 07719 81%2,425$119,828$700,900$488 cheaper homes ($336K less) · smaller · older homes
Reno, NV 89511 80%418$124,130$916,600$484 cheaper homes ($121K less) · smaller · 7 min shorter commute
Woodinville, WA 98072 80%1,005$175,805$1,122,200$544 higher income ($45K more) · pricier homes ($85K more) · smaller
Pompano Beach, FL 33067 79%2,282$131,216$745,700$351 cheaper homes ($292K less) · smaller
Gig Harbor, WA 98335 79%980$128,592$791,100$401 cheaper homes ($246K less) · smaller · less walkable
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 78%2,426$123,152$627,200$556 cheaper homes ($410K less) · smaller · older homes
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33331 77%2,281$142,636$712,000$413 cheaper homes ($325K less) · smaller
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 77%331$140,616$1,036,800$526 older residents · less walkable · newer homes
Aiea, HI 96701 77%2,591$111,173$941,600$542 cheaper homes ($96K less) · more apartments and townhomes
Issaquah, WA 98027 77%986$153,301$996,600$507 cheaper homes ($41K less) · smaller · younger residents
Scottsdale, AZ 85259 76%334$137,895$1,011,200$421 cheaper homes ($26K less) · smaller · older residents
Kailua, HI 96734 76%2,580$132,782$1,367,600$904 pricier homes ($330K more) · younger residents · more renters

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.