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 Salinas, CA 93907

Salinas: median income $104,942, home value $750,100, $484/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Auburn, WA 98001 89%730$106,791$587,400$342 cheaper homes ($163K less)
Marysville, WA 98270 87%782$108,147$579,900$362 cheaper homes ($170K less) · larger · newer homes
Puyallup, WA 98371 87%722$97,242$556,800$323 cheaper homes ($193K less)
Kent, WA 98031 86%735$105,965$611,600$349 cheaper homes ($139K less) · larger · more walkable
Marysville, WA 98271 86%784$95,654$538,400$380 cheaper homes ($212K less) · newer homes
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 85%2,596$112,180$487,300$436 cheaper homes ($263K less) · larger
Kahului, HI 96732 84%2,357$101,739$864,300$640 pricier homes ($114K more) · older residents · 7 min shorter commute
Bellport, NY 11713 83%2,606$108,173$482,800$421 cheaper homes ($267K less) · smaller
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 83%802$109,129$798,900$438 pricier homes ($49K more)
Silverton, OR 97381 83%572$89,383$539,600$313 cheaper homes ($211K less) · smaller
Arlington, WA 98223 83%790$99,681$601,400$389 cheaper homes ($149K less) · larger · newer homes
Patchogue, NY 11772 82%2,604$105,245$474,800$400 cheaper homes ($275K less) · larger
Oregon City, OR 97045 82%595$103,573$587,700$313 cheaper homes ($162K less) · larger
Renton, WA 98058 82%739$115,201$676,000$385 cheaper homes ($74K less) · larger
Everett, WA 98208 82%770$103,705$691,500$388 cheaper homes ($59K less) · larger · more walkable
Everson, WA 98247 81%840$88,724$564,400$356 cheaper homes ($186K less) · smaller · less walkable
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 81%814$93,006$482,500$357 cheaper homes ($268K less) · less walkable
Port Orchard, WA 98366 81%747$92,011$475,800$313 cheaper homes ($274K less)
Bay Shore, NY 11706 80%2,591$119,603$494,300$426 cheaper homes ($256K less) · larger · older homes
Pearl City, HI 96782 80%2,415$108,669$874,200$603 pricier homes ($124K more) · older residents
Wailuku, HI 96793 80%2,358$107,668$832,400$656 pricier homes ($82K more) · 9 min shorter commute
Molalla, OR 97038 80%580$89,564$483,500$314 cheaper homes ($267K less) · smaller
Monroe, WA 98272 80%767$122,352$713,300$396 cheaper homes ($37K less) · 5 min longer commute · more homeowners
North Dartmouth, MA 02747 79%2,695$102,079$484,800$309 cheaper homes ($265K less)
Central Islip, NY 11722 79%2,593$114,049$436,600$400 cheaper homes ($314K 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.