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.

Reset

Towns most like Salinas, CA 93908

Salinas: median income $156,394, home value $1,091,700, $549/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
North Bend, WA 98045 92%751$175,765$938,500$494 cheaper homes ($153K less)
Woodinville, WA 98077 91%771$184,306$1,206,400$546 higher income ($28K more) · pricier homes ($115K more)
Carnation, WA 98014 88%763$164,306$940,600$446 cheaper homes ($151K less) · smaller
Southold, NY 11971 84%2,633$129,507$843,300$587 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($248K less) · smaller
Wilmington, MA 01887 83%2,680$168,152$680,500$422 cheaper homes ($411K less) · larger
Hampton Bays, NY 11946 82%2,631$133,918$737,400$659 cheaper homes ($354K less) · 7 min longer commute
Duvall, WA 98019 82%769$161,212$826,600$421 cheaper homes ($265K less) · newer homes
Snohomish, WA 98296 82%778$177,583$927,700$406 cheaper homes ($164K less) · larger · newer homes
Hanover, MA 02339 81%2,701$189,803$755,400$385 higher income ($33K more) · cheaper homes ($336K less)
East Hanover, NJ 07936 81%2,536$149,583$702,800$409 cheaper homes ($389K less)
East Setauket, NY 11733 81%2,599$173,281$683,400$408 cheaper homes ($408K less) · older homes
East Hampton, NY 11937 81%2,647$129,883$1,115,100$875 lower income ($27K less) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33331 81%2,523$142,636$712,000$413 cheaper homes ($380K less) · larger · newer homes
Fall City, WA 98024 81%758$160,641$1,107,100$473 smaller · older residents
Littleton, MA 01460 80%2,665$149,722$658,300$374 cheaper homes ($433K less) · 6 min longer commute
Saint James, NY 11780 80%2,598$144,577$723,200$466 cheaper homes ($369K less) · older residents · more apartments and townhomes
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 80%2,625$125,179$1,054,000$822 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($38K less) · smaller
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33330 80%2,525$145,212$755,800$424 cheaper homes ($336K less) · more homeowners
Lynnfield, MA 01940 79%2,688$173,214$905,400$418 cheaper homes ($186K less) · older homes
Hauppauge, NY 11788 79%2,597$149,726$653,900$414 cheaper homes ($438K less) · older homes
Southampton, NY 11968 79%2,636$156,219$1,326,600$963 pricier homes ($235K more) · older residents
Gig Harbor, WA 98335 79%741$128,592$791,100$401 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($301K less) · larger
North Reading, MA 01864 78%2,684$147,768$710,500$425 cheaper homes ($381K less) · 6 min longer commute · more apartments and townhomes
Miller Place, NY 11764 78%2,606$146,813$615,900$377 cheaper homes ($476K less)
Nesconset, NY 11767 78%2,599$152,985$637,900$407 cheaper homes ($454K less) · 7 min longer commute

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.