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 Novato, CA 94949

Novato: median income $120,758, home value $1,150,500, $576/sq ft, 29-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Aiea, HI 96701 87%2,395$111,173$941,600$542 cheaper homes ($209K less) · larger
Carbondale, CO 81623 85%831$109,661$913,300$681 cheaper homes ($237K less) · newer homes
Mukilteo, WA 98275 83%681$132,861$884,900$418 cheaper homes ($266K less)
Mililani, HI 96789 80%2,397$127,066$920,400$602 cheaper homes ($230K less) · larger · younger residents
Edmonds, WA 98020 80%673$130,319$1,031,500$625 cheaper homes ($119K less) · more single-family homes
Miami, FL 33156 79%2,597$137,076$1,120,100$619 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger · younger residents
Pearl City, HI 96782 78%2,396$108,669$874,200$603 cheaper homes ($276K less) · larger
Edmonds, WA 98026 78%675$133,638$821,700$450 cheaper homes ($329K less) · larger · more single-family homes
Kenmore, WA 98028 78%670$139,764$920,800$474 cheaper homes ($230K less) · younger residents
Waltham, MA 02451 77%2,681$122,335$753,000$487 cheaper homes ($398K less) · younger residents · older homes
Belmar, NJ 07719 77%2,570$119,828$700,900$488 cheaper homes ($450K less) · more single-family homes · older homes
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 77%825$109,129$798,900$438 cheaper homes ($352K less) · younger residents
Honolulu, HI 96816 77%2,393$114,609$1,168,800$730 larger · 6 min shorter commute · older homes
Bothell, WA 98011 77%670$131,667$933,000$486 cheaper homes ($218K less) · larger · younger residents
Renton, WA 98056 77%653$113,688$797,300$467 cheaper homes ($353K less) · larger · younger residents
Danvers, MA 01923 76%2,694$125,395$644,200$428 cheaper homes ($506K less) · larger · older homes
Stoneham, MA 02180 76%2,687$113,964$671,900$437 cheaper homes ($479K less) · younger residents · older homes
Kirkland, WA 98034 75%667$135,219$946,300$565 cheaper homes ($204K less) · larger · younger residents
Seattle, WA 98166 75%649$114,969$824,400$420 cheaper homes ($326K less) · more single-family homes · older homes
Tacoma, WA 98407 75%637$110,288$656,600$414 cheaper homes ($494K less) · more single-family homes
Norwalk, CT 06851 74%2,590$111,341$587,400$407 cheaper homes ($563K less) · larger · older homes
Florham Park, NJ 07932 74%2,544$156,458$791,100$530 higher income ($36K more) · cheaper homes ($359K less)
Annapolis, MD 21403 74%2,464$123,329$582,500$366 cheaper homes ($568K less) · larger
Honolulu, HI 96825 74%2,387$153,210$1,088,700$759 higher income ($32K more) · cheaper homes ($62K less) · larger
Seattle, WA 98106 74%655$124,212$706,600$448 cheaper homes ($444K less) · larger · younger residents

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.