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 San Jose, CA 95122

San Jose: median income $103,549, home value $872,900, $747/sq ft, 27-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Honolulu, HI 96819 85%2,415$99,848$954,600$477 pricier homes ($82K more)
Waipahu, HI 96797 81%2,420$114,654$826,300$635 cheaper homes ($47K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Pearl City, HI 96782 76%2,418$108,669$874,200$603 older residents · more homeowners · less walkable
Seattle, WA 98168 73%702$88,083$548,000$369 cheaper homes ($325K less)
Seattle, WA 98108 71%706$95,780$720,400$423 cheaper homes ($153K less) · smaller
Seattle, WA 98146 70%703$102,520$679,500$451 cheaper homes ($193K less) · smaller
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 69%723$107,687$667,100$438 cheaper homes ($206K less) · smaller
Seattle, WA 98198 69%696$86,239$589,500$361 cheaper homes ($283K less)
Hempstead, NY 11550 68%2,566$92,677$465,100$460 cheaper homes ($408K less) · 6 min longer commute · older homes
Lynnwood, WA 98036 67%724$88,958$759,900$437 cheaper homes ($113K less) · newer homes
Lynnwood, WA 98037 67%727$107,281$767,300$393 cheaper homes ($106K less) · smaller · newer homes
Renton, WA 98056 67%703$113,688$797,300$467 cheaper homes ($76K less) · newer homes
Everett, WA 98203 66%734$107,376$608,600$359 cheaper homes ($264K less) · more homeowners
Woburn, MA 01801 65%2,669$111,185$673,500$456 cheaper homes ($199K less)
Aiea, HI 96701 65%2,417$111,173$941,600$542 pricier homes ($69K more) · older residents · more homeowners
Linden, NJ 07036 64%2,534$91,882$417,900$463 cheaper homes ($455K less) · older homes
Glen Cove, NY 11542 64%2,564$93,242$702,400$499 cheaper homes ($171K less) · smaller · older residents
Kent, WA 98030 64%695$91,761$582,400$319 cheaper homes ($291K less) · newer homes
Key West, FL 33040 63%2,510$86,586$819,400$824 cheaper homes ($54K less) · older residents · 12 min shorter commute
Everett, WA 98208 63%730$103,705$691,500$388 cheaper homes ($181K less) · more homeowners · newer homes
Peabody, MA 01960 62%2,679$96,501$596,700$406 cheaper homes ($276K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Amityville, NY 11701 62%2,577$117,033$499,500$442 cheaper homes ($373K less) · smaller · older residents
Miami, FL 33155 62%2,550$81,158$581,700$490 cheaper homes ($291K less) · older residents · older homes
Miami, FL 33176 62%2,550$86,354$638,900$426 cheaper homes ($234K less)
Kent, WA 98031 62%695$105,965$611,600$349 cheaper homes ($261K less) · more homeowners · newer 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.