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 San Jose, CA 95123

San Jose: median income $144,276, home value $1,166,800, $788/sq ft, 28-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Kailua, HI 96734 86%2,405$132,782$1,367,600$904 pricier homes ($201K more)
Kirkland, WA 98034 85%724$135,219$946,300$565 cheaper homes ($221K less)
Mililani, HI 96789 80%2,417$127,066$920,400$602 cheaper homes ($246K less) · more homeowners
Kaneohe, HI 96744 78%2,407$131,653$1,039,900$690 cheaper homes ($127K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Seattle, WA 98118 78%712$113,762$810,500$480 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($356K less)
Honolulu, HI 96816 77%2,412$114,609$1,168,800$730 lower income ($30K less) · older residents · 6 min shorter commute
Miami, FL 33156 76%2,552$137,076$1,120,100$619 cheaper homes ($47K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Seattle, WA 98106 76%711$124,212$706,600$448 cheaper homes ($460K less) · smaller
Renton, WA 98056 75%709$113,688$797,300$467 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($370K less) · smaller
Aiea, HI 96701 74%2,415$111,173$941,600$542 lower income ($33K less) · cheaper homes ($225K less) · smaller
Falls Church, VA 22042 73%2,407$138,255$715,800$426 cheaper homes ($451K less) · smaller · older homes
Waipahu, HI 96797 73%2,419$114,654$826,300$635 lower income ($30K less) · cheaper homes ($341K less)
Pearl City, HI 96782 72%2,416$108,669$874,200$603 lower income ($36K less) · cheaper homes ($293K less) · smaller
Edmonds, WA 98026 72%732$133,638$821,700$450 cheaper homes ($345K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Seattle, WA 98155 72%727$131,540$816,400$460 cheaper homes ($350K less) · smaller · more single-family homes
Bothell, WA 98011 71%726$131,667$933,000$486 cheaper homes ($234K less) · smaller · newer homes
Seattle, WA 98126 71%712$116,466$783,700$525 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($383K less) · smaller
Woburn, MA 01801 70%2,672$111,185$673,500$456 lower income ($33K less) · cheaper homes ($493K less) · smaller
Waltham, MA 02451 70%2,668$122,335$753,000$487 cheaper homes ($414K less) · smaller
Seattle, WA 98116 70%714$126,151$973,400$612 cheaper homes ($193K less) · smaller
Harrison, NY 10528 68%2,560$154,416$937,500$598 cheaper homes ($229K less) · smaller · 6 min longer commute
Miami, FL 33133 68%2,554$103,420$1,022,400$923 lower income ($41K less) · cheaper homes ($144K less) · smaller
Kenmore, WA 98028 68%726$139,764$920,800$474 cheaper homes ($246K less) · smaller · less walkable
Lynnwood, WA 98037 67%732$107,281$767,300$393 lower income ($37K less) · cheaper homes ($400K less) · smaller
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 67%729$107,687$667,100$438 lower income ($37K less) · cheaper homes ($500K less) · smaller

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.