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 95136

San Jose: median income $142,433, home value $1,144,000, $706/sq ft, 29-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Kirkland, WA 98034 88%722$135,219$946,300$565 cheaper homes ($198K less)
Bothell, WA 98011 82%724$131,667$933,000$486 cheaper homes ($211K less) · smaller · newer homes
Seattle, WA 98106 81%710$124,212$706,600$448 cheaper homes ($437K less) · smaller
Renton, WA 98056 79%708$113,688$797,300$467 lower income ($29K less) · cheaper homes ($347K less)
Kailua, HI 96734 78%2,404$132,782$1,367,600$904 pricier homes ($224K more) · more single-family homes
Mililani, HI 96789 78%2,417$127,066$920,400$602 cheaper homes ($224K less) · older residents · more homeowners
Seattle, WA 98116 78%713$126,151$973,400$612 cheaper homes ($171K less) · smaller
Seattle, WA 98118 77%710$113,762$810,500$480 lower income ($29K less) · cheaper homes ($334K less) · more single-family homes
Miami, FL 33156 75%2,554$137,076$1,120,100$619 older residents · more homeowners
Harrison, NY 10528 74%2,560$154,416$937,500$598 cheaper homes ($207K less) · smaller · older homes
Miami, FL 33133 74%2,555$103,420$1,022,400$923 lower income ($39K less) · cheaper homes ($122K less)
Woburn, MA 01801 73%2,672$111,185$673,500$456 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($471K less) · older homes
Falls Church, VA 22042 73%2,407$138,255$715,800$426 cheaper homes ($428K less) · older homes
Falls Church, VA 22043 73%2,407$145,881$881,600$456 cheaper homes ($262K less) · smaller
Seattle, WA 98126 73%711$116,466$783,700$525 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($360K less) · smaller
Waltham, MA 02451 72%2,668$122,335$753,000$487 cheaper homes ($391K less) · smaller · older homes
Aiea, HI 96701 72%2,415$111,173$941,600$542 lower income ($31K less) · cheaper homes ($202K less) · older residents
Kenmore, WA 98028 72%725$139,764$920,800$474 cheaper homes ($223K less) · smaller · more single-family homes
Bellevue, WA 98005 71%715$160,849$1,519,500$613 pricier homes ($376K more) · smaller · 7 min shorter commute
Lynnwood, WA 98037 71%731$107,281$767,300$393 lower income ($35K less) · cheaper homes ($377K less) · smaller
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 71%728$107,687$667,100$438 lower income ($35K less) · cheaper homes ($477K less) · smaller
Seattle, WA 98125 71%722$99,868$874,300$489 lower income ($43K less) · cheaper homes ($270K less) · more renters
Kapolei, HI 96707 70%2,424$119,940$808,300$598 cheaper homes ($336K less) · more homeowners · newer homes
Waipahu, HI 96797 70%2,418$114,654$826,300$635 lower income ($28K less) · cheaper homes ($318K less) · larger
Waltham, MA 02452 69%2,670$118,431$808,300$429 cheaper homes ($336K less) · smaller · 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.