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 Tracy, CA 95304

Tracy: median income $115,007, home value $893,600, $337/sq ft, 33-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Tacoma, WA 98446 78%651$101,938$487,500$285 cheaper homes ($406K less)
Stanwood, WA 98292 77%725$101,765$654,100$338 cheaper homes ($240K less) · larger · more homeowners
Woodland, WA 98674 75%570$94,245$538,000$285 cheaper homes ($356K less) · more homeowners
Puyallup, WA 98374 74%652$112,662$535,300$284 cheaper homes ($358K less) · larger · more walkable
Gypsum, CO 81637 73%789$109,209$616,200$397 cheaper homes ($277K less) · 10 min shorter commute
Arlington, WA 98223 73%723$99,681$601,400$389 cheaper homes ($292K less) · larger · more homeowners
Everson, WA 98247 73%773$88,724$564,400$356 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($329K less) · smaller
Monroe, WA 98272 73%700$122,352$713,300$396 cheaper homes ($180K less) · larger · more homeowners
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 73%747$93,006$482,500$357 cheaper homes ($411K less) · larger · more homeowners
La Center, WA 98629 73%566$106,779$611,200$278 cheaper homes ($282K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Washougal, WA 98671 73%545$111,545$586,100$296 cheaper homes ($308K less) · larger · more homeowners
Sparks, NV 89436 72%160$114,100$588,500$303 cheaper homes ($305K less) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Auburn, WA 98092 72%661$122,300$635,900$324 cheaper homes ($258K less) · larger · more homeowners
Marysville, WA 98271 72%717$95,654$538,400$380 cheaper homes ($355K less) · larger · more walkable
Puyallup, WA 98372 72%656$98,152$589,900$325 cheaper homes ($304K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Puyallup, WA 98375 72%649$117,074$522,100$263 cheaper homes ($372K less) · larger · more homeowners
Marshall, VA 20115 71%2,339$142,981$657,300$273 higher income ($28K more) · cheaper homes ($236K less) · smaller
Olympia, WA 98516 71%652$98,892$572,500$322 cheaper homes ($321K less) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Johnstown, CO 80534 70%902$129,024$553,300$221 cheaper homes ($340K less) · more homeowners
Amity, OR 97101 70%518$99,837$581,500$258 cheaper homes ($312K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Marysville, WA 98270 70%715$108,147$579,900$362 cheaper homes ($314K less) · larger · more walkable
Puyallup, WA 98373 70%651$103,796$565,700$280 cheaper homes ($328K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 69%769$109,129$798,900$438 cheaper homes ($95K less) · more walkable · older homes
Snohomish, WA 98290 69%703$132,973$784,200$407 cheaper homes ($109K less) · larger · more homeowners
Rochester, WA 98579 69%633$99,411$463,400$300 cheaper homes ($430K less) · more homeowners

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.