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 Waikoloa, HI 96738

Waikoloa: median income $80,928, home value $813,800, $637/sq ft, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Durango, CO 81303 81%3,103$88,103$597,300$403 cheaper homes ($217K less)
Silverthorne, CO 80498 79%3,222$105,897$824,200$614 Very close on everything we compare
Driggs, ID 83422 75%3,043$96,530$548,600$486 cheaper homes ($265K less) · smaller · more single-family homes
Yaphank, NY 11980 72%4,966$102,600$450,100$407 cheaper homes ($364K less) · 6 min longer commute
Buellton, CA 93427 72%2,393$102,857$867,500$567 pricier homes ($54K more) · more walkable
Destin, FL 32541 71%4,332$95,124$597,900$391 cheaper homes ($216K less) · larger · more walkable
Gypsum, CO 81637 71%3,181$109,209$616,200$397 higher income ($28K more) · cheaper homes ($198K less) · younger residents
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 69%3,161$109,129$798,900$438 higher income ($28K more) · larger · more walkable
Newhall, CA 91321 68%2,481$91,092$691,600$413 cheaper homes ($122K less) · larger · older homes
Columbia Falls, MT 59912 67%3,025$76,617$488,800$399 cheaper homes ($325K less) · larger · 5 min shorter commute
New Castle, CO 81647 67%3,150$78,352$456,200$380 cheaper homes ($358K less) · younger residents · 5 min longer commute
Calistoga, CA 94515 67%2,360$94,464$824,900$797 older residents · more renters · more walkable
Spring Valley, CA 91978 66%2,545$113,170$637,200$504 higher income ($32K more) · cheaper homes ($177K less) · more walkable
Nipomo, CA 93444 66%2,385$110,867$816,000$507 higher income ($30K more) · larger · more single-family homes
Redwood Valley, CA 95470 66%2,348$76,250$627,500$356 cheaper homes ($186K less) · more single-family homes
Bonsall, CA 92003 65%2,539$113,216$926,700$451 higher income ($32K more) · pricier homes ($113K more) · smaller
San Marcos, CA 92069 65%2,539$96,771$800,700$493 larger · more renters · more walkable
Vista, CA 92081 65%2,535$105,379$838,600$519 larger · more renters · more walkable
Burlington, WA 98233 65%2,706$87,614$502,100$348 cheaper homes ($312K less) · larger · more single-family homes
University Place, WA 98467 65%2,647$91,354$623,800$326 cheaper homes ($190K less) · larger · more walkable
Key Largo, FL 33037 64%4,761$86,533$683,000$582 cheaper homes ($131K less) · larger · older residents
Granby, CO 80446 64%3,241$74,973$642,600$439 cheaper homes ($171K less) · smaller · 12 min shorter commute
Moab, UT 84532 64%3,032$68,444$549,400$392 cheaper homes ($264K less) · 11 min shorter commute · more single-family homes
Mosier, OR 97040 64%2,638$73,250$498,600$625 cheaper homes ($315K less) · smaller · more homeowners
Bellingham, WA 98226 64%2,714$79,375$607,600$376 cheaper homes ($206K less) · larger · 7 min shorter commute

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.