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 Bellevue, WA 98007

Bellevue: median income $131,109, home value $1,018,100, $543/sq ft, 23-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Irvine, CA 92614 91%989$122,821$1,076,700$822 pricier homes ($59K more)
Austin, TX 78704 88%1,763$106,897$916,100$507 cheaper homes ($102K less) · larger
San Diego, CA 92110 87%1,058$110,790$1,006,800$631 Very close on everything we compare
San Diego, CA 92122 86%1,052$105,177$1,046,300$742 lower income ($26K less) · pricier homes ($28K more) · larger
Irvine, CA 92606 86%988$135,598$1,141,100$788 pricier homes ($123K more) · newer homes
Emeryville, CA 94608 86%676$120,239$849,600$508 cheaper homes ($169K less) · 6 min longer commute
Tampa, FL 33606 85%2,518$120,729$845,600$551 cheaper homes ($173K less) · newer homes
San Jose, CA 95126 84%711$128,983$1,214,300$744 pricier homes ($196K more)
Arlington, VA 22203 82%2,310$140,135$826,800$511 cheaper homes ($191K less) · newer homes
Alexandria, VA 22305 81%2,314$113,537$864,500$521 cheaper homes ($154K less) · smaller · older homes
San Diego, CA 92103 81%1,060$102,626$1,061,200$755 lower income ($28K less) · pricier homes ($43K more) · older residents
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 81%671$135,635$1,277,800$653 pricier homes ($260K more) · 9 min longer commute
Washington, DC 20001 80%2,314$138,059$852,600$552 cheaper homes ($166K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Walnut Creek, CA 94597 80%670$132,063$1,026,800$597 older residents · 9 min longer commute
Fairfax, VA 22031 79%2,304$134,577$723,600$356 cheaper homes ($295K less) · 6 min longer commute · more homeowners
San Diego, CA 92109 79%1,056$122,128$1,226,900$1,117 pricier homes ($209K more) · larger
San Diego, CA 92124 79%1,056$120,201$918,500$578 cheaper homes ($100K less) · more single-family homes · less walkable
Irvine, CA 92612 79%990$106,226$993,800$750 more apartments and townhomes · newer homes
Arlington, VA 22204 78%2,312$107,941$688,000$418 cheaper homes ($330K less) · larger · older homes
Denver, CO 80206 78%1,014$101,594$915,400$427 lower income ($30K less) · cheaper homes ($103K less) · older homes
Denver, CO 80209 78%1,014$125,733$1,018,300$513 older residents · more homeowners · more single-family homes
Arlington, VA 22202 77%2,313$133,762$899,000$453 cheaper homes ($119K less) · more renters
Denver, CO 80205 77%1,012$104,836$649,300$391 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($369K less)
Los Angeles, CA 90025 77%957$103,894$1,079,700$699 lower income ($27K less) · pricier homes ($62K more) · larger
North Hollywood, CA 91602 77%951$102,914$1,055,900$636 lower income ($28K less) · pricier homes ($38K more) · older 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.