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 Federal Way, WA 98023

Federal Way: median income $104,893, home value $589,900, $320/sq ft, 33-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Modesto, CA 95356 95%667$96,886$532,600$278 cheaper homes ($57K less) · smaller
Pompano Beach, FL 33071 94%2,700$106,149$576,700$294 Very close on everything we compare
Newberg, OR 97132 93%141$96,493$522,900$310 cheaper homes ($67K less) · smaller
Oceanside, CA 92057 92%1,007$108,814$743,200$477 pricier homes ($153K more)
Corona, CA 92882 92%963$104,457$690,700$435 pricier homes ($101K more)
Vallejo, CA 94591 92%637$104,550$630,500$352 pricier homes ($41K more)
Vacaville, CA 95687 92%620$109,566$606,300$340 5 min shorter commute
Ontario, CA 91761 91%950$100,578$635,000$385 pricier homes ($45K more)
Yucaipa, CA 92399 91%958$92,440$511,200$334 cheaper homes ($79K less)
Miami, FL 33186 90%2,721$93,462$465,400$338 cheaper homes ($125K less)
Arvada, CO 80003 90%1,005$91,464$534,700$265 cheaper homes ($55K less)
Stockton, CA 95219 90%645$112,268$581,300$270 smaller · 6 min shorter commute
Turlock, CA 95382 90%681$95,282$491,700$308 cheaper homes ($98K less)
Vacaville, CA 95688 90%617$118,186$687,100$379 pricier homes ($97K more)
Gresham, OR 97080 90%126$96,305$502,000$269 cheaper homes ($88K less)
Forest Grove, OR 97116 90%125$92,613$495,800$262 cheaper homes ($94K less) · smaller
Attleboro, MA 02703 89%2,493$99,152$448,800$316 cheaper homes ($141K less) · older homes
Old Bridge, NJ 08857 89%2,401$109,312$486,600$372 cheaper homes ($103K less)
Lanham, MD 20706 89%2,330$104,523$429,000$242 cheaper homes ($161K less) · older homes
Miami, FL 33196 89%2,720$94,961$489,600$328 cheaper homes ($100K less)
Chino, CA 91710 89%950$103,085$686,500$445 pricier homes ($97K more) · larger
Highland, CA 92346 89%949$85,163$499,200$331 cheaper homes ($91K less)
Corona, CA 92879 89%961$92,229$616,300$410 pricier homes ($26K more)
Oakdale, CA 95361 89%663$92,963$516,000$317 cheaper homes ($74K less)
Elk Grove, CA 95758 89%616$117,017$582,000$329 newer homes

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.