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 Lynnwood, WA 98037

Lynnwood: median income $107,281, home value $767,300, $393/sq ft, 29-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Pompano Beach, FL 33071 93%2,708$106,149$576,700$294 cheaper homes ($191K less)
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 93%940$109,129$798,900$438 pricier homes ($32K more) · smaller
Springfield, VA 22150 92%2,316$123,114$635,900$335 cheaper homes ($131K less)
Cotati, CA 94931 91%658$101,994$820,000$454 pricier homes ($53K more) · smaller
Rocklin, CA 95677 91%628$105,713$654,200$349 cheaper homes ($113K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Escondido, CA 92026 90%1,050$104,561$714,300$468 cheaper homes ($53K less) · larger · less walkable
Oceanside, CA 92056 90%1,045$106,272$773,200$555 larger
Oceanside, CA 92057 90%1,041$108,814$743,200$477 larger
Vista, CA 92084 90%1,044$98,577$824,400$470 pricier homes ($57K more) · larger
Stockton, CA 95219 90%681$112,268$581,300$270 cheaper homes ($186K less)
Chatsworth, CA 91311 89%958$119,386$876,400$464 pricier homes ($109K more)
West Covina, CA 91792 89%981$94,817$696,200$489 cheaper homes ($71K less)
San Marcos, CA 92069 89%1,050$96,771$800,700$493 pricier homes ($33K more) · larger
Vista, CA 92081 89%1,047$105,379$838,600$519 pricier homes ($71K more)
Roseville, CA 95661 89%631$105,925$687,800$366 cheaper homes ($80K less) · older residents · 6 min shorter commute
Sacramento, CA 95831 89%647$100,751$642,700$346 cheaper homes ($125K less)
Newberg, OR 97132 89%178$96,493$522,900$310 cheaper homes ($244K less)
Miami, FL 33176 88%2,732$86,354$638,900$426 cheaper homes ($128K less) · larger
Covina, CA 91724 88%977$103,163$782,700$494 older homes
El Cajon, CA 92019 88%1,078$101,973$801,400$520 pricier homes ($34K more) · larger
San Dimas, CA 91773 87%977$105,338$800,700$515 pricier homes ($33K more) · older residents
Ventura, CA 93004 87%951$114,012$800,900$505 pricier homes ($34K more) · 6 min shorter commute
Roseville, CA 95678 87%629$100,554$570,600$348 cheaper homes ($197K less) · larger · 5 min shorter commute
Valencia, CA 91355 86%948$115,640$806,200$472 pricier homes ($39K more) · older residents · less walkable
Santee, CA 92071 86%1,072$113,618$728,900$526 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger

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.