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 University Place, WA 98467

University Place: median income $91,354, home value $623,800, $326/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Sayreville, NJ 08872 91%2,409$97,489$447,200$362 cheaper homes ($177K less)
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 90%929$109,129$798,900$438 pricier homes ($175K more)
Garnerville, NY 10923 89%2,401$100,469$471,400$332 cheaper homes ($152K less) · smaller · older homes
Ayer, MA 01432 88%2,472$101,966$463,800$344 cheaper homes ($160K less) · smaller
Plainville, MA 02762 88%2,500$104,106$476,000$337 cheaper homes ($148K less) · smaller
Budd Lake, NJ 07828 88%2,377$103,320$457,700$325 cheaper homes ($166K less)
Hatfield, PA 19440 88%2,370$99,408$438,500$258 cheaper homes ($185K less)
Warrenton, VA 20186 88%2,304$97,801$523,400$258 cheaper homes ($100K less)
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 88%2,466$89,185$452,700$340 cheaper homes ($171K less) · larger · 6 min shorter commute
Pompano Beach, FL 33071 88%2,707$106,149$576,700$294 cheaper homes ($47K less) · larger
Boca Raton, FL 33428 88%2,705$88,543$466,900$312 cheaper homes ($157K less) · larger
Grand Terrace, CA 92313 88%950$83,628$517,600$344 cheaper homes ($106K less)
Beaverton, OR 97078 88%121$90,606$478,800$318 cheaper homes ($145K less) · larger
Marlborough, MA 01752 87%2,480$91,968$513,100$303 cheaper homes ($111K less) · larger
Denver, CO 80227 87%1,017$90,316$559,200$266 cheaper homes ($65K less) · larger
Denver, CO 80234 87%1,010$92,563$530,300$237 cheaper homes ($94K less) · larger
Cotati, CA 94931 87%613$101,994$820,000$454 pricier homes ($196K more) · smaller
Happy Valley, OR 97086 87%122$102,359$697,400$285 pricier homes ($74K more) · larger · newer homes
Forest Grove, OR 97116 87%115$92,613$495,800$262 cheaper homes ($128K less) · larger · younger residents
Newhall, CA 91321 86%911$91,092$691,600$413 pricier homes ($68K more) · larger
Newberg, OR 97132 86%132$96,493$522,900$310 cheaper homes ($101K less) · larger · more walkable
Amesbury, MA 01913 85%2,493$103,554$519,300$385 cheaper homes ($105K less) · older homes
Miami, FL 33176 85%2,731$86,354$638,900$426 larger
Silverton, OR 97381 85%153$89,383$539,600$313 cheaper homes ($84K less) · more single-family homes
Hudson, MA 01749 84%2,478$103,400$496,800$357 cheaper homes ($127K less) · more homeowners · older 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.