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 Alpine, CA 91901

Alpine: median income $114,167, home value $852,000, $456/sq ft, 32-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Ramona, CA 92065 93%15$125,285$800,100$394 cheaper homes ($52K less) · larger
Nipomo, CA 93444 93%263$110,867$816,000$507 cheaper homes ($36K less) · 5 min shorter commute
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 90%103$122,334$878,400$459 pricier homes ($26K more)
Fallbrook, CA 92028 90%46$111,290$842,500$426 larger
Salinas, CA 93907 89%389$104,942$750,100$484 cheaper homes ($102K less)
Enumclaw, WA 98022 89%1,035$120,406$608,500$352 cheaper homes ($244K less)
Snohomish, WA 98290 89%1,077$132,973$784,200$407 cheaper homes ($68K less) · larger
Valley Center, CA 92082 88%33$126,544$833,600$416 more homeowners
American Canyon, CA 94503 88%481$121,088$697,400$385 cheaper homes ($155K less) · younger residents
Monroe, WA 98272 88%1,073$122,352$713,300$396 cheaper homes ($139K less) · larger
Stanwood, WA 98292 88%1,102$101,765$654,100$338 cheaper homes ($198K less) · larger
Shingle Springs, CA 95682 87%466$122,436$722,800$332 cheaper homes ($129K less) · larger
Tacoma, WA 98422 87%1,042$118,604$663,800$358 cheaper homes ($188K less)
Ripon, CA 95366 86%420$112,097$707,800$373 cheaper homes ($144K less) · 6 min shorter commute
Castaic, CA 91384 85%157$131,689$767,300$406 cheaper homes ($85K less) · younger residents
Bonita, CA 91902 85%19$122,524$984,900$532 pricier homes ($133K more) · 6 min shorter commute
Bonsall, CA 92003 85%41$113,216$926,700$451 pricier homes ($75K more) · smaller
Paso Robles, CA 93446 85%298$97,943$707,500$431 cheaper homes ($145K less) · larger
Auburn, WA 98001 84%1,041$106,791$587,400$342 cheaper homes ($265K less) · larger
Bridgewater, MA 02324 83%2,559$112,726$533,600$318 cheaper homes ($318K less)
Holtsville, NY 11742 83%2,453$125,162$510,200$394 cheaper homes ($342K less)
East Moriches, NY 11940 83%2,469$138,639$661,600$432 cheaper homes ($190K less) · smaller
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 83%700$109,129$798,900$438 cheaper homes ($53K less)
Santa Clarita, CA 91350 83%150$140,110$801,300$427 higher income ($26K more) · cheaper homes ($51K less) · larger
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701 83%103$114,244$795,300$474 cheaper homes ($57K less) · larger · more walkable

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.

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