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 Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Santa Ynez: median income $114,139, home value $1,205,900, $677/sq ft, 26-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Kalaheo, HI 96741 89%2,537$110,873$953,200$696 cheaper homes ($253K less) · more homeowners
Penngrove, CA 94951 86%292$106,332$1,207,000$543 smaller
Bonita, CA 91902 85%221$122,524$984,900$532 cheaper homes ($221K less) · larger
Makawao, HI 96768 85%2,397$100,391$946,700$814 cheaper homes ($259K less) · larger
Soquel, CA 95073 83%195$118,169$1,062,800$699 cheaper homes ($143K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Holualoa, HI 96725 83%2,419$93,346$880,000$586 cheaper homes ($326K less) · less walkable
Oak View, CA 93022 81%47$110,405$816,800$601 cheaper homes ($389K less) · older homes
Aromas, CA 95004 81%179$130,744$877,300$600 cheaper homes ($329K less) · less walkable
Bonsall, CA 92003 80%189$113,216$926,700$451 cheaper homes ($279K less)
Kilauea, HI 96754 80%2,520$90,353$1,227,600$927 more homeowners
The Plains, VA 20198 79%2,340$106,518$933,000$521 cheaper homes ($273K less) · smaller
Templeton, CA 93465 79%74$129,259$870,100$579 cheaper homes ($336K less) · larger · newer homes
Santa Cruz, CA 95065 79%197$153,222$1,228,500$674 higher income ($39K more)
Healdsburg, CA 95448 79%316$105,120$1,048,300$701 cheaper homes ($158K less) · larger · 7 min shorter commute
Haiku, HI 96708 79%2,393$100,664$1,105,400$844 cheaper homes ($101K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Nipomo, CA 93444 78%37$110,867$816,000$507 cheaper homes ($390K less) · larger · newer homes
Kula, HI 96790 78%2,400$100,693$1,037,700$897 cheaper homes ($168K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 76%146$122,334$878,400$459 cheaper homes ($328K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Escondido, CA 92029 76%200$124,726$985,500$497 cheaper homes ($220K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Pescadero, CA 94060 76%220$127,973$1,401,500$838 pricier homes ($196K more) · smaller · less walkable
Ben Lomond, CA 95005 76%204$104,375$967,300$570 cheaper homes ($239K less) · 8 min longer commute · older homes
Kahului, HI 96732 76%2,403$101,739$864,300$640 cheaper homes ($342K less) · larger
Salisbury, CT 06068 75%2,548$123,552$842,200$461 cheaper homes ($364K less) · smaller
Alpine, CA 91901 75%227$114,167$852,000$456 cheaper homes ($354K less) · larger · 6 min longer commute
Eleele, HI 96705 75%2,541$118,438$777,200$788 cheaper homes ($429K less) · smaller

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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