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 American Canyon, CA 94503

American Canyon: median income $121,088, home value $697,400, $385/sq ft, 30-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Auburn, WA 98092 93%630$122,300$635,900$324 cheaper homes ($62K less) · larger
Monroe, WA 98272 93%670$122,352$713,300$396 5 min longer commute
Washougal, WA 98671 93%513$111,545$586,100$296 cheaper homes ($111K less)
Tacoma, WA 98422 91%631$118,604$663,800$358 cheaper homes ($34K less)
Ripon, CA 95366 90%68$112,097$707,800$373 Very close on everything we compare
Sandy, OR 97055 90%498$112,323$493,900$274 cheaper homes ($204K less)
Auburn, WA 98001 90%632$106,791$587,400$342 cheaper homes ($110K less) · larger
Nipomo, CA 93444 89%238$110,867$816,000$507 pricier homes ($119K more) · older residents
Vacaville, CA 95688 89%21$118,186$687,100$379 larger · older homes
Lake Stevens, WA 98258 89%681$123,898$653,100$375 cheaper homes ($44K less) · larger · 5 min longer commute
Marysville, WA 98270 89%684$108,147$579,900$362 cheaper homes ($118K less) · larger
Battle Ground, WA 98604 89%527$112,448$589,800$299 cheaper homes ($108K less) · larger
Alpine, CA 91901 88%481$114,167$852,000$456 pricier homes ($155K more) · older residents
Mira Loma, CA 91752 87%391$115,177$689,600$336 larger · more renters
Fallbrook, CA 92028 87%435$111,290$842,500$426 pricier homes ($145K more) · larger
Fairfield, CA 94534 87%9$140,198$744,500$350 pricier homes ($47K more) · larger
Stockton, CA 95212 87%55$111,720$538,500$323 cheaper homes ($159K less)
Elk Grove, CA 95624 87%52$125,332$633,300$312 cheaper homes ($64K less) · larger
Kent, WA 98031 87%637$105,965$611,600$349 cheaper homes ($86K less) · larger · older homes
Olympia, WA 98513 87%610$113,053$470,700$296 cheaper homes ($227K less) · larger
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 86%382$143,265$895,000$416 pricier homes ($198K more) · larger
Paso Robles, CA 93446 86%195$97,943$707,500$431 larger
Shingle Springs, CA 95682 86%77$122,436$722,800$332 pricier homes ($25K more) · older residents
Sacramento, CA 95829 86%54$105,395$621,100$292 cheaper homes ($76K less) · more single-family homes
Oregon City, OR 97045 86%496$103,573$587,700$313 cheaper homes ($110K 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.

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