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 Tracy, CA 95304

Tracy: median income $115,007, home value $893,600, $337/sq ft, 33-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
San Miguel, CA 93451 81%134$98,188$652,900$416 cheaper homes ($241K less) · smaller
Alpine, CA 91901 80%429$114,167$852,000$456 cheaper homes ($42K less) · more homeowners · older homes
American Canyon, CA 94503 78%55$121,088$697,400$385 cheaper homes ($196K less) · more homeowners · more walkable
Tacoma, WA 98446 78%651$101,938$487,500$285 cheaper homes ($406K less)
Mira Loma, CA 91752 77%338$115,177$689,600$336 cheaper homes ($204K less) · larger · more walkable
Nipomo, CA 93444 77%194$110,867$816,000$507 cheaper homes ($78K less) · older residents · 5 min shorter commute
Ripon, CA 95366 77%15$112,097$707,800$373 cheaper homes ($186K less) · 6 min shorter commute · more walkable
Dixon, CA 95620 77%54$103,054$619,800$339 cheaper homes ($274K less) · 6 min shorter commute · more walkable
Stanwood, WA 98292 77%725$101,765$654,100$338 cheaper homes ($240K less) · larger · more homeowners
Acampo, CA 95220 76%34$114,637$706,600$434 cheaper homes ($187K less) · smaller · 5 min shorter commute
Woodland, WA 98674 75%570$94,245$538,000$285 cheaper homes ($356K less) · more homeowners
Castaic, CA 91384 74%273$131,689$767,300$406 cheaper homes ($126K less) · larger · more homeowners
Fallbrook, CA 92028 74%382$111,290$842,500$426 cheaper homes ($51K less) · larger · more walkable
Ramona, CA 92065 74%414$125,285$800,100$394 cheaper homes ($94K less) · larger · more homeowners
Salinas, CA 93907 74%69$104,942$750,100$484 cheaper homes ($144K less) · larger · more walkable
Manteca, CA 95337 74%10$117,137$645,200$281 cheaper homes ($248K less) · larger · more homeowners
Puyallup, WA 98374 74%652$112,662$535,300$284 cheaper homes ($358K less) · larger · more walkable
Gypsum, CO 81637 73%789$109,209$616,200$397 cheaper homes ($277K less) · 10 min shorter commute
Canyon Country, CA 91387 73%283$117,969$756,600$408 cheaper homes ($137K less) · larger · more apartments and townhomes
Galt, CA 95632 73%38$102,239$522,200$312 cheaper homes ($371K less) · larger · more homeowners
Sacramento, CA 95829 73%51$105,395$621,100$292 cheaper homes ($273K less) · larger · more homeowners
Arlington, WA 98223 73%723$99,681$601,400$389 cheaper homes ($292K less) · larger · more homeowners
Everson, WA 98247 73%773$88,724$564,400$356 lower income ($26K less) · cheaper homes ($329K less) · smaller
Monroe, WA 98272 73%700$122,352$713,300$396 cheaper homes ($180K less) · larger · more homeowners
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 73%747$93,006$482,500$357 cheaper homes ($411K less) · larger · more homeowners

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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