Atlanta, GA vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of August 2026

Atlanta, GA vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin side by side

Metric Atlanta, GA Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Alpha Score5024
Price Momentum50
Inventory Health360
Affordability4436
Economic Strength7326
Rental Yield5344
Median Sale Price$408K
Price-to-Income4.53.5
Payment-to-Income27.6%22.4%
Months of Supply5
Gross Rental Yield4.9%5.3%
Overvaluation Index5010

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How Atlanta, GA and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Atlanta, GA leads — Atlanta, GA 44/100 vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 36/100.
  • Inventory Health: Atlanta, GA leads — Atlanta, GA 36/100 vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 0/100.
  • Economic Strength: Atlanta, GA leads — Atlanta, GA 73/100 vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 26/100.
  • Rental Yield: Atlanta, GA leads — Atlanta, GA 53/100 vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 44/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Atlanta, GA or Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?

Atlanta, GA scores higher — 50 vs 24 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Atlanta, GA or Chicago-Naperville-Elgin more affordable?

Atlanta, GA is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 4.5 in Atlanta, GA and 3.5 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin.

Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Atlanta, GA market brief and the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin brief.