Atlanta, GA vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026
Atlanta, GA vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin side by side
| Metric | ● Atlanta, GA | ● Chicago-Naperville-Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 55 | 34 |
| Price Momentum | 41 | 50 |
| Inventory Health | 36 | 1 |
| Affordability | 44 | 36 |
| Economic Strength | 92 | 42 |
| Rental Yield | 72 | 52 |
| Median Sale Price | $395K | — |
| Price-to-Income | 4.6 | 3.4 |
| Payment-to-Income | 27.2% | 20.9% |
| Months of Supply | 4 | — |
| Gross Rental Yield | 4.7% | 5.5% |
| Overvaluation Index | 40 | 0 |
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.
- Price Momentum: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Atlanta, GA 41/100 vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 50/100.
- Inventory Health: Atlanta, GA leads — Atlanta, GA 36/100 vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 1/100.
- Economic Strength: Atlanta, GA leads — Atlanta, GA 92/100 vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 42/100.
- Rental Yield: Atlanta, GA leads — Atlanta, GA 72/100 vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 52/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Atlanta, GA or Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Atlanta, GA scores higher — 55 vs 34 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 4.6 in Atlanta, GA and 3.4 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, Atlanta, GA or Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has stronger price momentum — 50/100 vs 41/100.
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.