Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Chicago, IL: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · scores computed September 2026
Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Chicago, IL side by side
| Metric | ● Boston-Cambridge-Newton | ● Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 46 | 46 |
| Price Momentum | — | 83 |
| Inventory Health | 98 | — |
| Affordability | 10 | 34 |
| Economic Strength | 41 | 21 |
| Rental Yield | 11 | 44 |
| Median Sale Price | — | $399K |
| Price-to-Income | 5.6 | 4.4 |
| Payment-to-Income | 35.1% | 26.8% |
| Months of Supply | — | 3 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 3.8% | 4.4% |
| Overvaluation Index | 40 | 50 |
Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.
How Boston-Cambridge-Newton and Chicago, IL compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Chicago, IL leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 10/100 vs Chicago, IL 34/100.
- Economic Strength: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 41/100 vs Chicago, IL 21/100.
- Rental Yield: Chicago, IL leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 11/100 vs Chicago, IL 44/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Chicago, IL?
They're essentially tied, each near 46 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.
Is Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Chicago, IL more affordable?
Chicago, IL is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 5.6 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton and 4.4 in Chicago, IL.
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton market brief and the Chicago, IL brief.