Chicago, IL vs Dallas, TX: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · scores computed September 2026

Chicago, IL vs Dallas, TX side by side

Metric● Chicago, IL● Dallas, TX
Alpha Score4633
Price Momentum8314
Inventory Health——
Affordability3425
Economic Strength2152
Rental Yield4442
Median Sale Price$399K$417K
Price-to-Income4.44.5
Payment-to-Income26.8%27.3%
Months of Supply35
Gross Rental Yield4.4%4.8%
Overvaluation Index5040

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

How Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 34/100 vs Dallas, TX 25/100.
  • Price Momentum: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 83/100 vs Dallas, TX 14/100.
  • Economic Strength: Dallas, TX leads — Chicago, IL 21/100 vs Dallas, TX 52/100.
  • Rental Yield: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 44/100 vs Dallas, TX 42/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Chicago, IL or Dallas, TX?

Chicago, IL scores higher — 46 vs 33 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Chicago, IL or Dallas, TX more affordable?

Chicago, IL is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 4.4 in Chicago, IL and 4.5 in Dallas, TX.

Which housing market has stronger momentum, Chicago, IL or Dallas, TX?

Chicago, IL has stronger price momentum — 83/100 vs 14/100.

What is the median home price in Chicago, IL vs Dallas, TX?

The median sale price is $399K in Chicago, IL and $417K in Dallas, TX.

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 Chicago, IL market brief and the Dallas, TX brief.