Chicago, IL vs New Brunswick, NJ: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026
Chicago, IL vs New Brunswick, NJ side by side
| Metric | ● Chicago, IL | ● New Brunswick, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 49 | 39 |
| Price Momentum | 83 | 74 |
| Inventory Health | 31 | 18 |
| Affordability | 52 | 25 |
| Economic Strength | 21 | 50 |
| Rental Yield | 69 | 31 |
| Median Sale Price | $382K | $585K |
| Price-to-Income | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Payment-to-Income | 25.1% | 31.0% |
| Months of Supply | 3 | 3 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 4.6% | 3.8% |
| Overvaluation Index | 50 | 70 |
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 New Brunswick, NJ compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 52/100 vs New Brunswick, NJ 25/100.
- Price Momentum: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 83/100 vs New Brunswick, NJ 74/100.
- Inventory Health: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 31/100 vs New Brunswick, NJ 18/100.
- Economic Strength: New Brunswick, NJ leads — Chicago, IL 21/100 vs New Brunswick, NJ 50/100.
- Rental Yield: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 69/100 vs New Brunswick, NJ 31/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Chicago, IL or New Brunswick, NJ?
Chicago, IL scores higher — 49 vs 39 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 New Brunswick, NJ more affordable?
Chicago, IL is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 4.2 in Chicago, IL and 5.2 in New Brunswick, NJ.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, Chicago, IL or New Brunswick, NJ?
Chicago, IL has stronger price momentum — 83/100 vs 74/100.
What is the median home price in Chicago, IL vs New Brunswick, NJ?
The median sale price is $382K in Chicago, IL and $585K in New Brunswick, NJ.
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 New Brunswick, NJ brief.