Chicago, IL vs New York, NY: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · scores computed September 2026
Chicago, IL vs New York, NY side by side
| Metric | ● Chicago, IL | ● New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 46 | 35 |
| Price Momentum | 83 | 75 |
| Inventory Health | — | — |
| Affordability | 34 | 2 |
| Economic Strength | 21 | 49 |
| Rental Yield | 44 | 4 |
| Median Sale Price | $399K | $847K |
| Price-to-Income | 4.4 | 9.6 |
| Payment-to-Income | 26.8% | 58.4% |
| Months of Supply | 3 | 5 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 4.4% | 2.6% |
| Overvaluation Index | 50 | 60 |
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 York, NY compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 34/100 vs New York, NY 2/100.
- Price Momentum: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 83/100 vs New York, NY 75/100.
- Economic Strength: New York, NY leads — Chicago, IL 21/100 vs New York, NY 49/100.
- Rental Yield: Chicago, IL leads — Chicago, IL 44/100 vs New York, NY 4/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Chicago, IL or New York, NY?
Chicago, IL scores higher — 46 vs 35 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 York, NY more affordable?
Chicago, IL is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 4.4 in Chicago, IL and 9.6 in New York, NY.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, Chicago, IL or New York, NY?
Chicago, IL has stronger price momentum — 83/100 vs 75/100.
What is the median home price in Chicago, IL vs New York, NY?
The median sale price is $399K in Chicago, IL and $847K in New York, NY.
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 York, NY brief.