Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Columbus, OH: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Columbus, OH side by side
| Metric | ● Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | ● Columbus, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 34 | 55 |
| Price Momentum | 50 | 58 |
| Inventory Health | 1 | 28 |
| Affordability | 36 | 49 |
| Economic Strength | 42 | 96 |
| Rental Yield | 52 | 48 |
| Median Sale Price | — | $353K |
| Price-to-Income | 3.4 | 4.4 |
| Payment-to-Income | 20.9% | 26.3% |
| Months of Supply | — | 3 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 5.5% | 4.1% |
| Overvaluation Index | 0 | 60 |
Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.
How Chicago-Naperville-Elgin and Columbus, OH compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Columbus, OH leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 36/100 vs Columbus, OH 49/100.
- Price Momentum: Columbus, OH leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 50/100 vs Columbus, OH 58/100.
- Inventory Health: Columbus, OH leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 1/100 vs Columbus, OH 28/100.
- Economic Strength: Columbus, OH leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 42/100 vs Columbus, OH 96/100.
- Rental Yield: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 52/100 vs Columbus, OH 48/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Columbus, OH?
Columbus, OH 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Columbus, OH more affordable?
Columbus, OH is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 3.4 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin and 4.4 in Columbus, OH.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Columbus, OH?
Columbus, OH has stronger price momentum — 58/100 vs 50/100.
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin market brief and the Columbus, OH brief.