Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Denver, CO: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

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

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Denver, CO side by side

Metric● Chicago-Naperville-Elgin● Denver, CO
Alpha Score3927
Price Momentum839
Inventory Health13band 5 of 559band 5 of 5
Affordability379
Economic Strength2536
Rental Yield4511
Median Sale Price (Redfin)—$569K
Months of Supply (Redfin)—4

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 Denver, CO compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 37/100 vs Denver, CO 9/100.
  • Price Momentum: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 83/100 vs Denver, CO 9/100.
  • Inventory Health: Denver, CO leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 13/100 vs Denver, CO 59/100.
  • Economic Strength: Denver, CO leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 25/100 vs Denver, CO 36/100.
  • Rental Yield: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 45/100 vs Denver, CO 11/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Denver, CO?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin scores higher — 39 vs 27 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 Denver, CO more affordable?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is more affordable on our affordability dimension.

Which housing market has stronger momentum, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Denver, CO?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has stronger price momentum — 83/100 vs 9/100.

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 Denver, CO brief.