Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Los Angeles, CA: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

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

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Los Angeles, CA side by side

Metric● Chicago-Naperville-Elgin● Los Angeles, CA
Alpha Score5524
Price Momentum—51
Inventory Health98—
Affordability371
Economic Strength2536
Rental Yield452
Median Sale Price—$922K
Price-to-Income3.510.2
Payment-to-Income22.4%62.0%
Months of Supply—4
Gross Rental Yield5.3%2.5%
Overvaluation Index1070

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 Los Angeles, CA compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 37/100 vs Los Angeles, CA 1/100.
  • Economic Strength: Los Angeles, CA leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 25/100 vs Los Angeles, CA 36/100.
  • Rental Yield: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 45/100 vs Los Angeles, CA 2/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Los Angeles, CA?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin scores higher — 55 vs 24 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 Los Angeles, CA more affordable?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 3.5 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin and 10.2 in Los Angeles, CA.

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 Los Angeles, CA brief.