Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Phoenix, AZ: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Phoenix, AZ side by side
| Metric | ● Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | ● Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 34 | 32 |
| Price Momentum | 50 | 41 |
| Inventory Health | 1 | 34 |
| Affordability | 36 | 21 |
| Economic Strength | 42 | 23 |
| Rental Yield | 52 | 46 |
| Median Sale Price | — | $469K |
| Price-to-Income | 3.4 | 5.5 |
| Payment-to-Income | 20.9% | 32.9% |
| Months of Supply | — | 4 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 5.5% | 4.0% |
| Overvaluation Index | 0 | 80 |
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 Phoenix, AZ compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 36/100 vs Phoenix, AZ 21/100.
- Price Momentum: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 50/100 vs Phoenix, AZ 41/100.
- Inventory Health: Phoenix, AZ leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 1/100 vs Phoenix, AZ 34/100.
- Economic Strength: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 42/100 vs Phoenix, AZ 23/100.
- Rental Yield: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 52/100 vs Phoenix, AZ 46/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Phoenix, AZ?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin scores higher — 34 vs 32 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 Phoenix, AZ more affordable?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 3.4 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin and 5.5 in Phoenix, AZ.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Phoenix, AZ?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has stronger price momentum — 50/100 vs 41/100.
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 Phoenix, AZ brief.