Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA side by side

Metric● Chicago-Naperville-Elgin● Sacramento, CA
Alpha Score3927
Price Momentum8320
Inventory Health13band 5 of 556band 5 of 5
Affordability377
Economic Strength2532
Rental Yield4510
Median Sale Price (Redfin)—$598K
Months of Supply (Redfin)—3

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 Sacramento, CA compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 37/100 vs Sacramento, CA 7/100.
  • Price Momentum: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 83/100 vs Sacramento, CA 20/100.
  • Inventory Health: Sacramento, CA leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 13/100 vs Sacramento, CA 56/100.
  • Economic Strength: Sacramento, CA leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 25/100 vs Sacramento, CA 32/100.
  • Rental Yield: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads — Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 45/100 vs Sacramento, CA 10/100.

Frequently asked questions

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

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 Sacramento, CA more affordable?

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

Which housing market has stronger momentum, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or Sacramento, CA?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has stronger price momentum — 83/100 vs 20/100.

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 Sacramento, CA brief.