New York-Newark-Jersey City vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

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

New York-Newark-Jersey City vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria side by side

Metric● New York-Newark-Jersey City● Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Alpha Score4652
Price Momentum——
Inventory Health10099
Affordability719
Economic Strength4553
Rental Yield918
Median Sale Price——
Price-to-Income6.24.6
Payment-to-Income39.0%28.8%
Months of Supply——
Gross Rental Yield3.6%4.2%
Overvaluation Index4020

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How New York-Newark-Jersey City and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — New York-Newark-Jersey City 7/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 19/100.
  • Inventory Health: New York-Newark-Jersey City leads — New York-Newark-Jersey City 100/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 99/100.
  • Economic Strength: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — New York-Newark-Jersey City 45/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 53/100.
  • Rental Yield: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — New York-Newark-Jersey City 9/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 18/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, New York-Newark-Jersey City or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria scores higher — 52 vs 46 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is New York-Newark-Jersey City or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria more affordable?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 6.2 in New York-Newark-Jersey City and 4.6 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria.

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 New York-Newark-Jersey City market brief and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria brief.