Madison, WI vs Mesa, AZ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Madison
73.1
#790 nationally
Mesa
67
#1475 nationally
Madison leads in walk score (48 vs 38). Madison leads in average commute (20.1 min vs 24.8 min). Madison leads in median household income ($76,184 vs $73,766).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Madison, WI | Mesa, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#790) | 67 (#1475) |
| Population | 269,840 | 511,648 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,061 | $433,754 |
| Median Household Income | $76,184 | $73,766 |
| Average Commute | 20.1 min | 24.8 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 13.2 |
| School Rating | 8.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | R+3.5 |
C
73.1 Score
Madison, WI
Education excellence on the isthmus
Median Home
$432,061
Population
269,840
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A-
Midwest
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D+
67 Score
Mesa, AZ
Major Arizona city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$433,754
Population
511,648
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Mesa, AZ →