Madison, WI vs Park Ridge, IL
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
Park Ridge
74.2
#621 nationally
Park Ridge leads in median household income ($137,964 vs $76,184). Madison leads in average commute (20.1 min vs 28.5 min). Madison leads in cost of living index (109 vs 136).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Madison, WI | Park Ridge, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#790) | 74.2 (#621) |
| Population | 269,840 | 37,897 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,061 | $595,303 |
| Median Household Income | $76,184 | $137,964 |
| Average Commute | 20.1 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 2.6 |
| School Rating | 8.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 136 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+42.0 |
C
73.1 Score
Madison, WI
Education excellence on the isthmus
Median Home
$432,061
Population
269,840
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A-
Midwest
View Madison, WI →
C
74.2 Score
Park Ridge, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$595,303
Population
37,897
Crime
Low
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View Park Ridge, IL →
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