Madison, WI vs Phoenix, 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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Madison leads in school rating (8.2 vs 5.8). Madison leads in average commute (20.1 min vs 26.7 min). Madison leads in walk score (48 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Madison, WI | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#790) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 269,840 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,061 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $76,184 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 20.1 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 8.2 | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 106 |
| 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
View Madison, WI →
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →