Madison, WI vs Tempe, 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
Tempe
68.3
#1328 nationally
Tempe leads in walk score (54 vs 48). Madison leads in cost of living index (109 vs 119). Madison leads in average commute (20.1 min vs 21.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#790) | 68.3 (#1328) |
| Population | 269,840 | 189,834 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,061 | $465,636 |
| Median Household Income | $76,184 | $72,022 |
| Average Commute | 20.1 min | 21.5 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 12.9 |
| School Rating | 8.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 119 |
| 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+
68.3 Score
Tempe, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$465,636
Population
189,834
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
Southwest
View Tempe, AZ →