Madison, WI vs Scottsdale, 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
Scottsdale
68.2
#1340 nationally
Madison leads in walk score (48 vs 37). Scottsdale leads in median household income ($98,721 vs $76,184). Madison leads in average commute (20.1 min vs 24.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#790) | 68.2 (#1340) |
| Population | 269,840 | 265,356 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,061 | $854,394 |
| Median Household Income | $76,184 | $98,721 |
| Average Commute | 20.1 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 37 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | Low |
| School Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 124 |
| 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+
68.2 Score
Scottsdale, AZ
Desert luxury and Southwestern style
Median Home
$854,394
Population
265,356
Crime
Low
Schools
A-
Southwest
View Scottsdale, AZ →