Madison, WI vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 48). Madison leads in cost of living index (109 vs 181). Madison leads in average commute (20.1 min vs 30.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#790) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 269,840 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,061 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $76,184 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 20.1 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 98 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 25.4 |
| School Rating | 8.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+86.1 |
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
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →
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