Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Madison, WI
VS
Peoria, AZ
🏆 Peoria leads 13 of 23 categories
Madison
Wisconsin
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,895
Violent Crime Index
67
Population
268,516 ✓ Larger
Peoria
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.7⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,759 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
67 ✓ Safer
Population
191,292
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Madison, WI
Pros
Rent averages $347/mo less ($1,291 vs $1,638)
Violent crime is well below the national average (256.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 58.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (2.6%)
Homes cost $57k less ($326,600 vs $383,600)
Cons
Median income trails Peoria by $11,864/yr
Peoria, AZ
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (254.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 28°F
Households earn $11,864 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,638/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $383,600
Higher unemployment (3.9% vs 2.6%)
Longer commutes — 29.2 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Madison
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 95.8 vs 100.7 (100 = US avg)
Madison
Median Home Value
$57k less
$326,600 vs $383,600
Madison
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
2.6% vs 3.9% unemployment
Peoria
Median Income
$11,864
$86,759 vs $74,895/yr
Peoria
Summer Heat
22.4°F warmer
July avg high 104.6°F vs 82.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.8 ✓ Cheaper | 100.7⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $326,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $383,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,291 ✓ Lower | $1,638⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,895 | $86,759 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.6% ✓ Lower | 3.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 15.3% | 17.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 76 | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 67 | 67 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 89 | 57 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (124) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 58.9% ✓ Higher | 34.8% |
| High School or Higher | 95.5% ✓ Higher | 92.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Madison Metropolitan School District | Peoria Unified School District (4237) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 27.7°F | 65.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.2°F | 104.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.5" | 10.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 268,516 ✓ Larger | 191,292 |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 41.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 75.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.2% | 22.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 18.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison's cost of living index is 95.8 vs Peoria's 100.7 (US average = 100).
Madison is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Peoria leads 13 of 23 categories. Madison wins 10 and Peoria wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Madison to Peoria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($326,600 vs $383,600 median home), income ($74,895 vs $86,759), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Madison, WI and Peoria, AZ are about 1,389 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.