City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Madison is cheaper. Median rent is $1,413 a month versus $1,582 in Phoenix.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Phoenix and Madison. Phoenix averages 81°F while Madison averages 52°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,582 versus $1,413.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Madison costs less and Phoenix pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Madison has rougher pockets and Phoenix has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Phoenix and Madison are 1,392 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,413 a month in Madison, down $169 a month (11%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $78,050 in Madison, down $3,282 (4%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 91 in Madison, down 83 points (48%).
The move
Madison and Phoenix are 1,392 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, up $169 a month (12%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $81,332 in Phoenix, up $3,282 (4%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 174 in Phoenix, up 83 points (91%).
Phoenix, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Phoenix and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
11% cheaper
Madison rent is 11% cheaper than Phoenix
Phoenix
$1,582/mo
Madison
Winner$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,413 a month in Madison versus $1,582 in Phoenix, so Madison is 11% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,028, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Madison still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Phoenix.
Planning to buy in Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Phoenix's median income is 4% higher than Madison
Phoenix
Winner$81,332
Madison
$78,050
Median household income is $81,332 in Phoenix versus $78,050 in Madison, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Phoenix (about $3,282 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
48% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 48% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 48% lower in Madison. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Madison is the easier city. Phoenix can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
52% more comfortable
Phoenix weather is 52% more comfortable than Madison
Phoenix
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
Phoenix averages about 81°F (87°F highs); Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs). Phoenix averages around 81°F. Madison averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Phoenix scores 52% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 4% higher ($81,332), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 81°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Madison is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 11% cheaper here at about $1,413 a month. Choose Madison if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 48% lower than Phoenix (91 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Madison: Madison scores 63/100 versus 43/100 in Phoenix, with typical rent at $1,413 versus $1,582. I would vet the exact ZIP in Phoenix before trading 20 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (63/100 in Madison vs 43/100 in Phoenix), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,413 in Madison and $1,582 in Phoenix.
If safety drives your move, Madison is the stronger match (63/100 safety versus 43/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Phoenix, treat $1,582/month rent and $81,332 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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