What is closer the Moon or Mars?

I am not an expert on this. It would seem, though, that Mars would be by far a more difficult mission, even if the only difference is the far greater duration of the trip out and the trip back. We would have to design and build systems that could sustain the crew, propel the craft, and get them back safely. More time means an increased risk of system failures of one kind or another. More food, water and fuel would have to be stored, along with flawless atmosphere controls. There would probably also be more difficulty in landing a craft on Mars, given stronger gravity and different possible atmospheric conditions. Wouldn't it make more sense to send unmanned missions with more and more developed science on board than to send a crew? We will certainly get to Mars one day, and we may even colonize it. Making good use of the moon, while less exciting and inspirational than a Mars mission, seems to me to make MUCH more sense. For example, a sophisticated base on the moon would make a significantly more sensible platform from which to launch missions to Mars and beyond. Much larger payloads could be delivered; it would be much more efficient in the long haul.