Our club has both a 180 hp C-172N and a C-182. I fly both, for different reasons.
Our flight planning has to assume full tanks as club rules require putting the plane away full. So, load carrying capacity comes down to cabin load with full tanks. We have the long range (50 gal useable in the 172, 75 gal useable in the 182) in both airplane. From my latest look at the W&B numbers, I can put 753 pounds in the cabin of the 172 and 627 pounds in the cabin of the 182. Again, full long range tanks in both. Not what one would expect, however.
On the other hand, the 182 is faster (135 KIAS cruise vs. 114 KIAS cruise) at cruise power settings. It handles turbulance better due to its higher wing loading. It is wider, so you're not crammed shoulder to shoulder with the person in the right seat, so it is more comfortable.
Bottom line, what are you going to use it for? Cross country cruising machine? 182. Shorter trips, training, proficiency flying? I'll take the 172. Both are nice, and with the exception of the controllable pitch prop and cowl flaps you can fly the 182 as a bigger, faster and heavier 172. I do a better job at approaching consistency in my landings in the 182, as well. Even with a lot fewer hours in it.
Now, if you want a reasonable retract - our PA-28R-200 will carry around 700 pounds in the cabin with full tanks and goes just a touch slower than the 182. If we had comfortable seat cushions in it I'd like it more than the 182, but it doesn't. Even so, I've got about 25 hours in 182s and 41 hours in the Arrow.
Either way, you'll have a good plane for the club. Have fun!