Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Albuquerque, NM
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Redding leads 12 of 23 categories
Albuquerque
New Mexico
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,503
Violent Crime Index
311⚠ High
Population
562,551 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,323 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,327
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Albuquerque, NM
Pros
Homes cost $97k less ($246,000 vs $343,000)
Rent averages $264/mo less ($1,014 vs $1,278)
More college-educated — 37.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Redding
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
Cooler summers — July highs near 95°F vs 100°F
Cons
Violent crime (1181.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4628.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Redding by $5,820/yr
Redding, CA
Pros
45% less violent crime than Albuquerque
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Households earn $5,820 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 52°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $343,000
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Albuquerque
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Albuquerque
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.0 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Albuquerque
Median Home Value
$97k less
$246,000 vs $343,000
Redding
Median Income
$5,820
$67,323 vs $61,503/yr
Redding
Violent Crime
45% lower
647.8 vs 1181.8 per 100k
Redding
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 94.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.0 ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $246,000 ✓ Lower | $343,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,014 ✓ Lower | $1,278 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,503 | $67,323 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.1 min | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.0% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 275⚠ High | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 311⚠ High | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.8% ✓ Higher | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 90.7% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALBUQUERQUE | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.9°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.9°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.3" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 7.9" | 0.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 562,551 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.7% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.0% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.6% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Albuquerque's cost of living index is 93.0 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Albuquerque is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 12 of 23 categories. Albuquerque wins 11 and Redding wins 12. 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 Albuquerque to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($246,000 vs $343,000 median home), income ($61,503 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Albuquerque, NM and Redding, CA are about 935 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.