Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Arvada leads 13 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $38,691 more per year on average
56% less violent crime than Redding
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 100°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $210k less ($343,000 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $428/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,706)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 47°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $38,691/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.8%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$38,691
$106,014 vs $67,323/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
56% lower
285.6 vs 647.8 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Redding
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Home Value
$210k less
$343,000 vs $553,000
Redding
Summer Heat
11.7°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $1,278 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $67,323 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 136⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 92.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 38.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Redding is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 13 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 13 and Redding wins 10. 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 Arvada to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $343,000 median home), income ($106,014 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Redding, CA are about 909 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.