Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Brownsville leads 13 of 23 categories
Brownsville
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,323 ✓ Higher
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.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $230k less ($112,600 vs $343,000)
Rent averages $406/mo less ($872 vs $1,278)
30% less violent crime than Redding
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Redding
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 57°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
Cons
Median income trails Redding by $20,588/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Redding, CA
Pros
Households earn $20,588 more per year on average
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 26.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
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 18% higher than Brownsville
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
30% lower
456.0 vs 647.8 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$230k less
$112,600 vs $343,000
Redding
Median Income
$20,588
$67,323 vs $46,735/yr
Redding
Summer Heat
8.0°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 91.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $343,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,278 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $67,323 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 6.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 136⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 26.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 57.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 22.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 13 of 23 categories. Brownsville 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 Brownsville to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $343,000 median home), income ($46,735 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Redding, CA are about 1,746 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.