Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Redding leads 13 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
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.
Chicago, IL
Pros
17% less violent crime than Redding
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $39k less ($304,500 vs $343,000)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 100°F
Households earn $4,350 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.9%)
Longer commutes — 34.1 min average each way
Redding, CA
Pros
Commutes run 18 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (5.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $343,000
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Median income trails Chicago by $4,350/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Median Income
$4,350
$71,673 vs $67,323/yr
Chicago
Violent Crime
17% lower
539.8 vs 647.8 per 100k
Chicago
Median Home Value
$39k less
$304,500 vs $343,000
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 102.6 on the COL index
Redding
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.2% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
18.9°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 ✓ Lower | $343,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $1,278 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $67,323 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 0.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Chicago is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 13 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 10 and Redding wins 13. 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 Chicago to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $343,000 median home), income ($71,673 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Redding, CA are about 1,793 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.