Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chula Vista, CA
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Chula Vista leads 13 of 23 categories
Chula Vista
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,984 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
276,103 ✓ 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.
Chula Vista, CA
Pros
Households earn $34,661 more per year on average
42% less violent crime than Redding
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 100°F
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 57°F
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $647,100
Higher rents — median is $2,035/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Higher unemployment (8.8% vs 5.9%)
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $304k less ($343,000 vs $647,100)
Rent averages $757/mo less ($1,278 vs $2,035)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Chula Vista
Smaller class sizes — 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Chula Vista by $34,661/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Chula Vista
Median Income
$34,661
$101,984 vs $67,323/yr
Chula Vista
Violent Crime
42% lower
375.8 vs 647.8 per 100k
Redding
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Home Value
$304k less
$343,000 vs $647,100
Redding
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.8% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
25.3°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 74.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.5⚠ High | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $647,100⚠ High | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,035⚠ High | $1,278 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $101,984 ✓ Higher | $67,323 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.1 min⚠ High | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 81 ✓ Safer | 136⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 54 ✓ Safer | 83 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.0:1 | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.2% ✓ Higher | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 85.3% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chula Vista Elementary | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.5°F ✓ Warmer | 57.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.6°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.0" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,103 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 24.7% ✓ More | 22.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chula Vista's cost of living index is 111.5 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Redding is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chula Vista leads 13 of 23 categories. Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($647,100 vs $343,000 median home), income ($101,984 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chula Vista, CA and Redding, CA are about 624 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.