Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Redding leads 14 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
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.
Eugene, OR
Pros
51% less violent crime than Redding
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 100°F
Smaller class sizes — 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.9%)
Median income trails Redding by $5,842/yr
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $63k less ($343,000 vs $406,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.9%)
Households earn $5,842 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 48°F
Cons
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
Eugene
Violent Crime
51% lower
317.9 vs 647.8 per 100k
Redding
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Income
$5,842
$67,323 vs $61,481/yr
Redding
Median Home Value
$63k less
$343,000 vs $406,000
Redding
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.1% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
15.9°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 ✓ Lower | $1,278 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $67,323 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 136⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 92.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 41.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" | 0.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Redding is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 14 of 23 categories. Eugene wins 9 and Redding wins 14. 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 Eugene to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $343,000 median home), income ($61,481 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Redding, CA are about 244 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.