Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, TX
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories
Pasadena
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
150,620 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
11
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.
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $171k less ($171,600 vs $343,000)
13% less violent crime than Redding
Rent averages $119/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,278)
Cooler summers — July highs near 93°F vs 100°F
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 57°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 5.9%)
Median income trails Redding by $2,625/yr
Redding, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 26.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $2,625 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $343,000
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Pasadena
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Violent Crime
13% lower
566.1 vs 647.8 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$171k less
$171,600 vs $343,000
Redding
Median Income
$2,625
$67,323 vs $64,698/yr
Redding
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.9% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
7.0°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 92.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $171,600 ✓ Lower | $343,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,159 ✓ Lower | $1,278 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,698 | $67,323 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer | 136⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.9% | 26.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 73.0% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PASADENA ISD | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer | 57.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.9°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.1" | 41.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,620 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 22.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories. Pasadena wins 12 and Redding wins 11. 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 Pasadena to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,600 vs $343,000 median home), income ($64,698 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, TX and Redding, CA are about 1,704 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.