Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Providence, RI
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Redding leads 12 of 23 categories
Providence
Rhode Island
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,365
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
12
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.
Providence, RI
Pros
57% less violent crime than Redding
Homes cost $50k less ($293,000 vs $343,000)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 100°F
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.9%)
Median income trails Redding by $5,958/yr
Redding, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 38°F
Households earn $5,958 more per year on average
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
Key Differences at a Glance
Providence
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Providence
Violent Crime
57% lower
276.7 vs 647.8 per 100k
Providence
Median Home Value
$50k less
$293,000 vs $343,000
Redding
Median Income
$5,958
$67,323 vs $61,365/yr
Redding
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.2% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
16.3°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Providence, RI | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $293,000 ✓ Lower | $343,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,214 ✓ Lower | $1,278 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,365 | $67,323 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 75 ✓ Safer | 136⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 73 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 83 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.5% ✓ Higher | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 82.9% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Providence | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.5" | 41.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.6" | 0.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 189,715 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.8% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Providence's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Providence is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 12 of 23 categories. Providence wins 11 and Redding wins 12. 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 Providence to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($293,000 vs $343,000 median home), income ($61,365 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Providence, RI and Redding, CA are about 2,611 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.