Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Richardson, TX
🏆 Redding leads 13 of 23 categories
Redding
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
Richardson
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,362 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
118,063 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Rent averages $447/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,725)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Homes cost $37k less ($343,000 vs $379,800)
Cons
Median income trails Richardson by $27,039/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 5.0%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Richardson, TX
Pros
77% less violent crime than Redding
Households earn $27,039 more per year on average
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (146.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 94°F vs 100°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,725/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $379,800
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Home Value
$37k less
$343,000 vs $379,800
Redding
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 94.3°F
Richardson
Median Income
$27,039
$94,362 vs $67,323/yr
Richardson
Violent Crime
77% lower
146.7 vs 647.8 per 100k
Richardson
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Richardson, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $379,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $1,725⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $94,362 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 23.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 19.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 87 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | A+ (133) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 92.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | RICHARDSON ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer | 55.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 94.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 40.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" ✓ Less | 1.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 118,063 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 21.0% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Richardson's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Redding is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 13 of 23 categories. Redding wins 13 and Richardson 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 Redding to Richardson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $379,800 median home), income ($67,323 vs $94,362), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Richardson, TX are about 1,507 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.