Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Redding leads 14 of 23 categories
Redding
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,323 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
Roanoke
Virginia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,213 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Households earn $15,800 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $343,000
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Roanoke
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $181k less ($162,000 vs $343,000)
Rent averages $361/mo less ($917 vs $1,278)
4% less violent crime than Redding
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Redding
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 100°F
Cons
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Redding by $15,800/yr
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Median Income
$15,800
$67,323 vs $51,523/yr
Redding
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.6% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
11.8°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Violent Crime
4% lower
620.4 vs 647.8 per 100k
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$181k less
$162,000 vs $343,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 20.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 28.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 99,213 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 38.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 17.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 14 of 23 categories. Redding wins 14 and Roanoke wins 9. 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 Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $162,000 median home), income ($67,323 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Roanoke, VA are about 2,269 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.