Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Sacramento, CA
🏆 Redding leads 16 of 23 categories
Redding
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,327
Sacramento
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,954 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
199⚠ High
Population
523,600 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $108k less ($343,000 vs $450,500)
14% less violent crime than Sacramento
Rent averages $314/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,592)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Sacramento
Smaller class sizes — 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Sacramento by $11,631/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Sacramento, CA
Pros
Households earn $11,631 more per year on average
More college-educated — 35.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 94°F vs 100°F
Cons
Violent crime (754.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $450,500
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Property crime (2547.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Violent Crime
14% lower
647.8 vs 754.9 per 100k
Redding
Median Home Value
$108k less
$343,000 vs $450,500
Redding
Summer Heat
5.5°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 94.4°F
Sacramento
Median Income
$11,631
$78,954 vs $67,323/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $450,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $78,954 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 121⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 35.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 86.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Sacramento City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer | 56.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 94.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 20.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 523,600 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 35.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 50.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 22.0% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 13.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Sacramento's 108.9 (US average = 100).
Redding is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 16 of 23 categories. Redding wins 16 and Sacramento wins 7. 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 Sacramento or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $450,500 median home), income ($67,323 vs $78,954), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Sacramento, CA are about 146 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.