Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
San Jose, CA
🏆 Redding leads 12 of 23 categories
Redding
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
San Jose
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$136,010 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
160⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,001,176 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $807k less ($343,000 vs $1,149,600)
Rent averages $1248/mo less ($1,278 vs $2,526)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than San Jose
Cons
Median income trails San Jose by $68,687/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.7%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
San Jose, CA
Pros
Households earn $68,687 more per year on average
6% less violent crime than Redding
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (4.7%)
More college-educated — 46.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 100°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,149,600
Higher rents — median is $2,526/mo
Violent crime (606.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Home Value
$807k less
$343,000 vs $1,149,600
Redding
Summer Heat
17.7°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 82.2°F
San Jose
Median Income
$68,687
$136,010 vs $67,323/yr
San Jose
Violent Crime
6% lower
606.8 vs 647.8 per 100k
San Jose
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,149,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $2,526⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $136,010 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 28.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 16.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 145⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 123⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 46.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 85.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | San Jose Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 59.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 82.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 18.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 1,001,176 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 37.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 55.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 21.2% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 13.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs San Jose's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Redding is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 12 of 23 categories. Redding wins 12 and San Jose 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 Redding to San Jose or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $1,149,600 median home), income ($67,323 vs $136,010), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and San Jose, CA are about 228 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.