Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
San Leandro, 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 ✓ Larger
San Leandro
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,141 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,723
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $430k less ($343,000 vs $772,700)
Rent averages $719/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,997)
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than San Leandro
Cons
Median income trails San Leandro by $29,818/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
San Leandro, CA
Pros
Households earn $29,818 more per year on average
15% less violent crime than Redding
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 72°F vs 100°F
More college-educated — 32.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $772,700
Higher rents — median is $1,997/mo
Violent crime (548.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Home Value
$430k less
$343,000 vs $772,700
Redding
Summer Heat
28.3°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 71.6°F
San Leandro
Median Income
$29,818
$97,141 vs $67,323/yr
San Leandro
Violent Crime
15% lower
548.7 vs 647.8 per 100k
San Leandro
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | San Leandro, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $772,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $1,997⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $97,141 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 32.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 11.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 161⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 187⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B- (92) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 32.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 84.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | San Leandro Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 71.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 18.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 ✓ Larger | 89,723 |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 41.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 57.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 17.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs San Leandro's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Redding is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 12 of 23 categories. Redding wins 12 and San Leandro 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 Leandro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $772,700 median home), income ($67,323 vs $97,141), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and San Leandro, CA are about 198 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.