Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
San Marcos, CA
🏆 San Marcos leads 14 of 23 categories
Redding
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
San Marcos
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,413 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
59 ✓ Safer
Population
94,360 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $386k less ($343,000 vs $728,800)
Rent averages $786/mo less ($1,278 vs $2,064)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than San Marcos
Smaller class sizes — 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Marcos by $32,090/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.2%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
San Marcos, CA
Pros
66% less violent crime than Redding
Households earn $32,090 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (222.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 41.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 100°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $728,800
Higher rents — median is $2,064/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Redding
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Home Value
$386k less
$343,000 vs $728,800
Redding
Summer Heat
12.7°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 87.2°F
San Marcos
Median Income
$32,090
$99,413 vs $67,323/yr
San Marcos
Violent Crime
66% lower
222.4 vs 647.8 per 100k
San Marcos
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $728,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $2,064⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $99,413 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 26.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 16.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 | 31 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 41.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 87.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | San Marcos Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 87.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 13.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 94,360 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 35.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 61.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.5% | 25.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs San Marcos's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Redding is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Marcos leads 14 of 23 categories. Redding wins 9 and San Marcos wins 14. 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 Marcos or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $728,800 median home), income ($67,323 vs $99,413), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and San Marcos, CA are about 588 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.