Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Santa Clara, CA
🏆 Santa Clara leads 13 of 23 categories
Redding
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
Santa Clara
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$165,352 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
128,058 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $1097k less ($343,000 vs $1,440,200)
Rent averages $1563/mo less ($1,278 vs $2,841)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Clara
Cons
Median income trails Santa Clara by $98,029/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
Santa Clara, CA
Pros
Households earn $98,029 more per year on average
72% less violent crime than Redding
More college-educated — 64.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (182.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 100°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,440,200
Higher rents — median is $2,841/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Property crime (2501.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
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
$1097k less
$343,000 vs $1,440,200
Redding
Summer Heat
19.1°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 80.8°F
Santa Clara
Median Income
$98,029
$165,352 vs $67,323/yr
Santa Clara
Violent Crime
72% lower
182.0 vs 647.8 per 100k
Santa Clara
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Santa Clara, 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 | $1,440,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $2,841⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $165,352 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 23.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 21.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 64.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% | 94.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Santa Clara Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 80.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 15.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 128,058 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 41.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 18.0% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Santa Clara's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Redding is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Santa Clara leads 13 of 23 categories. Redding wins 10 and Santa Clara wins 13. 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 Santa Clara or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $1,440,200 median home), income ($67,323 vs $165,352), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Santa Clara, CA are about 223 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.