Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Santa Maria, CA
🏆 Redding leads 17 of 23 categories
Redding
California
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,327
Santa Maria
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$81,237 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
174⚠ High
Population
109,543 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Rent averages $490/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,768)
Homes cost $95k less ($343,000 vs $438,100)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 26.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Maria
Cons
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Santa Maria by $13,914/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Santa Maria, CA
Pros
Households earn $13,914 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 100°F
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 57°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,768/mo
Violent crime (660.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $438,100
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Violent Crime
2% lower
647.8 vs 660.6 per 100k
Redding
Median Home Value
$95k less
$343,000 vs $438,100
Redding
Summer Heat
26.6°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 73.3°F
Santa Maria
Median Income
$13,914
$81,237 vs $67,323/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $438,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $1,768⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $81,237 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 22.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% ✓ Higher | 4.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 140⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 90 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) ✓ Better | C- (62) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% ✓ Higher | 14.5% |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 63.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 64.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 73.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 13.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 109,543 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 29.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 51.2% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% | 31.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Santa Maria's 113.5 (US average = 100).
Redding is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 17 of 23 categories. Redding wins 17 and Santa Maria wins 6. 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 Maria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $438,100 median home), income ($67,323 vs $81,237), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Santa Maria, CA are about 403 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.