Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Santa Monica, CA
🏆 Redding leads 13 of 23 categories
Redding
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,327 ✓ Larger
Santa Monica
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,797 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
205⚠ High
Population
92,168
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $1312k less ($343,000 vs $1,654,800)
Rent averages $949/mo less ($1,278 vs $2,227)
17% less violent crime than Santa Monica
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Monica
Cons
Median income trails Santa Monica by $39,474/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
Households earn $39,474 more per year on average
More college-educated — 67.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 100°F
Smaller class sizes — 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,654,800
Higher rents — median is $2,227/mo
Violent crime (778.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Violent Crime
17% lower
647.8 vs 778.0 per 100k
Redding
Median Home Value
$1312k less
$343,000 vs $1,654,800
Redding
Summer Heat
30.5°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 69.4°F
Santa Monica
Median Income
$39,474
$106,797 vs $67,323/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,654,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $2,227⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $106,797 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 214⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 228⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 18.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 67.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 62.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 69.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 ✓ Larger | 92,168 |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 42.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 28.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 18.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Santa Monica's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Redding is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 13 of 23 categories. Redding wins 13 and Santa Monica wins 10. 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 Monica or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $1,654,800 median home), income ($67,323 vs $106,797), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Santa Monica, CA are about 500 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.