Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Simi Valley, CA
🏆 Simi Valley 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
Simi Valley
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$112,144 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
126,153 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $361k less ($343,000 vs $704,200)
Rent averages $1124/mo less ($1,278 vs $2,402)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Simi Valley
Smaller class sizes — 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Simi Valley by $44,821/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.4%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Simi Valley, CA
Pros
80% less violent crime than Redding
Households earn $44,821 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (129.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.4%)
More college-educated — 36.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 57°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $704,200
Higher rents — median is $2,402/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Redding
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Home Value
$361k less
$343,000 vs $704,200
Redding
Summer Heat
4.8°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 95.1°F
Simi Valley
Median Income
$44,821
$112,144 vs $67,323/yr
Simi Valley
Violent Crime
80% lower
129.1 vs 647.8 per 100k
Simi Valley
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.4% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Simi Valley, 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 | $704,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $2,402⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $112,144 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 28.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 14.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 38 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 | 44 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 36.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 91.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Simi Valley Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 95.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 126,153 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 41.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 72.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 16.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Simi Valley's 113.5 (US average = 100).
Redding is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Simi Valley leads 14 of 23 categories. Redding wins 9 and Simi Valley 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 Simi Valley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $704,200 median home), income ($67,323 vs $112,144), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Simi Valley, CA are about 479 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.