Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Sparks, NV
🏆 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
Population
93,327
Sparks
Nevada
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$82,938 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
104⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
108,025 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $81k less ($343,000 vs $423,500)
Rent averages $248/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,526)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Sparks by $15,615/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Sparks, NV
Pros
39% less violent crime than Redding
Households earn $15,615 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 92°F vs 100°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $423,500
Higher rents — median is $1,526/mo
Property crime (2583.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Median Home Value
$81k less
$343,000 vs $423,500
Redding
Summer Heat
7.8°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 92.1°F
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 102.8 on the COL index
Sparks
Median Income
$15,615
$82,938 vs $67,323/yr
Sparks
Violent Crime
39% lower
394.4 vs 647.8 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Sparks, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 103.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $423,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $1,526⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $82,938 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 23.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 7.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 123⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% ✓ Higher | 25.4% |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 85.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer | 48.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 92.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 8.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" ✓ Less | 6.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 108,025 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 37.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 59.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.5% | 23.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 15.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Sparks's 103.2 (US average = 100).
Redding is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 13 of 23 categories. Redding wins 13 and Sparks 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 Sparks or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $423,500 median home), income ($67,323 vs $82,938), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Sparks, NV are about 156 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.