Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Redding leads 14 of 23 categories
Redding
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,323 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,327
Springfield
Missouri
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Households earn $23,873 more per year on average
45% less violent crime than Springfield
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 43°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $343,000
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Springfield
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.8%)
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $197k less ($146,400 vs $343,000)
Rent averages $400/mo less ($878 vs $1,278)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.8%)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Redding
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 100°F
Cons
Median income trails Redding by $23,873/yr
Violent crime (1178.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4184.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Median Income
$23,873
$67,323 vs $43,450/yr
Redding
Violent Crime
45% lower
647.8 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Redding
Summer Heat
11.7°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 88.2°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$197k less
$146,400 vs $343,000
Springfield
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 18.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 91.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 168,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 15.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 14 of 23 categories. Redding wins 14 and Springfield wins 9. 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 Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $146,400 median home), income ($67,323 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Springfield, MO are about 1,574 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.