Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Tempe, AZ
🏆 Tempe leads 15 of 23 categories
Redding
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
Tempe
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,022 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
181,005 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Rent averages $194/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,472)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Homes cost $39k less ($343,000 vs $382,100)
Cooler summers — July highs near 100°F vs 106°F
Cons
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Median income trails Tempe by $4,699/yr
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Tempe
Tempe, AZ
Pros
27% less violent crime than Redding
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 57°F
Households earn $4,699 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Redding
Cons
Violent crime (470.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Property crime (2893.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $382,100
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Median Home Value
$39k less
$343,000 vs $382,100
Tempe
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 99.9 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Tempe
Median Income
$4,699
$72,022 vs $67,323/yr
Tempe
Violent Crime
27% lower
470.3 vs 647.8 per 100k
Tempe
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 99.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 99.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $382,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $1,472⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $72,022 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 21.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 16.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% | 93.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Tempe School District (4258) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 181,005 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 29.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 40.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 14.4% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 10.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Tempe's 99.9 (US average = 100).
Tempe is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tempe leads 15 of 23 categories. Redding wins 8 and Tempe wins 15. 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 Tempe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $382,100 median home), income ($67,323 vs $72,022), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Tempe, AZ are about 759 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.