Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 Toms River leads 12 of 23 categories
Redding
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327 ✓ Larger
Toms River
New Jersey
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Rent averages $314/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,592)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Toms River
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 42°F
Cons
Median income trails Toms River by $24,689/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Toms River, NJ
Pros
79% less violent crime than Redding
Households earn $24,689 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 100°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Redding
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Median Home Value
$13k less
$343,000 vs $356,100
Redding
Summer Heat
14.4°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 85.5°F
Toms River
Median Income
$24,689
$92,012 vs $67,323/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
79% lower
134.3 vs 647.8 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $356,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% | 93.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer | 41.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" ✓ Less | 23.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 80.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 18.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Redding is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Toms River leads 12 of 23 categories. Redding wins 11 and Toms River wins 12. 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 Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $356,100 median home), income ($67,323 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Toms River, NJ are about 2,507 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.