Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Waco, TX
🏆 Waco leads 15 of 23 categories
Redding
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,323 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High
Population
93,327
Waco
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,421
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
140,545 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Households earn $19,902 more per year on average
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 12% higher than Waco
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.5%)
Waco, TX
Pros
Homes cost $169k less ($174,100 vs $343,000)
34% less violent crime than Redding
Rent averages $240/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,278)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.5%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Redding
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Cons
Median income trails Redding by $19,902/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Median Income
$19,902
$67,323 vs $47,421/yr
Redding
Summer Heat
5.4°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 94.5°F
Waco
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Waco
Violent Crime
34% lower
425.9 vs 647.8 per 100k
Waco
Median Home Value
$169k less
$174,100 vs $343,000
Waco
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.5% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High | $174,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 | $1,038 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 ✓ Higher | $47,421 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 17.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 7.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 101⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 27.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 85.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | WACO ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F | 58.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 94.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 38.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 140,545 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 28.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 47.3% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 12.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Waco's 90.8 (US average = 100).
Waco is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Waco leads 15 of 23 categories. Redding wins 8 and Waco 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 Waco or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $174,100 median home), income ($67,323 vs $47,421), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Waco, TX are about 1,531 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.