Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Redding, CA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Redding leads 17 of 23 categories
Redding
California
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,327
Washington
District of Columbia
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Redding, CA
Pros
Homes cost $362k less ($343,000 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $539/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,817)
30% less violent crime than Washington
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 45°F
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $34,399/yr
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $34,399 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 100°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Redding
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Violent Crime
30% lower
647.8 vs 925.9 per 100k
Redding
Median Home Value
$362k less
$343,000 vs $705,000
Redding
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.1% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
10.1°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 89.8°F
Washington
Median Income
$34,399
$101,722 vs $67,323/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Redding, CA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,278 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,323 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.8% ✓ Higher | 92.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Redding Elementary | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer | 89.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.7" ✓ Less | 9.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,327 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.8 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 19.4% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Redding's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Redding is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 17 of 23 categories. Redding wins 17 and Washington wins 6. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($343,000 vs $705,000 median home), income ($67,323 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Redding, CA and Washington, DC are about 2,385 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.