CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Redding, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Redding
100.7
overall index
$1,600/mo rent

Redding is slightly cheaper than Boulder — 4.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $76,600 in Redding. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing43.1%
Boulder
157
Redding
89.4
🛒 Groceries+9.5%
Boulder
96.1
Redding
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Boulder
104.8
Redding
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Boulder
94.8
Redding
95.3
Utilities+90.7%
Boulder
82.7
Redding
157.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boulder to see what you'd need to earn in Redding to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Redding, CA
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Redding

Formula: salary × (100.7 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9572. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Redding, CA

Median Home Price
$362,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
89.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Boulder has 43.1% lower housing costs compared to Redding.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Redding, CA

Median Household Income
$75,900
Per Capita Income
$43,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
91,305
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Redding, CA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.