Is Boston or Gardner Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gardner is safer than Boston (Safety Score 76/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 64% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gardner has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 31.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardner — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Gardner, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Gardner | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 948.9 | +1,700.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 328.8 | +299.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 28.2 | -2.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 4.7 | +121.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 295.9 | +176.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 620.1 | +1,401.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 89.3 | +88.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 474.5 | +1,213.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 56.4 | +100.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Gardner safer?
Gardner is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Gardner has 328.8. Gardner has lower violent crime.
About Boston, MA
Boston, a city steeped in American Revolution history, sits on Massachusetts Bay. This densely populated urban center is home to a diverse population and numerous universities. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 659,049, Boston has a total crime rate of 2,649.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Gardner, MA
Gardner, the "Chair City," is a small city in northern Worcester County, historically renowned for its furniture industry. Its population of around 21,000 residents is predominantly white, with a median age in the early 40s. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 21,288, Gardner has a total crime rate of 948.9 per 100,000 residents.