Is Cambridge or Gardner Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Gardner is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 77/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 69% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Gardner has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 5.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardner — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Gardner, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Gardner | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 948.9 | +2,132.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 328.8 | +107.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 28.2 | +5.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 4.7 | +86.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 295.9 | +15.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 620.1 | +2,024.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 89.3 | +147.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 474.5 | +1,848.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 56.4 | +28.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Gardner safer?
Gardner is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Gardner has 328.8. Gardner has lower violent crime.
About Cambridge, MA
Nestled across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is a vibrant intellectual hub home to Harvard University. Its youthful, highly educated population, with a median age around 30, contributes to its dynamic character. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 120,447, Cambridge has a total crime rate of 3,081.0 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 77/100 and a population coverage of 21,288, Gardner has a total crime rate of 948.9 per 100,000 residents.