Is Gardner or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gardner is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 76/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 70% lower. Gardner has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gardner has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 78.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gardner — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardner, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gardner | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 948.9 | 3,125.4 | -2,176.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.8 | 800.0 | -471.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 28.2 | 64.3 | -36.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.7 | 181.6 | -176.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 295.9 | 545.3 | -249.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 620.1 | 2,325.3 | -1,705.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 89.3 | 317.2 | -227.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 474.5 | 1,582.1 | -1,107.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.4 | 426.0 | -369.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardner or Phoenix safer?
Gardner is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gardner has a violent crime rate of 328.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Gardner has lower violent crime.
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.
About Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.