Is Gardner or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gardner is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 76/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 54% 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: San Diego is 65.2x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardner, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gardner | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 948.9 | 2,082.4 | -1,133.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.8 | 412.4 | -83.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 28.2 | 21.4 | +6.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.7 | 77.4 | -72.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 295.9 | 310.9 | -15.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 620.1 | 1,670.0 | -1,050.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 89.3 | 187.4 | -98.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 474.5 | 1,087.1 | -612.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.4 | 395.5 | -339.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardner or San Diego safer?
Gardner is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gardner has a violent crime rate of 328.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. 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 San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.