Is Gardner or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Gardner (Safety Score 100/100 vs 76/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 949 for Gardner — 98% lower. Gardner has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Worcester is 10.0x 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
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardner, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gardner | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 948.9 | 16.5 | +932.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.8 | 16.5 | +312.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 28.2 | 0.0 | +28.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.7 | 0.9 | +3.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 295.9 | 8.0 | +287.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 620.1 | 0.0 | +620.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 89.3 | 0.0 | +89.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 474.5 | 0.0 | +474.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.4 | 0.0 | +56.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardner or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 949 for Gardner — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gardner has a violent crime rate of 328.8 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester 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 Worcester, MA
Worcester, a city of hills in Central Massachusetts, boasts a rich industrial past, home to the first American-made Valentine's Day cards. It's the second-most populous city in New England outside of Boston. With a safety score of 100/100 and a population coverage of 212,425, Worcester has a total crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 residents.