Massachusetts Living Index
Gardner
Central MA · pop. 21,287
Chair City and home of Mount Wachusett Community College, sitting on the high ground between the Connecticut and Nashua river basins.
Outdoors & TrailsCommuter Value
Livability Index
68
/ 100
Ranks #53 of 194 MA towns
The numbers
Median home
$302k
4.5× household income
Household income
$68k
ACS median
Commute to Boston
75 min
peak driving
Population
21,287
5-yr trend 55/100
How Gardner scores
Schools
73
Safety
73
Walkability
42
Transit
18
Biking
25
Dining
80
Nightlife
80
Arts & Culture
77
Green Space
78
Diversity
87
Climate
68
The honest read
Best for
Outdoor buyers chasing the cheapest livable city in Central MA with real trail access.
The tradeoff
Population is flat, schools are mid-tier, and Boston is a 75-minute drive.
Compare on your terms
These scores reflect a neutral weighting. Your priorities are not neutral. Open the full atlas to tune schools, walkability, affordability, commute, and seven more dimensions, and see where Gardner lands for you.
Nearby towns
Bordering and adjacent Massachusetts towns near Gardner.
Popular comparisons
Common head‑to‑heads people search when looking at Gardner.
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