Rows tagged local are specific to Gardner (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Worcester, MA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district Gardner · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
103.0
metro-area
#161 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
98.8
metro-area
#155 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.86
metro-area
#161 of 200 metros
Median household income
$56,974
local
#2738 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$39,172
local
#2209 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
40.3 years
metro-area
#152 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
39.0%
metro-area
#50 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
13.8%
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
65.7%
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.41%
local
#2422 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+2.9%
local
#1699 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$243,900
local
#958 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.3×
local
#1941 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.8%
metro-area
#92 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$144
local
#1102 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,041
local
#522 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,014
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.5%
state
#148 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.25%
state
#29 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
9.00%
Capital gains tax
9.00%
state
#160 of 200 metros
High earners
4% surtax on income over ~$1M (the 'Fair Share'/millionaires tax)
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.51%
local
#2330 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,679
local
#1616 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.8 years
metro-area
#38 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$8,200
state
#193 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
3.2%
metro-area
#2 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
93
metro-area
#26 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$21,000
state
#197 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$60
state
#19 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.25% of value (~$630/yr)
state
#181 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
1
Avg commute to work
32 min
local
#2499 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
71.8%
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
44.5%
metro-area
#182 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
29.4¢/kWh
state
#166 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$265
state
#166 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#94 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$108
state
#198 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$71
state
#25 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,800
state
#100 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#41 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
93.5 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
37
metro-area
#16 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
87%
state
#151 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,600
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
2
metro-area
#6 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
49.2"
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
330
state
#43 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,100
state
#3 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
19
metro-area
#174 of 200 metros
Parks
19
Hiking areas
1
Golf courses
6
Shooting ranges
3
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#147 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.