Gardner, MA vs Norwalk, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Gardner
66.9
#1484 nationally
Norwalk
63.4
#1771 nationally
Norwalk leads in median household income ($91,259 vs $56,974). Norwalk leads in walk score (61 vs 39). Gardner leads in cost of living index (109 vs 152).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gardner, MA | Norwalk, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.9 (#1484) | 63.4 (#1771) |
| Population | 20,974 | 98,078 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $379,602 | $763,397 |
| Median Household Income | $56,974 | $91,259 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 29.5 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 9.0 | 10.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 152 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.0 | D+32.9 |
D
66.9 Score
Gardner, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$379,602
Population
20,974
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
Northeast
View Gardner, MA →
D
63.4 Score
Norwalk, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$763,397
Population
98,078
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Norwalk, CA →