While metropolitan areas are often perceived as more dangerous due to the higher number of incidents recorded, a closer look reveals a nuanced picture. By examining the rate of crime per 100,000 population, we find that regional areas actually have a higher incidence rate.
Although the total number of crimes in metro areas is greater, the likelihood of encountering crime on a per-person basis is higher in regional areas. This counterintuitive insight underscores the importance of considering both absolute numbers and rates when evaluating crime statistics.