Which is safer, the city or the country?

When it comes to finding the best place for you and your family to live, safety should always be a priority.

If you're trying to decide between living in the city or the country, you might be curious as to which is safer. It might seem logical that the quiet countryside is safer than a busy city, but a recent study suggests both settings have their challenges.

Translation? Homeowners and residents in both locations have a responsibility to take the proper precautions and support their families and communities.

According to a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine and reported on by Time.com's Ecocentric blog, the risk of injury or death from either crime or accidents is a full 20% greater in the countryside than in the city.

For example, auto accidents were found to be significantly higher in the country, a factor primarily attributed to the longer distances country-dwellers must travel in their cars. On the other hand, cities fell short in the category of financial safety: The study suggests city-dwellers are much more likely to be victims of identity theft than country-dwellers.

This doesn't mean you should make plans to flee either the country or the city. It simply points to the fact that safety is about preparation. Whether learning city streets or navigating rural roads, always keep safety in mind!