comparison essay rural and urban life

Urban Life vs. Rural Life

Living in cities or the countryside gives different experiences. These are changed by things like how people live, buildings and community activities. Life in the city is famous for its quick-moving lifestyle, modern setup and different ways people live together. Living in the countryside is marked by a slow speed, basic design and tight-knit groups of people who are often similar. In social life, too, cities do better when they have a lot of different people and things happening all the time.

On the other hand, rural areas are good at having close friends in smaller groups. People living in cities have many services, while those in the country might need help getting some facilities. They sometimes need to travel for specific needs. The piece will look closer at these differences. It will show extraordinary things about living in a city and countryside life better.

In cities, people with different backgrounds live close to each other and share thoughts. This creates a busy environment with many social talks (Woolrych et al. 2021). The busy city life gives us energy for our everyday tasks. On the contrary, life in the rural areas is known for tight-knit groups. Here, people often have strong ties and share common beliefs. The strong connections in small towns make their society closer and more connected.

Urban and rural areas have very different levels of access to facilities. Cities, being full of life and energy, offer many services. Some are high-quality healthcare, while others include many fun activities. This city environment meets the different needs and likes of a mixed group of people. On the other hand, some services might be available in rural areas. People there must make trips for essential things like doctor visits or cultural events (Dey et al., 2020). This shows a balance between living in the city, where items are easy to get, and the peacefulness of country life, where some help might need extra work or going places.

Looking at how fast everyday life goes is also very important. Usually, people in cities have fast-paced schedules because of job opportunities and many events. The city’s constant excitement, work choices and possibilities make an exciting life that needs change and quick thinking (Kayanan, 2022). On the other hand, life in rural areas is slower and focuses on nature and simplicity. Living away from the city is suitable for a peaceful family life, where your community plays an important daily role.

Picking between living in a city or the countryside depends on what someone likes and thinks is important. Towns are full of choices and helpers for people who want busy places with all sorts of folks. On the other hand, living in the country provides a calm place with solid ties to neighbours. This attracts people who like quiet lives and want to be more linked up with nature. The choice shows what one believes in, balancing the fun and ease of living in cities against a peaceful life with close friends found outside.

Whether I used the point-by-point or block method

I decided to use the block plan for my essay. I carefully divided topics of social life, facilities and everyday speed in urban and rural areas. I could deeply look at each part separately for both places. Separating these critical parts with the block method made it simpler to see how city and country life are different in a transparent way. This made my reasons more understandable and helped make my essay easier for readers to read. This allowed the people to get familiar with extraordinary things about each place and compare them all together.

Ways in which writing a comparison/contrast essay differs from the Narrative essay in Touchstone 1

To make a comparison/contrast essay, one needs to sort details differently than when writing a story. I focused on telling a tale in time order in the story-writing piece. This included events from my viewpoint. Meanwhile, the comparison/contrast essay needed a more careful way. This involved carefully studying what is similar and different. Switching from telling a story to giving an unbiased review made the two essays very different.

Part of the draft that I struggled with

While writing, I faced some trouble smoothly connecting ideas between paragraphs. Making sure the thoughts flowed well and stayed clear when going from city to countryside themes was a bit tricky. I had to carefully create each transition to ensure readers could easily follow the switch without confusion. Also, finding the right amount of detail for each point without making it too much for the reader was an ongoing challenge. It took a few revisions for clarity and brevity to get it right.

Dey, B., Mathew, J., & Chee-Hua, C. (2020). Influence of destination attractiveness factors and travel motivations on rural homestay choice: the moderating role of need for uniqueness. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 14(4), 639-666. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJCTHR-08-2019-0138/full/html

Kayanan, C. M. (2022). A critique of innovation districts: Entrepreneurial living and the burden of shouldering urban development. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 54(1), 50-66. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0308518X211049445

Woolrych, R., Sixsmith, J., Fisher, J., Makita, M., Lawthom, R., & Murray, M. (2021). Constructing and negotiating social participation in old age: experiences of older adults living in urban environments in the United Kingdom. Ageing & Society, 41(6), 1398-1420. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ageing-and-society/article/constructing-and-negotiating-social-participation-in-old-age-experiences-of-older-adults-living-in-urban-environments-in-the-united-kingdom/DFF7BE01F8E4D6766B6E252FA6B9F8FF

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Urban Versus Rural Areas: Compare and Contrast

Introduction, comparison of life in urban and rural areas, reference list.

There has been series of questions on the quality of having a superior or more favourable living condition or position between the rural and urban existence. However, High social status is the most important cardinal concern in the relation based on similarities and differences between rural versus urban course of human events and activities.

Despite the statement of facts and reasons used to support whichever locality as conducive and a better place to reside. Although, having qualities or abilities that merit recognition in some way there is comparison between the similarity and difference of both the urban and rural existence, and of great significance or value are the aspects of choosing or selecting the most suitable locality, noticeable heterogeneity, the state of being free of physical or psychological disease, illness, or malfunction, and the state of being employed or having a job manipulates both aspects of the comparison and even though, there is a mutual great advantages of living condition in both the rural and urban area, moreover, they both have an apparent same quantity, value, or measured amount of negative aspects.

In general, both the rural and urban areas are similar in status with respect to the relations between people or groups relations but hold opposing views in the issues of choice and multiplicity.

Consequently, the life in urban areas has quite a number of optimistic in addition to the pessimistic issues which provide a particular quality or character of the standard of living.

In spite of this, the life in the urban area creates avenue for diversity and choice compared to that of the rural area, for the fact that in the urban area there is wider choice variety on the standard of living and opportunities to explore from various options open to people.

For example, in the urban area, there is various choice of food which could show the way to general better health because of the assortment in diet.

In addition, the inhabitants of the urban areas benefit from the favourable possibility due to a combination of circumstances of accommodating various cultural or social events because of the diversity of choice compared to their rural counterparts. Consequently, they are more civilized and exposed to different culture and ethnicity within ethnic group.

In spite of this, there are various and wide choice of educational institutions, both in the private and public school district in the urban area compared to the rural area and this tend to or result in the possibility of an enhanced schooling.

Moreover, it is worthwhile noting that there is choice of employment alternative prospect due to the large number of businesses or establishments in the urban areas than the rural areas (Kottak, 2006, p.37). Besides this, the urban dwellers have more improved and equipped health care sectors and there is easy access to them compared to the rural dwellers.

Accordingly, human creativity Shine intensely in the urban areas more than the rural area (Hall, 1998, p.15). For a span of 1000 years, the urban areas have been the place where some particular activity is concentrated and the choice of business-related, technological progress, social relationships involving authority or power and ethnical life, thereby inducing into action by using its charm upon the whole country and areas.

The incontrovertible and advancement in severity characteristic to be considered of urban area compelling recognition by economic expert and historiographers contrast with the negative situation and the effect that it has on people and public health. Partly this evolves from a latent or potential state from the iconic point located with respect to surface features of the urban region on the ground that makes the urban area comprehensible by describing the relevant structure, operation or circumstances of poor health.

Research was conducted in Canada and showed that, “populations in the rural showed poorer health than the others in urban, both in general health gauges (i.e. infant mortality, standardized mortality, life expectancy at birth) and also in factors like motor vehicle accidents, being overweight not withstanding” (Mollenkopf, 2005, p.65). Less dependence on vehicles in urban areas may possibly be the consequence of as well as greater importance on walking. However, there are a several drawbacks to living in urban also.

Determining how urbanization affects poverty is essential and coloured by the reality that about one third of the people living in urban areas reside in slums (Sclar et al, 2005, p.901). These impoverished areas are typified by the poor physical and mental health conditions of their inhabitants and by inadequate services. Although some gains have been made on the public health front in urban areas, the benefits are clearly not universal, with urban slums matching some rural mortality and morbidity rates (Sclar et al, 2005, p.902).

However, as cities make good on their promise of better socioeconomic conditions, they can contribute to a downturn in the epidemic. Today, cities generally account for a much larger share of national economic production and have much greater potential than rural areas for reducing poverty and fulfilling aspirations (UNFPA, 2007)

In addition, the absence of daily stress experienced in cities from peripheral factors is a vital issue ((Mollenkopf, 2005, p.70). In as much as the rural area has minimal number of grocery stores and recreation centres, most people in the rural areas have vast lands which are of immense importance and usage. Urban areas theoretically offer more opportunities to deal with a changing population composition, but these would have to be materialized, in the practice, through better policies on a wide front.

Increases in the proportion of the rural population composed of older people have raised concerns about their wellbeing. On the one hand, rural dwellers in developing countries tend to be more vulnerable than the urban counterpart because of their higher incidence of poverty, greater transportation problems, and lack of access to social services and infrastructure (Montgomery, McGranahan, and Martine, 2008, p.262).

Living in rural areas however has its negative aspects too. Unlike urban areas, residents in the rural areas have no vast opportunities of choosing from different employment opportunities for they are not as many in the rural areas as they are in the urban setting. In other words, if there is any statement to be made, rural living has the best worth of life. There is a better ability of hooking up with people and the landscape. Although, the living standard of both the urban and rural area is comparable because they both entails an elevated level of adoption of the behaviour patterns of the surrounding culture. The inky difference is when it comes to the accessibility of choices and diversity, in particular when fundamental factors (healthcare, education, and employment options) are concerned.

Hall, P . (1998). Cities in Civilization – Culture, Innovation, and Urban Order. London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson.

Kottak, C., P. (2006). Anthropology : the exploration of human diversity. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill Higher Education.

Mollenkopf, H. (2005). Enhancing mobility in later life. Amsterdam, The Netherland: IOS Press.

Montgomery, M., McGranahan, G., and Martine, G. (2008). The new global frontier: urbanization, poverty and environment in the 21st century. London: IIED.

Scalar, E. D., Garau, P. and Carolini, G. (2005). ‘The 21st century health challenge of slums and cities’ , The Lancet. 365, no 9462. 901-902.

UNFPA (2007). The State of the World’s Population 2007: Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth. New York, NY: UNFPA.

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Essay on City Life Vs Village Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay on city life vs village life.

Village life reflects the rural lifestyle and city life shows the urban lifestyle. Life in both rural and urban areas has its own plus points and problems. One is quite different from each other. Traditionally, India is a predominantly rural country as Mahatma Gandhi had said, “The real India lives in villages”. Though India is mainly a land of villages, there are many cities as well in the country. Life in these big cities is quite different from life in a village. Let us consider, in brief, life in a big city and point out some of its important advantages and disadvantages.

Comparison: City life Vs Village life

The facility of education.

In big cities, there are good arrangements for education. The big college even universities are available. There are also a very large number of school both government and private in the big city. These arrangements do not exist in small towns and villages.

Medical Facility

Cities also provide sufficient medical facilities. Almost in every city, there are good hospitals in which the poor get free medicines and treatment. Many qualified doctors are also there to serve the sick and the suffering. Indeed lack of such medical arrangement is the main drawback of villages.

Amusement and Recreation

Cities also provide many opportunities for amusement and recreation. In every city, there are a number of cinema houses and multiplexes, where we can enjoy with family. Also, a number of restaurants and hotels are available for better food of variety. There are also many parks and gardens where we can enjoy the best natural beauty. Villages are always lacking such facilities.

The Opportunity of Employment

The most important advantages of cities are the availability of huge opportunity for employment . They are centers of trade and commerce as well as offices of many multinational companies . Persons with different qualifications can easily find jobs to suit them. In villages, employment is available mostly in farming. Due to farming, only seasonal jobs are available to a large population in villages.

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Mixed Culture

Cities are having a variety of people from various cultures. But real India and its customs are highly visible in villages.

Natural Environment

It is fact villages are always natural due to be their self-creation by nature. On the other hand, most cities are manmade. Hence the natural environment of villages is their main attraction. In villages only we may have the charms of birds and flowers or the beauty of the day-dawn.

Pollution and Adulteration

City life is extremely unhealthy due to air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution . The people are not getting fresh air to breathe or the clear sky to enjoy the sunshine. Also, food in the cities is dirty, unhealthy and adulterated. The villages are very much away from such drawbacks.

Population and Other Issues

In city life is very costly. People have to live with a lot of pomp and show. A simple life as in the villages is almost impossible in the city. Besides, the cities are over-crowded and it is very hard for people to get suitable accommodation. People in the city do not have much sympathy with others even with neighbors. The sympathy and close interdependence which is marked in the village’s life is entirely lacking in the city.

Thus, life in villages and in cities presents two contrasting pictures. There are positive as well as negative aspects of both. Therefore it is up to the individual to make the most of it irrespective of the rural or urban setting that one lives in. I, myself, like to live in a village in the close vicinity of a modern city so that I can enjoy the pleasures both of the city and the village.

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What is the difference between urban and rural life?

As a travel writer, I often find myself exploring the differences between urban and rural areas. These two types of environments offer unique experiences and lifestyles, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, I will delve into the contrasts between urban and rural life, providing insights from my own observations and research.

Urban Life: Vibrant and Dynamic

Living in an urban area, such as a city, suburb, or town, offers a multitude of benefits. Urban areas are characterized by their extensive development and access to modern infrastructure and connectivity, including airports, ports, railways, housing, and roads. The high population density and abundance of human structures, such as houses, commercial buildings, and bridges, contribute to the fast-paced and vibrant atmosphere of urban life.

One of the main advantages of urban living is the wide range of employment opportunities available. Urban areas tend to have a diverse job market, with various industries, businesses, and organizations. This can translate to better career prospects and higher salaries for urban dwellers.

Urban areas also boast better access to public services, including healthcare, education, and transportation. There are usually more schools, universities, hospitals, and transportation networks in urban areas, making it easier for residents to access these essential services. Additionally, urban areas often offer a plethora of cultural activities, entertainment options, and recreational facilities, providing residents with a vibrant social life.

Rural Life: Serene and Close-Knit Communities

On the other hand, rural areas are characterized by their lower population density and limited development in terms of infrastructure. Living in a rural area often means being surrounded by nature, with picturesque landscapes, open spaces, and fresh air. Rural communities are often closely knit, with residents enjoying a sense of community and belonging.

One of the main advantages of rural living is the lower cost of living. Compared to urban areas, the cost of housing, utilities, and daily expenses tends to be lower in rural areas. This can lead to a more affordable lifestyle and financial stability for rural residents. Additionally, rural areas often have a slower pace of life and less stress compared to the hustle and bustle of urban areas.

However, rural communities also face challenges. Access to quality healthcare services can be limited, with fewer hospitals and medical professionals in rural areas. Public transportation options may be lackluster, making it harder for individuals without private vehicles to get around. Moreover, rural areas may have poor infrastructure, including roads and internet connectivity. Educational attainment can also be lower in rural areas due to limited access to schools and universities.

FAQs about Urban and Rural Life

1. Is it better to live in a city or in the countryside?

Both urban and rural living have their advantages and disadvantages. It ultimately depends on individual preferences and priorities. Urban areas offer more opportunities, access to services, and cultural activities, while rural areas provide a sense of community and closer connection to nature.

2. What are the main differences between urban and rural areas?

Urban areas have higher population densities, better access to infrastructure and amenities, and a greater variety of job opportunities. Rural areas, on the other hand, have lower population densities, a lower cost of living, and a stronger sense of community.

3. Is rural life healthier than urban life?

There are pros and cons to both rural and urban life when it comes to health. Rural areas may have lower pollution levels and a slower-paced lifestyle, which can contribute to better overall health. However, rural areas often lack access to quality healthcare services, which can be a disadvantage.

4. Why do people choose to live in rural areas?

Some people choose to live in rural areas to enjoy a slower pace of life, closer proximity to nature, and a stronger sense of community. Others appreciate the lower cost of living and the opportunity to have more space and privacy.

5. Are urban areas safer than rural areas?

Crime rates can vary between urban and rural areas, but it is not accurate to generalize that urban areas are less safe. While urban areas may have higher crime rates due to a larger population, rural areas may experience lower rates of certain types of crimes. Safety can vary depending on specific locations and circumstances.

6. What challenges do rural areas face?

Rural communities often face challenges such as limited access to healthcare, fewer job opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and lower educational attainment. These factors can contribute to disparities in quality of life between rural and urban areas.

7. Can you have the best of both worlds?

Yes, it is possible to experience the best of both urban and rural life. Some people choose to live in suburban areas, which offer the convenience and amenities of urban areas while still providing a quieter and more spacious environment. Additionally, individuals can choose to work in urban areas while living in rural areas, enjoying the benefits of both lifestyles.

8. How can travelers experience both urban and rural environments?

Travelers can plan their trips to incorporate both urban and rural destinations. They can explore vibrant cities, visit cultural landmarks, and experience the energy of urban life. At the same time, they can venture into rural areas, hike through scenic landscapes, and immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature. This way, they can gain a deeper understanding of the differences and similarities between urban and rural life.

In conclusion, urban and rural areas offer distinct lifestyles and experiences. Urban areas boast advanced infrastructure, employment opportunities, and access to services, while rural areas provide a sense of community, lower cost of living, and closeness to nature. Each has its own advantages and challenges, and the choice between the two depends on individual preferences and priorities. Whether one prefers the fast-paced vibrancy of urban life or the serene tranquility of rural living, both environments have their own charm and allure. So, why not embrace the best of both worlds and explore the contrasts between urban and rural life?

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What Unites and Divides Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities

Amid widening gaps in politics and demographics, Americans in urban, suburban and rural areas share many aspects of community life

Table of contents.

1. Demographic and economic trends in urban, suburban and rural communities
2. Urban, suburban and rural residents’ views on key social and political issues
3. How people in urban, suburban and rural communities see each other – and say others see them
4. Views of problems facing urban, suburban and rural communities
5. Americans’ satisfaction with and attachment to their communities
6. How urban, suburban and rural residents interact with their neighbors
7. Life satisfaction and social support in different communities
Acknowledgments
Methodology
Appendix: Additional tables and maps

Large demographic shifts are reshaping America. The country is growing in numbers, it’s becoming more racially and ethnically diverse and the population is aging. But according to a new analysis by Pew Research Center, these trends are playing out differently across community types.

Urban areas are at the leading edge of racial and ethnic change, with nonwhites now a clear majority of the population in urban counties while solid majorities in suburban and rural areas are white. Urban and suburban counties are gaining population due to an influx of immigrants in both types of counties, as well as domestic migration into suburban areas. In contrast, rural counties have made only minimal gains since 2000 as the number of people leaving for urban or suburban areas has outpaced the number moving in. And while the population is graying in all three types of communities, this is happening more rapidly in the suburbs than in urban and rural counties.

At the same time, urban and rural communities are becoming increasingly different from each other politically . Adults in urban counties, long aligned with the Democratic Party, have moved even more to the left in recent years, and today twice as many urban voters identify as Democrats or lean Democratic as affiliate with the Republican Party. For their part, rural adults have moved more firmly into the Republican camp. More than half (54%) of rural voters now identify with or lean to the GOP, while 38% are Democrats or lean Democratic.

Against this backdrop, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that many urban and rural residents feel misunderstood and looked down on by Americans living in other types of communities. About two-thirds or more in urban and rural areas say people in other types of communities don’t understand the problems people face in their communities. And majorities of urban and rural residents say people who don’t live in their type of community have a negative view of those who do. In contrast, most suburbanites say people who don’t live in the suburbs have a positive view of those who do.

In exploring the attitudes, experiences and changing demographics of Americans in different types of communities, this report relies on two distinct approaches to defining urban, suburban and rural areas. For the analysis of findings from the new Pew Research Center survey (Chapters 2-7 of the report), references to urban, suburban and rural communities are based on respondents’ answer to the following question: “How would you describe the community where you currently live? (1) urban, (2) suburban, (3) rural.”

The analysis of how urban, suburban and rural communities are changing along demographic lines (Chapter 1), based on U.S. Census Bureau data, relies on county-level classifications created by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In determining how to draw the lines between “urban,” “suburban” and “rural” communities, Pew Research Center consulted a series of social scientists with expertise in this area. To be sure, there are many ways – and no one right way – to classify communities. Because the survey explored issues related to how Americans are experiencing life in their local communities, including how they relate to their neighbors and how attached they feel to their communities, we settled on a definition based on people’s description of the area where they live.

The classification based on counties used in the analysis of census data makes it more challenging to speak to the specific localities where Americans live, but it has the advantage of allowing for the data to be more easily linked among government data sources to analyze changes over time across the country.

The divides that exist across urban, suburban and rural areas when it comes to views on social and political issues don’t necessarily extend to how people are experiencing life in different types of communities. Rural and suburban adults are somewhat more rooted in their local areas, but substantial shares in cities, suburbs and rural areas say they have lived in their communities for more than 10 years. And about six-in-ten in each type of community say they feel at least some sense of attachment to their communities, though relatively few say they are very attached.

For adults who currently live in or near the place where they grew up – roughly half in rural areas and about four-in-ten in cities and suburbs – family ties stand out as the most important reason why they have never left or why they moved back after living away. And, when it comes to their interactions with neighbors, urban, suburban and rural residents are about equally likely to say they communicate with them on a regular basis.

In addition, urban and rural residents share some of the same concerns. Roughly equal shares of urban (50%) and rural (46%) residents say that drug addiction is a major problem in their local community. When it comes to the availability of jobs, rural adults are somewhat more likely to say this is a major problem where they live (42% say so), but a substantial share of urban dwellers (34%) say the same, significantly higher than the share in suburban communities (22%). Other problems – such as access to affordable housing in cities and access to public transportation in rural areas – are felt more acutely in some areas than in others.

The nationally representative survey of 6,251 adults was conducted online Feb. 26-March 11, 2018, using Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel . 1 It explores the attitudes and experiences of Americans in urban, suburban and rural areas, including their views on key social and political issues, how they see people in other types of communities, and how they’re living out their lives in their local communities. The survey sheds light on what divides and unites Americans across community types as well as on differences within urban, suburban and rural areas – sometimes driven by partisanship, sometimes by demographics. The study also includes a detailed analysis of demographic trends in urban, rural and suburban counties. Among the report’s key findings:

There are significant gaps in measures of economic well-being in urban, suburban and rural counties

In addition to the divergent demographic trends taking place in urban, suburban and rural communities, the analysis finds that rural counties lag behind their urban and suburban counterparts when it comes to some measures related to economic well-being. The average earnings per worker in urban areas were $49,515 in 2016, followed by $46,081 in the suburbs and $35,171 in rural areas, though these figures don’t account for differences in living costs across county types. And while the number of employed adults ages 25 to 54 rose in urban and suburban counties since 2000, it declined in rural counties overall.

When it comes to the number of people living in poverty, however, the suburbs have seen much sharper increases since 2000 than urban or rural counties – a 51% increase, compared with 31% in cities and 23% in rural areas. Overall, the poverty rate is somewhat higher in rural (18%) and urban (17%) areas than in suburban (14%) counties.

Rural Americans, especially those without a college degree, are less optimistic about their financial future

Majorities of Americans in urban (68%), suburban (59%) and rural (62%) communities say they don’t currently have enough income to lead the kind of life they want. But while about half of those in cities (46%) and suburbs (49%) who say this is the case believe they will have enough income in the future, rural residents are less optimistic: 63% of adults in rural areas who say they don’t currently have enough income to lead the kind of life they want don’t expect to in the future, while 36% think they eventually will.

The gap in financial optimism across community types is driven by a marked concern among rural residents without a bachelor’s degree. In rural areas, about a third (34%) of those with some college or less education who say they don’t currently have enough income to lead the kind of life they want think they will in the future; higher shares in cities (44%) and suburbs (46%) say this is the case. In contrast, similar shares of those with a bachelor’s degree or more education in urban (53%), suburban (58%) and rural (53%) areas think they will eventually have enough income to lead the kind of life they want.

Across community types, majorities say rural areas get less than their fair share of federal dollars

About seven-in-ten rural residents (71%), and somewhat narrower majorities in suburban (61%) and urban (57%) communities, say rural areas receive less than their fair share of federal dollars. These views don’t vary considerably across demographic or partisan lines.

When it comes to the amount urban areas receive from the federal government, about half of urban dwellers (49%) say cities receive less than their fair share; only about a third of those in suburbs and rural areas share this view. Across community types, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say urban areas receive less than their fair share, while Republicans are more likely to say these types of communities receive more than their fair share. Similar shares of Democrats and Republicans within each community type say urban areas receive about the right amount of federal dollars.

About six-in-ten rural residents say the values of urban dwellers don’t align with theirs; 53% of urban residents say the same about the values of those in rural areas

Most Americans say people who live in the same type of community as they do generally share their values, but they are less convinced that those in other types of communities do. For example, a majority of rural residents (58%) say the values of most people in urban areas are very or somewhat different from theirs.

Among urban dwellers, 53% see an urban-rural divide on values, while 46% say most people in rural areas have values that are similar to their own. About half in urban and rural areas say most people in suburbs share their values, while suburbanites are somewhat more likely to say most people in rural areas have values that are similar to their own (58%) than to say the same about those in urban areas (51%).

There’s a clear political dimension to these attitudes. For example, majorities of Republicans in urban (64%) and suburban (78%) communities say most people in rural areas share their values, while about six-in-ten Democrats in these communities say the values of most rural residents are different from theirs.

Conversely, Democrats in suburban and rural areas are far more likely than their Republican counterparts to say most people who live in cities share their values. Even among Republicans who live in urban areas, only about half (48%) say most people who live in cities share their values.

Urban and rural Americans differ sharply in their views of some key social and political issues, but in some cases this has more to do with partisanship than geography

Americans in urban and rural communities have widely different views when it comes to social and political issues, including their assessments of President Donald Trump and opinions about race, immigration, same-sex marriage, abortion and the role of government.

In many cases, the differences between urban and rural residents can be attributed to the fact that rural areas tend to have a higher concentration of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, while majorities in urban communities identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party. For example, while urban dwellers are far more likely than their rural counterparts to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, that the government should do more to solve problems, and that whites benefit from advantages in society that black people do not have, these differences shrink when partisanship is taken into account. In other words, Democrats across community types share similar views on these issues, as do Republicans in urban, rural and suburban areas.

On other issues, differences across community types remain, even after controlling for partisanship. Rural Republicans are more likely than Republicans in urban areas to say the legalization of same-sex marriage is a bad thing for society, and they are also more likely to express very positive views of Trump. In turn, Democrats across community types express different views on immigration, with those in urban areas more likely than their rural counterparts to say the growing number of newcomers strengthens American society.

Seven-in-ten urban dwellers – vs. about half in rural areas – say it’s important to them to live in a community that is racially and ethnically diverse

Rural residents are far more likely than their suburban and urban counterparts to say that, as far as they know, all or most of their neighbors are the same race or ethnicity as they are (69% vs. 53% and 43%, respectively). And urban residents place a much higher priority on living in a community that is racially and ethnically diverse than do those in suburban and rural areas: 70% of city dwellers say this is very or somewhat important to them, compared with a narrower majority of those in suburbs (59%) and about half in rural areas (52%).

Across community types, relatively few say all or most of their neighbors share their political views: About a quarter in urban (25%) and rural (24%) communities and 19% in the suburbs say this is the case. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the political makeup of urban and rural communities, majorities of Republicans in cities (59%) and Democrats in rural areas (57%) say only some or none of their neighbors share their political views.

Living among politically like-minded people is not a top priority for most Americans: Only one-in-ten or fewer in urban (10%), suburban (8%) and rural (6%) communities say it is very important to them personally to live in a community where most people share their political views. Still, many say this is at least somewhat important to them (46%, 43% and 38%, respectively).

Urban and rural residents see drug addiction as a top-tier problem in their local community

About half of urban (50%) and rural (46%) adults say drug addiction is a major problem where they live; a smaller but substantial share in the suburbs (35%) say the same about their local community.

Concerns about drug addiction vary significantly along socio-economic lines. Across community types, those without a bachelor’s degree are more likely than those with more education to say drug addiction is a major problem in their local community.

Certain problems are felt more deeply in some types of communities than in others. For example, rural adults are more likely than their urban and suburban counterparts to say access to public transportation and to high-speed internet are major problems. For their part, urban dwellers express greater concern than those in suburban and rural areas about the availability of affordable housing, crime, poverty and the quality of K-12 education in public schools.

About four-in-ten U.S. adults live in or near the community where they grew up

About half of rural residents (47%) say they live in or near the community where they grew up, including about a quarter (26%) who say they have always lived there. Among those in urban and suburban areas, about four-in-ten say they currently live in or near the community where they grew up (42% and 38%, respectively), with about one-in-five in each saying that has always been the case.

In urban, suburban and rural areas, more point to family ties than to any other factor as one of the main reasons why they stayed in the community where they grew up or why they left and later returned. About four-in-ten of those who left and came back (42%) and 35% of those who have lived in or near the same community their entire lives say they have done so to be near family. For both groups, factors related to the quality of life in the community, such as the cost of living, the climate, amenities, schools, or the sense of community, are the second most-cited reasons; 22% of those who left and returned and 17% of those who never left point to these factors.

About half of adults who have always lived in or near the community where they grew up (52%) say all or most of their extended family members live within an hour’s drive from them, compared with 38% of those who moved away and returned, and even smaller shares of those who don’t live in or near the community where they grew up (17%).

Across community types, relatively few say they feel very attached to the community where they live

A majority of Americans (59%) say they feel some attachment to their local community, but only 16% say they feel very attached; 41% say they are not too or not at all attached to the community where they live. Adults in urban, suburban and rural areas report nearly identical levels of attachment to their local community.

In each of the three types of communities, those who have lived in their community for more than a decade and who have made connections with their neighbors are the most likely to feel a sense of attachment. About seven-in-ten adults who have lived in their community more than a decade (69%) say they feel very or somewhat attached to their local community, compared with 54% of those who have lived in their community six to 10 years and 44% of those who have done so less than six years. And while 77% of those who say they know all or most of their neighbors say they feel attached to their local community, a narrower majority of those who know some of their neighbors (55%) and about a third of those who don’t know any of their neighbors (32%) say the same.

Smaller shares of adults in rural areas than in cities and suburbs say they’d like to move away

About a third of U.S. adults (32%) say they would want to move to a different community if they could, while 37% say they would not want to move and 31% aren’t sure. One-in-four rural residents say they would move if given the chance, compared with 37% of those in urban areas and 34% of suburbanites. Among adults younger than 30, however, about an equal share in urban (42%) and rural (39%) areas say they would move if they could; 48% of young adults in the suburbs say the same.

Among those who say they would want to move, many, particularly in suburban and rural areas, say they would like to stay in the same type of community. For example, about four-in-ten adults in the suburbs who would like to move (41%) say they would choose to move to another suburban community. Similarly, 40% of those in rural areas who report they would like to move say they would move to another rural community.

Among urban dwellers who say they would like to move, similar shares say they would like to stay in an urban area (28%) as say they would like to move to a rural community (30%). About four-in-ten (41%) would like to move to the suburbs.

Rural residents are more likely than those in cities or suburbs to say they know all or most of their neighbors, but no more likely to interact with them

Four-in-ten adults in rural communities say they know all or most of their neighbors, compared with 28% in the suburbs and 24% in urban areas. However, among those who know at least some of their neighbors, rural Americans are no more likely than their urban and suburban counterparts to say they interact with them on a regular basis.

About half of adults who know at least some of their neighbors in urban (53%), suburban (49%) and rural (47%) communities say they have face-to-face conversations with a neighbor at least once a week. Other forms of communication, such as exchanging emails or text messages or talking on the phone with neighbors, are less common: About one-in-five or fewer in urban, rural and suburban areas say this happens at least once a week.

Americans are generally trusting of their neighbors, but those in suburban and rural areas are more so. For example, about six-in-ten of those in the suburbs (62%) and in rural communities (61%) say they have a neighbor they would trust with a set of keys to their home, compared with about half (48%) in urban areas.

There is little variation among those living in different types of communities in the share reporting they have social support, feel optimistic about their lives or feel lonely. And the idea that life in the city feels more hectic than life in the country is not borne out by the data – only about one-in-ten urban, suburban and rural residents say they always or almost always feel they are too busy to enjoy their lives.

For the analysis of findings from the new Pew Research Center survey (Chapters 2-7 of the report), references to “urban,” “suburban” and “rural” are based on respondents’ answer to the following question: “How would you describe the community where you currently live? (1) urban, (2) suburban, (3) rural.”

The analysis of how urban, suburban and rural communities are changing along demographic lines (Chapter 1), based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, relies on county-level classifications created by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Throughout the report, the terms “urban” and “city” are used interchangeably.

All references to party affiliation include those who lean toward that party: Republicans include those who identify as Republicans and independents who say they lean toward the Republican Party, and Democrats include those who identify as Democrats and independents who say they lean toward the Democratic Party.

References to Millennials include adults who are ages 22 to 37 in 2018. Generation Xers include those who are ages 38 to 53, Baby Boomers include those who are 54 to 72 and members of the Silent Generation include those ages 73 to 90.

References to college graduates or people with a college degree comprise those with a bachelor’s degree or more. “Some college” includes those with an associate degree and those who attended college but did not obtain a degree. “High school” refers to those who have a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a General Education Development (GED) certificate.

References to whites, blacks and Asians include only those who are non-Hispanic and identify as only one race. Hispanics are of any race. Nonwhites include blacks, Hispanics, other races and people who identify with more than one race.

“Upper class” refers to those who said they belong in the upper or upper-middle classes. “Lower class” refers to those who said they belong in the lower or lower-middle classes.

The survey includes an oversample of adults living in rural areas. For more details, see the Methodology section of the report. ↩

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Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Urban and Rural

Another important difference between the two human settlements is that while urban areas are highly populated, rural areas have comparatively less population than the urban ones. Take a read of this article, in which we’ve compiled the important point to distinguish the two.

Content: Urban Vs Rural

Comparison chart.

Basis for Comparison	Urban	Rural
Meaning	A settlement where the population is very high and has the features of a built environment, is known as urban.	An area located in the outskirts, is known as rural.
Includes	Cities and towns	Villages and hamlet
Life	Fast and complicated	Simple and relaxed
Environment	Greater isolation from nature.	Direct contact with nature.
Associated with	Non-agricultural work, i.e. trade, commerce or provision of services.	Agriculture and livestock.
Population size	Densely populated	Sparsely populated
Development	Planned settlement exists in urban areas, that are developed according to the process of urbanization and industrialization.	Developed randomly, based on availability of natural vegetation and fauna in the area.
Social mobility	Highly intensive	Less intensive
Division of labor	Always present at the time of job allotment.	No such division.

Definition of Urban

The term urban simply refers to the region or area which is densely populated and possess the characteristics of the man-made surroundings. The people residing in such area, are engaged in trade, commerce or services. In this settlement, there is high scale industrialisation that results in better employment opportunities. The Urban settlement is not confined to the cities only, but towns and suburbs (suburban areas) are also included in it.

There are many advantages of life in urban areas like easy access to various amenities, better transportation facilities, entertainment and education options, health facilities. Although it suffers certain drawbacks like pollution, caused due to large scale industrialisation and means of transportation like buses, trains, cars and so on, leading to increasing in health problems in the people living in that area.

Definition of Rural

We define the term ‘rural’ as a region located on the outskirts. It refers to a small settlement, which is outside the boundaries of a city, commercial or industrial area. It may include, countryside areas, villages or hamlets, where there are natural vegetation and open spaces. There is a low density of population in such area. The primary source of income of the residents is agriculture and animal husbandry. Cottage Industries also form a chief source of income here.

In India, a town whose population is below 15000 is considered as rural, as per the planning commission. Gram Panchayat is responsible for looking after such areas. Further, there is no municipal board, in the villages and maximum percentage of the male population are engaged in agriculture and related activities.

Key Differences Between Urban and Rural

The fundamental differences between urban and rural are discussed in the following points:

A settlement where the population is very high and has the features of a built environment (an environment that provides basic facilities for human activity), is known as urban. Rural is the geographical region located in the outer parts of the cities or towns.
The life in urban areas is fast and complicated, whereas rural life is simple and relaxed.
The Urban settlement includes cities and towns. On the other hand, the rural settlement includes villages and hamlets.
There is greater isolation from nature in urban areas, due to the existence of the built environment. Conversely, rural areas are in direct contact with nature, as natural elements influence them.
Urban people are engaged in non-agricultural work, i.e. trade, commerce or service industry. In contrast, the primary occupation of rural people is agriculture and animal husbandry.
Population wise, urban areas are densely populated, which is based on the urbanisation, i.e. the higher the urbanisation, the higher is the population. On the contrary, the rural population is sparse, which has an inverse relationship with agriculturism.
Urban areas are developed in a planned and systematic way, according to the process of urbanisation and industrialisation. Development in rural areas is seldom, based on the availability of natural vegetation and fauna in the region.
When it comes to social mobilisation, urban people are highly intensive as they change their occupation or residence frequently in search of better opportunities. However, in rural areas occupational or territorial mobility of the people is relatively less intensive.
Division of labour and specialisation is always present in the urban settlement at the time of job allotment. As opposed to rural areas, there is no division of labour.

So, with the given discussion, it is easily understood that these two human settlements are very different, regarding the density of human structures and the residents of that area. The standard of living in urban areas is higher in comparison to the rural areas. At present, the maximum part of the total population resides in urban areas, as well as the total land area occupied by the urban region is greater than the rural areas.

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Rajendra Koduru says

July 2, 2017 at 7:34 pm

Well compared, employment and income sources are very less in rural areas which is leading to migrate to urban

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December 25, 2017 at 3:02 pm

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May 5, 2021 at 1:44 pm

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October 7, 2021 at 1:16 am

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