Index scores help put the crime values in the context of the national crime rate. A score of 100 indicates that the crime risk is the same as the national average. Keep in mind that the overall crime rate in the US is quite low – a score of 100 is indicative of a safe neighborhood.

When evaluating crime risk scores, please note that while 100 is the national average, the average for urban areas is closer to 150 and the average for rural areas is closer to 50. It’s important to realize that a value of 150 does not translate to "high crime" – it merely indicates that the crime risk is higher than the national average. This reflects the general concentration of crime in urban areas. To find the safer neighborhoods within a city you should compare their risk scores instead of evaluating against the national average.