But that isn't entirely true in every city. In fact, according to the FBI's crime statistics, some metropolitan areas with populations of more than 200,000 are nearly as safe as small towns, with tiny numbers for both violent and property crimes each year.

Where are they? Click through the following pages to find out. (Source: The 10 safest cities over 200,000 in the United States based on the FBI's Uniform Crime Report Statistics, as compiled by Law Street Media.)

#10 Chula Vista, Calif.

Located just south of San Diego, Chula Vista is a bedroom community for the entire metro area. And it's a nice one, with low unemployment and high median incomes. According to Law Street Media, “Chula Vista is on our safest cities list due to its advantageous coastline location, wide array of small businesses and tourist hot spots, and its safe environment.”

• Violent Crime Rate: 232.56 per 100,000 people
• Population: 249,830
• Murder Rate: 0.32 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1:1189
• Median Household Income: $67,265
• Unemployment Rate: 10.34 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #11

(The view of nearby Dallas.)

#9 Garland, Texas

Located northeast of downtown Dallas, Texas, Garland is well-situtated for both economic and personal security. The local economy is stable and the city has recently focused on a number of community-oriented programs like Neighborhood Crime Watch and Crimestoppers to promote a safe environment for its residents.

• Violent Crime Rate: 229.80 per 100,000 people
• Population: 234,984
• Murder Rate: 0.3 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1:758
• Median Household Income: $49,156
• Unemployment Rate: 8.76 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #8

(The Cowboys used to play in Irving. Their new stadium is located in nearby Arlington.)

#8 Irving, Texas

Another bedroom community, located not too far from Garland on the other side of Dallas, Irving is a slightly safer place to call home, according to the FBI. It's an interesting place, though, because the median income level in the city is lower than the national poverty line, making it a place that typically would see more crime. In Irving, however, unemployment is low and local economic development has been in high gear for the last decade. It is also a very diverse community, with the most diverse zip code in America located within its city limits.

• Violent Crime Rate: 226.33 per 100,000 people
• Population: 224,007
• Murder Rate: 0.13 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1: 680
• Median Household Income: $47,248
• Unemployment Rate: 8.38 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #9

#7 Virginia Beach, Va.

Home to the largest concentration of military personnel outside the Pentagon, southeastern Virginia has a solid economic base anchored by a range of employers including Naval Air Station Oceana, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek and Sentara Healthcare. It's also a popular tourist destination, attracting some five milion annual visitors.

• Violent Crime Rate: 169.35 per 100,000 people
• Population: 447,588
• Murder Rate: 0.47 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1: 571
• Median Household Income: $58,568
• Unemployment Rate: 13.4 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #4

#6 Henderson, Nev.

As a southern suburb of Las Vegas, Henderson enjoys a solid economic base due to the gaming and tourism industries. The local murder rate of 0.15 per 100,000 is very low, making for a safe, secure community.

• Violent Crime Rate: 168.90 per 100,000 people
• Population: 263,469
• Murder Rate: 0.15 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1: 803
• Median Household Income: $66,606
• Unemployment Rate: 17.06 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #7

#5 Scottsdale, Ariz.

With a local population that's 89.27% white and over the age of 45, Scottsdale is the most homogeneous city on this list, but it is also home to a number of large employers, a large police force and a vibrant local economy, making it a very safe place to live.

• Violent Crime Rate: 147.25 per 100,000 people
• Population: 223,432
• Murder Rate: 0.13 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1: 557
• Median Household Income: $71,564
• Unemployment Rate: 7.52 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #6

(Downtown San Jose, which is near Fremont.)

#4 Fremont, Calif.

Think of Fremont as “Silicon Valley Lite.” It's located just east of San Jose, making it a slightly more affordable alternative for start-up companies and tech workers, but it's proximity to the buzzing local economy makes for a very stable and secure workfoce. According to Law Street Media, Fremont also has the lowest police office to population ration of any city on its list, but it remains a very safe city.

• Violent Crime Rate: 139.77 per 100,000 people
• Population: 218,927
• Murder Rate: 0.09 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1: 1251
• Median Household Income: $92,655
• Unemployment Rate: 7.6 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #5

(Wow, we're running out of photos of Texas. But there are probably longhorns near Plano, right?)

#3 Plano, Texas

Another Texas city makes the list. This one is north of downtown Dallas and also home to a number of large employers, including Frito-Lay, JC Penney and Perot Systems, making for a strong economic base.

• Violent Crime Rate: 130.74 per 100,000 people
• Population: 214,264
• Murder Rate: 2.33 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1:807
• Median Household Income: $83,239
• Unemployment Rate: 9.45 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #3

#2 Gilbert, Ariz.

Gilbert employs just one police officer for every 965 people in the city, but that small force is apparently enough because it experienced just 205 violent crimes and five murders in 2012.

• Violent Crime Rate: 95.68 per 100,000 people
• Population: 214,264
• Murder Rate: 2.33 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1:965
• Median Household Income: $80,090
• Unemployment Rate: 5.3 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #2

#1 Irvine, Calif.

With the lowest number of violent crimes by population, Irving is a regular on these “safest cities” lists, and with good reason. The city saw only 110 violent crimes in 2012. According to Law Street Media, Irvine's reputation as a safe place to live comes down to two important factors: “its overall economic prosperity and relative homogeneity of its residents; and city's unique design that further reinforces community development and integration.”

• Violent Crime Rate: 50.57 per 100,000 people
• Population: 217, 528
• Murder Rate: 0.92 per 100,000 people
• Officer to Population Ratio: 1:1083
• Median Household Income: $85,615
• Unemployment Rate: 5.7 percent
• Safest City Over 200,000 Rank in 2011: #1