Exactly. The murder rate in Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city was in the 50's. It has recently dropped to 6.1 per 100,000 residents and is quite safe.

So the city is in some cases MORE safe than the less urban areas, the main reason for this drop was a drop in gang violence based on the consolidation and dominant victory of a single gang. That gang is the PCC.

In areas where multiple gangs are still fighting for control the violence can be incredible.