My comment was a tongue in cheek response to the L post from the user above.

Philly has over 1 million people. New Orleans has < 400k. By your logic, why wouldn't PA have more violent crimes per capita? PA also has Pittsburgh. PA even shares borders with other large cities in neighboring states.

The great thing about per capita statistics is that it reveals trends. Isn't it interesting that a certain group of states tend to be worse in violence, poverty, and need for federal money? It suggests a systemic failing of the states as a whole. I wonder what systems these states share that citizens living there are subjected to.