Rural vs. Remote — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on September 30, 2023

Rural refers to areas that are less populated and outside of urban centers, often involving agriculture or open spaces. Remote refers to areas that are difficult to access or far removed from populated regions, regardless of their rural or urban status.

Difference Between Rural and Remote

Table of Contents

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Key Differences

Rural areas are typically characterized by low population density and are often situated outside of cities or towns. They may have features like farmland, small communities, and open spaces. Remote areas, on the other hand, are defined by their isolation and are hard to reach due to geographical barriers or limited transportation.

Sep 30, 2023

In a rural setting, you might find agricultural activities, small businesses, and perhaps local schools. While these areas are less populated, they are not necessarily isolated or hard to reach. Remote areas are different; they could be either rural or urban but are usually far from main roads, making them difficult to access.

Sep 30, 2023

From a grammatical standpoint, both "rural" and "remote" serve as adjectives. They can also function as nouns when referring to rural or remote areas in general. Rural often appears in contexts involving farming, community life, or simplicity. Remote is frequently used in contexts that imply isolation, difficulty in accessibility, or distance.

Sep 30, 2023

Though rural and remote can sometimes overlap, they have distinct meanings. An area can be rural without being remote, and vice versa. For instance, a village may be rural in character but easily accessible by a major highway, while a mountain resort may be remote but not necessarily rural.

Sep 30, 2023

Comparison Chart

Core Meaning

Less populated, often agricultural

Difficult to access or isolated

Sep 30, 2023

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Focus

Population density and land use

Accessibility and isolation

Sep 30, 2023

Grammatical Role

Primarily used as an adjective

Primarily used as an adjective

Sep 30, 2023

Connotation

Agricultural, community-centered

Isolated, far removed

Sep 30, 2023

Use Case

Describes areas outside of urban centers

Describes any area hard to access

Sep 30, 2023

Compare with Definitions

Rural

Characterized by agriculture or farming.

The rural landscape was filled with farms and pastures.

Sep 19, 2023

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Remote

Isolated from mainstream or populous regions.

He lived in a remote cabin in the woods.

Sep 19, 2023

Rural

Having low population density.

The rural town had a very tight-knit community.

Sep 19, 2023

Remote

Located far away from populated areas.

The remote island was uninhabited.

Sep 19, 2023

Rural

Pertaining to non-urban lifestyles or values.

The rural community held a yearly harvest festival.

Sep 19, 2023

Remote

Difficult to access due to distance or obstacles.

The remote village could only be reached by helicopter.

Sep 19, 2023

Rural

Relating to the countryside rather than the city.

We moved to a rural area to escape the city's hustle and bustle.

Sep 19, 2023

Remote

Lacking in immediate proximity to civilization.

The remote outpost was resupplied once a month.

Sep 19, 2023

Rural

Of, relating to, or characteristic of the country.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Located far away; distant in space.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

Of or relating to people who live in the country

Rural households.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Hidden away; secluded

A remote hamlet.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

Of or relating to farming; agricultural.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Distant in time

The remote past.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

Relating to the countryside or to agriculture.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Faint; slight

A remote possibility.

Had not the remotest interest.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

(obsolete) A person from the countryside; a rustic.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Far removed in connection or relevance

A cause remote from everyday concerns.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

Of or pertaining to the country, as distinguished from a city or town; living in the country; suitable for, or resembling, the country; rustic; as, rural scenes; a rural prospect.

Here is a rural fellow; . . . He brings you figs.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Distantly related by blood or marriage

A remote cousin.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

Of or pertaining to agriculture; as, rural economy.

We turnTo where the silver Thames first rural grows.

Lay bashfulness, that rustic virtue, by;To manly confidence thy throughts apply.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Distant in manner; aloof.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

Living in or characteristic of farming or country life;

Rural people

Large rural households

Unpaved rural roads

An economy that is basically rural

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Operating or controlled from a distance

Remote sensors.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

Relating to rural areas;

Rural electrification

Rural free delivery (RFD)

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

(Computers) Located at a distance from another computer that is accessible by cables or other communications links

A remote terminal.

Sep 17, 2023

Rural

Situated away from urban centers.

The rural village was a 30-minute drive from the nearest city.

Sep 19, 2023

Remote

A radio or television broadcast originating from a point outside a studio.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

A remote control device.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

At a distance; disconnected.

A remote operator may control the vehicle with a wireless handset.

Remote workers

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Distant or otherwise inaccessible.

After his fall from the emperor's favor, the general was posted to a remote outpost.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

(especially with respect to likelihood) Slight.

There was only a remote possibility that we would be rescued as we were far outside of the regular shipping lanes.

They have a very remote chance of winning.

You have a remote resemblance to my grandmother.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Emotionally detached.

After her mother's death, my friend grew remote for a time while she dealt with her grief.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Ellipsis of remote control

I hate it when my uncle comes over to visit; he always sits in the best chair and hogs the remote.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

(broadcasting) An element of broadcast programming originating away from the station's or show's control room.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

(computing) To connect to a computer from a remote location.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Removed to a distance; not near; far away; distant; - said in respect to time or to place; as, remote ages; remote lands.

Places remote enough are in Bohemia.

Remote from men, with God he passed his days.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Hence, removed; not agreeing, according, or being related; - in various figurative uses.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Separated by intervals greater than usual.

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

A device that can be used to control a machine or apparatus from a distance;

He lost the remote for his TV

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Far distant in space;

Distant lands

Remote stars

A remote outpost of civilization

A hideaway far removed from towns and cities

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Very unlikely;

An outside chance

A remote possibility

A remote contingency

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Far distant in time;

Distant events

The remote past or future

A civilization ten centuries removed from modern times

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Inaccessible and sparsely populated

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Far apart in nature;

Considerations entirely removed (or remote) from politics

Sep 17, 2023

Remote

Far removed in connection or relevance.

The topic seemed remote to the ongoing discussion.

Sep 19, 2023

Common Curiosities

Can an area be both Rural and Remote?

Yes, an area can be both rural and remote if it is less populated and hard to access.

Sep 30, 2023

Can an Urban area be Remote?

Theoretically, yes. An urban area can be remote if it is difficult to access.

Sep 30, 2023

Is Rural synonymous with Agricultural?

While rural areas often involve agriculture, the two are not synonymous.

Sep 30, 2023

Is Rural always synonymous with "Country?"

"Rural" and "country" are often used interchangeably but "country" may have broader cultural implications.

Sep 30, 2023

What does Rural mean?

Rural refers to areas that are less populated and usually outside of urban centers.

Sep 30, 2023

Can a place become less Rural?

Yes, urbanization can make a place less rural.

Sep 30, 2023

What does Remote mean?

Remote refers to areas that are difficult to access or far removed from populated regions.

Sep 30, 2023

What are examples of Remote areas?

Examples include isolated islands, mountain regions, or deserts.

Sep 30, 2023

Do Rural areas lack modern amenities?

Not necessarily; some rural areas may have modern amenities.

Sep 30, 2023

Can a place become less Remote?

Improved transportation can make an area less remote.

Sep 30, 2023

How is Remote used grammatically?

"Remote" is primarily used as an adjective to describe places, locations, or concepts.

Sep 30, 2023

What makes an area Remote?

An area is remote if it is hard to reach due to geographical barriers or limited transportation.

Sep 30, 2023

How is Rural used grammatically?

"Rural" is primarily used as an adjective to describe areas, communities, or characteristics.

Sep 30, 2023

What's the opposite of Rural?

The opposite of rural is usually considered to be urban.

Sep 30, 2023

Are Remote areas always uninhabited?

No, remote areas can be inhabited but are generally hard to access.

Sep 30, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.