This study aimed to evaluate and compare the oral health behavior in adults and their oral health status according to their residential area.Methods: The date of 'The fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012' was analyzed for this study. This study were adults over the age of 18 who participated in interviews with the use of a questionnaire and oral examinations. Of those, 4,273 who met all the variables necessary were selected for the final analysis. The residential areas were categorized into 'metropolitan city', 'city', and 'rural area' based on Dong, Eup and Myon as administrative districts.Results: Adjusted odds ratio of oral health behavior according to residential area, self-recognition of oral health status for subjects in rural areas was 0.75(0.59-0.96), using oral hygiene devices for those in rural areas was 0.75(0.63-0.88). Adjusted odds ratio of oral health status according to residential area, periodontal disease in rural areas was 1.97(1.62-2.41), the necessity of prosthetic treatment in subjects in rural areas was 1.27(1.01-1.60). Conclusion:It was discovered that there was a difference between the oral health behavior and oral health status of adults according to residential area. Therefore, to enhance oral health status, programs for which the characteristics of areas with such differences were considered should be developed and consistent research on strategies to reduce the gaps in the oral health status should be made.