The Best Home Security Systems in Allegheny County, PA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Allegheny County, PA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Allegheny County, PA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Allegheny County every 8 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Allegheny County experiences 45.51 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.168 incidents of vandalism per 1000 people in the typical year. A home security system will protect you when you’re at home or away, 24 hours a day.
Home Security Companies Available in Allegheny County, PA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Allegheny County. The combination of a high amount of renters (31%) and education level (45% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
Best Reputation
ADT
Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
Affordable Option
Ring
Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Allegheny County, PA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Allegheny County, PA. We’ll compare different crime rates and weather along with advanced features that make you feel safer and make your life easier.
Why Crime Grade?
Crime Grade has the most robust and accurate nationwide crime model available. In addition, our data is granular enough to identify and compare crime statistics to the neighborhood level. This puts us in the unique position of being able to evaluate the home security needs of people in a particular county rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Allegheny County, PA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Allegheny County, PA
Our analysis gives Allegheny County a property crime grade of: F. Allegheny County is in the 97th percentile of safety, meaning 97% of cities in Pennsylvania are safer and 3% are more dangerous. Please visit our Allegheny County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northwestern part of Allegheny County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 6. Compare this to the northeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 111.
F
F |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D |
A crime occurs every 6 minutes (on average) in Allegheny County, PA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Allegheny County safe? Compared to all of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County is rated less safe than the average Pennsylvania county, which has a property crime rate of 16.10 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where Allegheny County, with its burglary rate of 2.758 per 1000, is as safe as the average Pennsylvania county.
In addition, Allegheny County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Allegheny County, PA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Allegheny County, PA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
41.56 |
53,554 |
1,029.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.171 |
1,509 |
29.0 |
Burglary |
2.758 |
3,554 |
68.4 |
Arson |
0.0278 |
36 |
0.7 |
Weather and Climate in Allegheny County, PA
As strange as it might sound, some home security system features can be more or less important based on the climate you live in.
Home Security Fire Sensors in Allegheny County, PA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Allegheny County, PA is 49.80 degrees, reaching 85.67 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 81.27 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Allegheny County was built in 1967, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Pennsylvania build in 1970.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Allegheny County, you can judge how important fire sensors and immediate response may be. A combination of smoke detectors, CO2 sensors, and fire alarms connected to a home security system can make that response as swift as possible, whether you’re at work or on vacation.
Home Security Flood Sensors in Allegheny County, PA
Allegheny County, PA gets an average rainfall of 1.4" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.2" for Pennsylvania.
With the risk of flooding and burst pipes, a flood sensor can alert you and authorities as soon as possible. Even a few hours make the difference between an easy restoration and long-term water damage.
Home Security Freeze Sensors in Allegheny County, PA
Allegheny County, PA reaches an average of 34.69 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 42.12 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Allegheny County is 56 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Pennsylvania home that's 53 years old and much more time than the national average of a 45-year-old home.
Temperature fluctuations will weaken the structure and foundation of the home, cold temperatures can cause pipes to leak or burst, and if it snows that can cause additional stress on the roof. However, freeze sensors are not an expensive addon. After assessing your Allegheny County home, you can make a more informed decision if they would be a suitable addition to your home security system.
Cost of Home Security Systems in Allegheny County, PA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Allegheny County home, we must determine some of your preferences.
Self-Monitored or Professionally Monitored?
Any home security system you pick will offer a selection of equipment including entry sensors, cameras, etc. The question is, do you actually want to self-monitor your system? If like 30.87% (386,062) of people in Allegheny County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 69.13% or 864,516 of Allegheny County residents own their homes and may be more likely to consider a professionally monitored system to protect their property.
Whether you rent or buy, how well can you monitor your system on your own? For example, if you're one of the 74% of people who commute an average of 32 minutes to work in or around Allegheny County, can you immediately receive notifications on your phone, check cameras in meetings or while working, and call the police if needed?
If not, you might want a professionally monitored system where a company is available 24/7 to respond, whether on vacation or at work. Please see our comprehensive guide on the best home security systems for a complete comparison.
Self-Installed vs. Professional Installation
Most providers have great self-installation options, so if you're handy or tech-savvy, like the 9% of Allegheny County residents working in computer engineering and science, self-installation can be a great option.
Alternatively, when your security system is installed professionally, you can ensure that your equipment is placed correctly and will function without any problems. That peace of mind is valuable for people willing to spend the extra money.
Residents of Allegheny County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $83,965 annually. In addition, 45.4% of residents have a college degree or higher, compared to 32.9% in the United States.
If you're a homeowner, do you have more to protect? The median home value in Allegheny County is $214,709. Compared to the median home value in Pennsylvania of $222,630, your home value will probably be lower. With their larger lots, single-family homes tend to be more isolated from view and a tempting target for burglars.
Find an in-depth review of installation options in our best home security systems guide.
Police Stations Near Allegheny County, PA
There are 461 police stations within the boundaries of Allegheny County, and 77 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Allegheny County center, there are 470 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Allegheny County may be much faster. Even when response times are great, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Pittsburgh Police Department 2100 Bedford Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 255-4722 |
City Of Pittsburgh 2000 Center Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 255-2827 pittsburghpa.gov |
Pittsburgh Police Station 2000 Center Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 255-2827 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Allegheny County, PA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Allegheny County, PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland County, PA | A- | A- | more safe |
| Hancock County, WV | B- | B- | more safe |
| Brooke County, WV | C- | B- | more safe |
| Jefferson County, OH | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Harrison County, OH | D | D+ | more safe |
| Cambria County, PA | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Tuscarawas County, OH | C+ | B- | more safe |
| Blair County, PA | C- | D | more safe |
| Holmes County, OH | D | F | more safe |
| Huntingdon County, PA | D+ | D+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Allegheny County, PA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Allegheny County, PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara County, CA | C+ | B- | more safe |
| San Bernardino County, CA | C- | C | more safe |
| Sacramento County, CA | B | D | more safe |
| Pima County, AZ | D | D | more safe |
| Travis County, TX | C | C | more safe |
| Contra Costa County, CA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Alameda County, CA | D | D | more safe |
| Fresno County, CA | B | C | more safe |
| Oakland County, MI | B | B+ | more safe |
| Broward County, FL | F | F | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Allegheny County, PA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Allegheny County, PA can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the county to help us make an objective recommendation for most residents. Leveraging CrimeGrade.org's uniquely robust and granular crime data, we've scrutinized the options for home security systems, tailoring them to the unique needs and context of Allegheny County residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
Simplisafe, ADT, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for Allegheny County residents due to their distinctive offerings and reliability, each appealing to varied preferences and budget ranges of homeowners and renters alike. Notably, factors such as Allegheny County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 8 minutes in Allegheny County.
- The county experiences 45.51 property crimes and 6.168 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Allegheny County's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Pennsylvania {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Allegheny County. The combination of a high amount of renters (31%) and education level (45% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- ADT: Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
- Ring: Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 85.67 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 34.69 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.4" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 56 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 30.87% of Allegheny County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 74% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Allegheny County's higher household median income of $83,965 and 45.4% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Allegheny County hosts 461 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.