The Best Home Security Systems in Amherst, MA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Amherst, MA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Amherst, MA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Amherst every 3 days 8 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Amherst experiences 7.774 property crimes per 1000 people and 3.448 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 Amherst, MA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Amherst. The combination of a high amount of renters (62%) and education level (72% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
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.
Upgrade Pick
Vivint
Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Amherst, MA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Amherst, MA. 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 city rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Amherst, MA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Amherst, MA
Our analysis gives Amherst a property crime grade of: D+. Amherst is in the 75th percentile of safety, meaning 75% of cities in Massachusetts are safer and 25% are more dangerous. Please visit our Amherst crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Amherst, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 61. Compare this to the northeastern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 312.
C-
C+ |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C |
A crime occurs every 1 day 14 hours (on average) in Amherst, MA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Amherst safe? Compared to all of Massachusetts, Amherst is rated as safe as the average Massachusetts city, which has a property crime rate of 13.86 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Amherst, with its burglary rate of 3.366 per 1000, is as safe as the average Massachusetts city.
In addition, Amherst is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Amherst, MA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Amherst, MA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
3.945 |
55 |
1.1 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.2939 |
4 |
0.1 |
Burglary |
3.366 |
47 |
0.9 |
Arson |
0.1692 |
2 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Amherst, MA
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 Amherst, MA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Amherst, MA is 47.65 degrees, reaching 89.35 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 84.38 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Amherst was built in 1978, which is about average compared to the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Massachusetts build in 1969.
Between average seasonal temperatures and average home ages in Amherst, 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 Amherst, MA
Amherst, MA gets an average rainfall of 1.5" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.1" for Massachusetts.
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 Amherst, MA
Amherst, MA reaches an average of 33.89 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 39.00 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Amherst is 45 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Massachusetts home that's 54 years old and about the same amount of 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 Amherst 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 Amherst, MA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Amherst 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 62.12% (9,082) of people in Amherst, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 37.88% or 5,538 of Amherst 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 65% of people who commute an average of 27 minutes to work in or around Amherst, 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 16% of Amherst 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 Amherst tend to have a higher median household income than nearby cities, earning $71,529 annually. In addition, 72.0% 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 Amherst is $387,187. Compared to the median home value in Massachusetts of $477,554, 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 Amherst, MA
There are 1 police stations within the boundaries of Amherst, and 11 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Amherst center, there are 502 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Amherst 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.
| Amherst Police Chief 111 Main St Amherst, MA 1002 (413) 259-3014 amherstma.gov |
Amherst Police Department 111 Main St Amherst, MA 1002 (413) 259-3000 |
Amherst Police Detective Bur 111 Main St Amherst, MA 1002 (413) 256-4015 amherstma.gov |
Safest Neighborhoods in Amherst, MA
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Amherst.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Amherst, MA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Amherst, MA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Center, MA | F | F | less safe |
| West Pelham, MA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Hadley, MA | D- | D- | less safe |
| South Amherst, MA | D+ | C- | about as safe |
| Factory Hollow, MA | A- | A- | more safe |
| Pelham, MA | A | A | more safe |
| Hatfield, MA | D+ | C+ | about as safe |
| Sunderland, MA | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Leverett, MA | A | A+ | more safe |
| West Hatfield, MA | B+ | B | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Amherst, MA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Amherst, MA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Biscayne, FL | F | D- | less safe |
| Hampstead, MD | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Croton On Hudson, NY | B- | A- | more safe |
| Sanger, TX | A | A | more safe |
| McFarland, CA | D- | F | less safe |
| San Elizario, TX | D- | F | less safe |
| Mendota, CA | F | D- | less safe |
| Stella Rincon, PR | C+ | B | more safe |
| Bogart, GA | C- | C+ | more safe |
| Hidalgo, TX | D- | D | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Amherst, MA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Amherst, MA can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the city 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 Amherst 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, Ring, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Amherst 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 Amherst's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 3 days 8 hours in Amherst.
- The city experiences 7.774 property crimes and 3.448 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Amherst's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other Massachusetts {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Amherst. The combination of a high amount of renters (62%) and education level (72% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- 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.
- Vivint: Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 89.35 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 33.89 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.5" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 45 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 62.12% of Amherst residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 65% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Amherst's higher household median income of $71,529 and 72.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Amherst hosts 1 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.