The Best Home Security Systems in Austin, TX
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Austin, TX? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Austin, TX home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Austin every 13 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Austin experiences 16.29 property crimes per 1000 people and 4.680 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 Austin, TX
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Austin. The combination of a high amount of renters (34%) and education level (46% 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 Austin, TX?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Austin, TX. 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 Austin, TX and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Austin, TX
Our analysis gives Austin a property crime grade of: C-. Austin is in the 64th percentile of safety, meaning 64% of cities in Texas are safer and 36% are more dangerous. Please visit our Austin crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the central part of Austin, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 34. Compare this to the northwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 145.
C+
C+ |
|
C- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
A crime occurs every 6 minutes (on average) in Austin, TX.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Austin safe? Compared to all of Texas, Austin is rated safer than the average Texas city, which has a property crime rate of 27.55 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Austin, with its burglary rate of 4.121 per 1000, is as safe as the average Texas city.
In addition, Austin is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Austin, TX.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Austin, TX |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
10.40 |
25,155 |
483.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.588 |
3,842 |
73.9 |
Burglary |
4.121 |
9,971 |
191.8 |
Arson |
0.1818 |
440 |
8.5 |
Weather and Climate in Austin, TX
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 Austin, TX
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Austin, TX is 71.00 degrees, reaching 109.66 degrees in the hottest months like August & July. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 105.34 degrees in August.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Austin was built in 1998, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Texas build in 1990.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Austin, 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 Austin, TX
Austin, TX gets an average rainfall of 0.9" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.7" for Texas.
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 Austin, TX
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Austin is 25 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Texas home that's 33 years old and much less 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 Austin 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 Austin, TX
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Austin 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 34.10% (778,563) of people in Austin, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 65.90% or 1,504,808 of Austin 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 77% of people who commute an average of 35 minutes to work in or around Austin, 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 10% of Austin 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 Austin tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $98,310 annually. In addition, 45.9% 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 Austin is $356,096. Compared to the median home value in Texas of $235,268, your home value will probably be higher. 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 Austin, TX
There are 235 police stations within the boundaries of Austin, and 3 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Austin center, there are 129 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Austin may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Austin Police 401 Deep Eddy Avenue Austin, TX 78703 (512) 974-7707 |
Singing Sheriff Internati 914 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX 78703 (651) 483-0538 |
Travis County Sheriffs Officers Association 400 West 14th St # 220 Austin, TX 78701 (512) 269-5916 |
Safest Neighborhoods in Austin, TX
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Austin.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Austin, TX
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Austin, TX? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingwood, TX | B+ | C+ | more safe |
| West Lake Hills, TX | A- | C+ | more safe |
| Sunset Valley, TX | F | D- | less safe |
| Marshall Ford, TX | C+ | B | more safe |
| Jollyville, TX | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Wells Branch, TX | C | B | more safe |
| Hornsby Bend, TX | C | D+ | more safe |
| Bee Cave, TX | C- | D+ | about as safe |
| Volente, TX | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Manor, TX | D+ | C+ | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Austin, TX
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Austin, TX? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | C- | C- | about as safe |
| Cincinnati, OH | D- | D- | less safe |
| Pittsburgh, PA | F | F | less safe |
| Kansas City, MO | D- | D- | less safe |
| Sacramento, CA | C+ | D+ | more safe |
| Indianapolis, IN | F | F | less safe |
| Cleveland, OH | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Portland, OR | C- | C- | about as safe |
| Nashville, TN | D | D | less safe |
| San Antonio, TX | D+ | C- | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Austin, TX
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Austin, TX 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 Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 13 minutes in Austin.
- The city experiences 16.29 property crimes and 4.680 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Austin's property crime grade stands at an 'C-', comparably safer than other Texas {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Austin. The combination of a high amount of renters (34%) and education level (46% 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 109.66 degrees in the peak months of August & July.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.9" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 25 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 34.10% of Austin residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 77% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Austin's lower household median income of $98,310 and 45.9% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Austin hosts 235 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.