The Best Home Security Systems in Baltimore City, MD
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Baltimore City, MD? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Baltimore City, MD home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Baltimore City every 12 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Baltimore City experiences 71.75 property crimes per 1000 people and 12.77 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 Baltimore City, MD
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Baltimore City. The combination of a high amount of renters (48%) and education level (34% 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 Baltimore City, MD?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Baltimore City, MD. 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 Baltimore City, MD and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Baltimore City, MD
Our analysis gives Baltimore City a property crime grade of: F. Baltimore City is in the 96th percentile of safety, meaning 96% of cities in Maryland are safer and 4% are more dangerous. Please visit our Baltimore City crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southeastern part of Baltimore City, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 4. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 35.
D-
D- |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D- |
A crime occurs every 8 minutes (on average) in Baltimore City, MD.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Baltimore City safe? Compared to all of Maryland, Baltimore City is rated less safe than the average Maryland county, which has a property crime rate of 31.29 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Baltimore City, with its burglary rate of 7.895 per 1000, is as safe as the average Maryland county.
In addition, Baltimore City is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Baltimore City, MD.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Baltimore City, MD |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
60.18 |
35,139 |
675.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
3.562 |
2,080 |
40.0 |
Burglary |
7.895 |
4,610 |
88.7 |
Arson |
0.1162 |
68 |
1.3 |
Weather and Climate in Baltimore City, MD
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 Baltimore City, MD
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Baltimore City, MD is 53.73 degrees, reaching 92.06 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 87.56 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Baltimore City was built in 1956, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Maryland build in 1981.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Baltimore City, 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 Baltimore City, MD
Baltimore City, MD gets an average rainfall of 0.5" per year. This is lower than the average of 0.9" for Maryland.
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 Baltimore City, MD
Baltimore City, MD reaches an average of 31.99 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 46.12 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Baltimore City is 67 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Maryland home that's 42 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 Baltimore City 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 Baltimore City, MD
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Baltimore City 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 48.27% (282,701) of people in Baltimore City, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 51.73% or 303,007 of Baltimore City 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 62% of people who commute an average of 37 minutes to work in or around Baltimore City, 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 6% of Baltimore City 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 Baltimore City tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $64,566 annually. In addition, 34.4% 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 Baltimore City is $205,403. Compared to the median home value in Maryland of $357,815, 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 Baltimore City, MD
There are 127 police stations within the boundaries of Baltimore City, and 25 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Baltimore City center, there are 545 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Baltimore City 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.
| City Of Baltimore 200 East North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 396-8803 baltimorecitycouncil.com |
City Of Baltimore 200 East North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 396-8803 baltimorecitycouncil.com |
City Of Baltimore 242 West 29th St Baltimore, MD 21211 (410) 467-2242 baltimorecitycouncil.com |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Baltimore City, MD
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Baltimore City, MD? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore County, MD | C | B- | more safe |
| Howard County, MD | B | B+ | more safe |
| Kent County, MD | B- | C- | more safe |
| Frederick County, MD | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Jefferson County, WV | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Berkeley County, WV | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Cumberland County, NJ | F | F | about as safe |
| Hampshire County, WV | A- | A | more safe |
| Atlantic County, NJ | C | C | more safe |
| Mineral County, WV | A- | B+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Baltimore City, MD
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Baltimore City, MD? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth County, MA | A+ | A | more safe |
| Utah County, UT | F | F | about as safe |
| Richmond County, NY | A- | A+ | more safe |
| Sonoma County, CA | A | A | more safe |
| Bernalillo County, NM | C+ | C | more safe |
| Washoe County, NV | A | A- | more safe |
| Brevard County, FL | A | A | more safe |
| Ocean County, NJ | D+ | D | more safe |
| Bucks County, PA | A- | A | more safe |
| Camden County, NJ | B- | B | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Baltimore City, MD
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Baltimore City, MD 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 Baltimore City 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 Baltimore City 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 Baltimore City's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 12 minutes in Baltimore City.
- The county experiences 71.75 property crimes and 12.77 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Baltimore City's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Maryland {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Baltimore City. The combination of a high amount of renters (48%) and education level (34% 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 92.06 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 31.99 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.5" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 67 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 48.27% of Baltimore City residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 62% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Baltimore City's lower household median income of $64,566 and 34.4% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Baltimore City hosts 127 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.