The Best Home Security Systems in Berkeley, CA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Berkeley, CA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Berkeley, CA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Berkeley every 1 hour 45 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Berkeley experiences 39.12 property crimes per 1000 people and 8.454 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 Berkeley, CA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Berkeley. The combination of a high amount of renters (50%) and education level (75% 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 Berkeley, CA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Berkeley, CA. 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 Berkeley, CA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Berkeley, CA
Our analysis gives Berkeley a property crime grade of: D-. Berkeley is in the 90th percentile of safety, meaning 90% of cities in California are safer and 10% are more dangerous. Please visit our Berkeley crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the eastern part of Berkeley, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 10. Compare this to the northern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 92.
D
C- |
|
D- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C |
A crime occurs every 1 hour 1 minute (on average) in Berkeley, CA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Berkeley safe? Compared to all of California, Berkeley is rated as safe as the average California city, which has a property crime rate of 37.66 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Berkeley, with its burglary rate of 9.184 per 1000, is as safe as the average California city.
In addition, Berkeley is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Berkeley, CA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Berkeley, CA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
26.62 |
3,406 |
65.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
2.917 |
373 |
7.2 |
Burglary |
9.184 |
1,175 |
22.6 |
Arson |
0.3967 |
51 |
1.0 |
Weather and Climate in Berkeley, CA
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 Berkeley, CA
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Berkeley was built in 1961, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in California build in 1977.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Berkeley, 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 Berkeley, CA
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 Berkeley, CA
Berkeley, CA reaches an average of 56.99 degrees in its cold months of December & January. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 55.00 degrees in December.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Berkeley is 62 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average California home that's 46 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley, CA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Berkeley 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 50.29% (65,584) of people in Berkeley, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 49.71% or 64,816 of Berkeley 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 34% of people who commute an average of 37 minutes to work in or around Berkeley, 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 19% of Berkeley 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 Berkeley tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $118,182 annually. In addition, 75.0% 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 Berkeley is $1,157,417. Compared to the median home value in California of $648,235, 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 Berkeley, CA
There are 12 police stations within the boundaries of Berkeley, and 9 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Berkeley center, there are 463 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Berkeley 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.
| Berkeley Police Review Commn 1947 Center St # 300 Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 981-4950 |
Berkeley Police Department Chief 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Way Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 981-5900 |
Berkeley Marshal 2120 Martin Luther King Jr Way Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 848-1178 |
Safest Neighborhoods in Berkeley, CA
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Berkeley.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Berkeley, CA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Berkeley, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, CA | D+ | C | more safe |
| Emeryville, CA | F | D- | about as safe |
| Orinda Village, CA | C | C+ | more safe |
| El Cerrito, CA | D | C+ | about as safe |
| Piedmont, CA | A- | A | more safe |
| Orinda, CA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Richmond, CA | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Canyon, CA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Oakland, CA | D- | D- | about as safe |
| El Sobrante, CA | A- | A | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Berkeley, CA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Berkeley, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | D+ | C- | more safe |
| Santa Maria, CA | D | C | more safe |
| Queens, NY | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Pharr, TX | D- | D | about as safe |
| Racine, WI | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Philadelphia, PA | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Rancho Cucamonga, CA | C- | B- | more safe |
| Pleasanton, CA | A | A- | more safe |
| Plainfield, IL | A+ | B+ | more safe |
| Portsmouth, VA | D- | D- | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Berkeley, CA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Berkeley, CA 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 1 hour 45 minutes in Berkeley.
- The city experiences 39.12 property crimes and 8.454 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Berkeley's property crime grade stands at an 'D-', comparably as safe as other California {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Berkeley. The combination of a high amount of renters (50%) and education level (75% 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
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with December & January temperatures averaging 56.99 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 50.29% of Berkeley residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 34% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Berkeley's lower household median income of $118,182 and 75.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Berkeley hosts 12 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.