The Best Home Security Systems in Boston, MA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Boston, MA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Boston, MA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Boston every 9 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Boston experiences 11.54 property crimes per 1000 people and 4.973 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 Boston, MA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Boston. The combination of a high amount of renters (33%) and education level (50% 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 Boston, MA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Boston, 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 Boston, MA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Boston, MA
Our analysis gives Boston a property crime grade of: D-. Boston is in the 87th percentile of safety, meaning 87% of cities in Massachusetts are safer and 13% are more dangerous. Please visit our Boston crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the central part of Boston, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 40. Compare this to the southwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 217.
D
F |
|
D- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D+ |
A crime occurs every 4 minutes (on average) in Boston, MA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Boston safe? Compared to all of Massachusetts, Boston 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 similar pattern, where Boston, with its burglary rate of 2.605 per 1000, is as safe as the average Massachusetts city.
In addition, Boston is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Boston, MA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Boston, MA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
7.501 |
36,889 |
709.4 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.299 |
6,388 |
122.8 |
Burglary |
2.605 |
12,811 |
246.4 |
Arson |
0.1376 |
677 |
13.0 |
Weather and Climate in Boston, 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 Boston, MA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Boston, MA is 53.66 degrees, reaching 83.89 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 83.93 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Boston was built in 1969, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Massachusetts build in 1969.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Boston, 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 Boston, MA
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 Boston, MA
Boston, MA reaches an average of 40.45 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 40.99 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Boston is 54 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 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 Boston 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 Boston, MA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Boston 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 32.91% (1,583,230) of people in Boston, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 67.09% or 3,227,513 of Boston 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 70% of people who commute an average of 39 minutes to work in or around Boston, 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 11% of Boston 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 Boston tend to have a higher median household income than nearby cities, earning $113,313 annually. In addition, 50.1% 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 Boston is $545,530. Compared to the median home value in Massachusetts of $477,554, 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 Boston, MA
There are 1346 police stations within the boundaries of Boston, and 45 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Boston center, there are 760 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Boston 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.
| House of Correction-South Bay 20 Bradston St Boston, MA 2118 (617) 635-1000 scsdma.org |
Mbta Transit Police Department 240 Southampton St Boston, MA 2118 (617) 222-1100 mbta.com |
Boston Police Department 650 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 2118 (617) 343-4250 aftma.net |
Safest Neighborhoods in Boston, MA
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Boston.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Boston, MA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Boston, MA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica Plain, MA | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Brookline, MA | D- | D+ | about as safe |
| Charlestown, MA | D- | D | about as safe |
| Allston, MA | F | F | less safe |
| Cambridge, MA | F | F | less safe |
| Mattapan, MA | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Somerville, MA | F | F | less safe |
| Brighton, MA | D- | D | about as safe |
| Roslindale, MA | D | D | more safe |
| Chelsea, MA | D- | D- | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Boston, MA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Boston, MA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | D+ | F | more safe |
| Riverside, CA | C | C | more safe |
| Detroit, MI | D- | D | about as safe |
| Seattle, WA | D+ | D- | more safe |
| San Francisco, CA | D+ | C- | more safe |
| Washington, DC | B | A- | more safe |
| Minneapolis, MN | D | D+ | more safe |
| Atlanta, GA | C- | C- | more safe |
| Miami, FL | F | F | less safe |
| Philadelphia, PA | D- | D- | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Boston, MA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Boston, 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 Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 9 minutes in Boston.
- The city experiences 11.54 property crimes and 4.973 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Boston'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 Boston. The combination of a high amount of renters (33%) and education level (50% 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 83.89 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 40.45 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 32.91% of Boston residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 70% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Boston's higher household median income of $113,313 and 50.1% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Boston hosts 1346 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.