The Best Home Security Systems in Boulder, CO
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Boulder, CO? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Boulder, CO home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Boulder every 3 hours 53 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Boulder experiences 19.35 property crimes per 1000 people and 12.29 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 Boulder, CO
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Boulder. The combination of a high amount of renters (41%) and education level (76% 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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Boulder, CO?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Boulder, CO. 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 Boulder, CO and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Boulder, CO
Our analysis gives Boulder a property crime grade of: D+. Boulder is in the 76th percentile of safety, meaning 76% of cities in Colorado are safer and 24% are more dangerous. Please visit our Boulder crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Boulder, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 34. Compare this to the southwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 83.
C-
B- |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C |
A crime occurs every 1 hour 47 minutes (on average) in Boulder, CO.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Boulder safe? Compared to all of Colorado, Boulder is rated safer than the average Colorado city, which has a property crime rate of 40.44 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Boulder, with its burglary rate of 7.472 per 1000, is as safe as the average Colorado city.
In addition, Boulder is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Boulder, CO.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Boulder, CO |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
5.646 |
656 |
12.6 |
Vehicle Theft |
6.118 |
711 |
13.7 |
Burglary |
7.472 |
868 |
16.7 |
Arson |
0.1182 |
14 |
0.3 |
Weather and Climate in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Boulder, CO is 49.21 degrees, reaching 86.89 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 81.77 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Boulder was built in 1978, which is about average compared to the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Colorado build in 1987.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and average home ages in Boulder, 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 Boulder, CO
Boulder, CO gets an average rainfall of 0.2" per year. This is lower than the average of 0.3" for Colorado.
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 Boulder, CO
Boulder, CO reaches an average of 41.16 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 34.73 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Boulder is 45 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Colorado home that's 36 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 Boulder 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 Boulder, CO
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Boulder 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 41.24% (48,942) of people in Boulder, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 58.76% or 69,740 of Boulder 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 50% of people who commute an average of 26 minutes to work in or around Boulder, 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 17% of Boulder 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 Boulder tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $92,663 annually. In addition, 75.9% 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 Boulder is $735,678. Compared to the median home value in Colorado of $430,259, 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 Boulder, CO
There are 34 police stations within the boundaries of Boulder, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Boulder center, there are 241 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Boulder may be about average. When response times are fairly typical, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Boulder Police Chief 1805 33rd St Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 441-3310 bouldercolorado.gov |
Police Department-Patrol 1805 33rd St Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 441-3315 bouldercolorado.gov |
Police Dept-Crime Prevention 1805 33rd St Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 441-3322 bouldercolorado.gov |
Safest Neighborhoods in Boulder, CO
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Boulder.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Boulder, CO
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Boulder, CO? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crisman, CO | B | C+ | more safe |
| Gunbarrel, CO | D+ | B+ | about as safe |
| Eldorado Springs, CO | B | B+ | more safe |
| Louisville, CO | B- | B+ | more safe |
| Niwot, CO | B | A- | more safe |
| Superior, CO | B | A | more safe |
| Jamestown, CO | C+ | C | more safe |
| Lafayette, CO | C | B- | more safe |
| Coal Creek, CO | B+ | C | more safe |
| Sugarloaf, CO | B- | B+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Boulder, CO
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Boulder, CO? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | F | F | less safe |
| Daytona Beach, FL | C+ | B | more safe |
| Cordova, TN | B- | B+ | more safe |
| Dallas, GA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Denham Springs, LA | A- | A- | more safe |
| Concord, NC | C+ | B- | more safe |
| Compton, CA | D | C- | about as safe |
| Dallas, TX | D | D+ | about as safe |
| Danbury, CT | D | D | about as safe |
| Detroit, MI | D- | D | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Boulder, CO
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Boulder, CO 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 Boulder 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 ADT have emerged as the top choices for Boulder 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 Boulder's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 3 hours 53 minutes in Boulder.
- The city experiences 19.35 property crimes and 12.29 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Boulder's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably safer than other Colorado {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Boulder. The combination of a high amount of renters (41%) and education level (76% 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 86.89 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 41.16 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.2" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 45 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 41.24% of Boulder residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 50% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Boulder's lower household median income of $92,663 and 75.9% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Boulder hosts 34 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.