The Best Home Security Systems in California
Are you looking for the best home security systems in California? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed California home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in California every 20 seconds, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. California experiences 37.66 property crimes per 1000 people and 20.83 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 California
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of California. The combination of a high amount of renters (40%) and education level (36% 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 California?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in California. 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 state rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about California and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in California
Our analysis gives California a property crime grade of: D. California is in the 78th percentile of safety, meaning 78% of cities in the United States are safer and 22% are more dangerous. Please visit our California crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southeastern part of California, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 16. Compare this to the northern part of the state, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 64.
D-
D- |
|
D |
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Other Crime Grade |
D |
A crime occurs every 10 seconds (on average) in California.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is California safe? Compared to all of the United States, California is rated as safe as the average the United States state, which has a property crime rate of 27.99 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where California, with its burglary rate of 5.238 per 1000, is as safe as the average the United States state.
In addition, California is higher than other states with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in California.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in California |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
28.12 |
1,128,387 |
21,699.8 |
Vehicle Theft |
3.893 |
156,209 |
3,004.0 |
Burglary |
5.238 |
210,192 |
4,042.2 |
Arson |
0.4123 |
16,547 |
318.2 |
Weather and Climate in California
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 California
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in California is 61.65 degrees, reaching 88.63 degrees in the hottest months like August & July. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 84.39 degrees in August.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in California was built in 1977, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in the United States build in 1978.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in California, 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 California
California gets an average rainfall of 0.2" per year. This is lower than the average of 30.2" for the United States.
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 California
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in California is 46 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average the United States home that's 45 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 California 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 California
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your California 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 40.22% (15,900,969) of people in California, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 59.78% or 23,637,254 of California 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 78% of people who commute an average of 36 minutes to work in or around California, 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 8% of California 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 California tend to have a higher median household income than nearby states, earning $98,692 annually. In addition, 35.8% 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 California is $648,235. Compared to the median home value in the United States of $318,880, 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 California
There are 5213 police stations within the boundaries of California, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the California center, there are 96 police stations. Compared to other states, police response times in California may be slower. When response times can be improved, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Highway Patrol 1565 Glendale Avenue Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 582-0231 |
Kings County Sheriff 1001 Chittenden Avenue Corcoran, CA 93212 (559) 992-4141 |
Corcoran Police Department 1031 Chittenden Avenue Corcoran, CA 93212 (559) 992-5151 |
Safest Cities in California
According to our analysis, here are the safest cities in California.Home Security and Property Crime in States Near California
Nearby State | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than California? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | D- | D | less safe |
| Arizona | F | F | less safe |
| Utah | C- | C- | more safe |
| Oregon | D- | D+ | less safe |
| Idaho | A | A+ | more safe |
| New Mexico | D+ | D | about as safe |
| Washington | D+ | D- | more safe |
| Colorado | D- | F | less safe |
| Wyoming | B+ | B- | more safe |
| Montana | C+ | B- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in States Similar to California
Nearby State | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than California? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | D | F | about as safe |
| Hawaii | D | D+ | about as safe |
| Puerto Rico | A+ | C- | more safe |
| Arkansas | C | C | more safe |
| Florida | B- | C | more safe |
| Louisiana | D | D- | about as safe |
| Maine | A | A+ | more safe |
| Massachusetts | A+ | A | more safe |
| Minnesota | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Montana | C+ | B- | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in California
Deciding whether you need a home security system in California can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the state 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 California 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 California 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 California's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 20 seconds in California.
- The state experiences 37.66 property crimes and 20.83 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- California's property crime grade stands at an 'D', comparably as safe as other the United States {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of California. The combination of a high amount of renters (40%) and education level (36% 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 88.63 degrees in the peak months of August & July.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.2" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 46 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 40.22% of California residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 78% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering California's higher household median income of $98,692 and 35.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- California hosts 5213 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.