The Best Home Security Systems in Chapel Hill, NC
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Chapel Hill, NC? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Chapel Hill, NC home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Chapel Hill every 19 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Chapel Hill experiences 44.36 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.517 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 Chapel Hill, NC
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Chapel Hill. The combination of a high amount of renters (36%) and education level (51% 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 Chapel Hill, NC?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Chapel Hill, NC. 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 Chapel Hill, NC and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Chapel Hill, NC
Our analysis gives Chapel Hill a property crime grade of: D-. Chapel Hill is in the 88th percentile of safety, meaning 88% of cities in North Carolina are safer and 12% are more dangerous. Please visit our Chapel Hill crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southeastern part of Chapel Hill, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 5. Compare this to the northwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 73.
D-
D+ |
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D- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D+ |
A crime occurs every 15 minutes (on average) in Chapel Hill, NC.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Chapel Hill safe? Compared to all of North Carolina, Chapel Hill is rated as safe as the average North Carolina city, which has a property crime rate of 37.26 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where Chapel Hill, with its burglary rate of 7.714 per 1000, is as safe as the average North Carolina city.
In addition, Chapel Hill is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Chapel Hill, NC.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Chapel Hill, NC |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
35.52 |
21,396 |
411.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.045 |
629 |
12.1 |
Burglary |
7.714 |
4,647 |
89.4 |
Arson |
0.0879 |
53 |
1.0 |
Weather and Climate in Chapel Hill, NC
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 Chapel Hill, NC
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Chapel Hill, NC is 57.94 degrees, reaching 91.97 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 95.40 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Chapel Hill was built in 1989, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in North Carolina build in 1989.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, NC gets an average rainfall of 1.6" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.2" for North Carolina.
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 Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, NC reaches an average of 50.31 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 59.48 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Chapel Hill is 34 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average North Carolina home that's 34 years old and much less 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill, NC
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Chapel Hill 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 36.07% (212,421) of people in Chapel Hill, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 63.93% or 376,490 of Chapel Hill 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 75% of people who commute an average of 30 minutes to work in or around Chapel Hill, 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 10% of Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $80,910 annually. In addition, 50.8% 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 Chapel Hill is $295,262. Compared to the median home value in North Carolina of $226,477, 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 Chapel Hill, NC
There are 76 police stations within the boundaries of Chapel Hill, and 4 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Chapel Hill center, there are 267 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Chapel Hill may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Chapel Hill Realty Group Inc 214 West Rosemary St # 1 CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516 (919) 942-4149 chapelhillrealty.com |
Chapel Hill Police Substation 106 North Graham St Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 932-2939 gis.townofchapelhill.org |
Chapel Hill Police Substation 106 North Graham St Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 932-2939 gis.townofchapelhill.org |
Safest Neighborhoods in Chapel Hill, NC
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Chapel Hill.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Chapel Hill, NC
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Chapel Hill, NC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro, NC | C- | C- | more safe |
| Durham, NC | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Orange Grove, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Hillsborough, NC | A- | A- | more safe |
| Morrisville, NC | F | F | less safe |
| Saxapahaw, NC | A | A- | more safe |
| Efland, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Mebane, NC | B | B+ | more safe |
| Gorman, NC | A | A- | more safe |
| Swepsonville, NC | A | A- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Chapel Hill, NC
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Chapel Hill, NC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg, PA | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Spokane, WA | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Jackson, MS | C | C | more safe |
| Toledo, OH | D | D | about as safe |
| Melbourne, FL | B | B | more safe |
| Augusta, GA | C- | C- | more safe |
| Chattanooga, TN | C- | C- | more safe |
| Springfield, MA | D | D- | more safe |
| Wichita, KS | D | D | about as safe |
| Syracuse, NY | D- | D- | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Chapel Hill, NC
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Chapel Hill, NC 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 19 minutes in Chapel Hill.
- The city experiences 44.36 property crimes and 6.517 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Chapel Hill's property crime grade stands at an 'D-', comparably as safe as other North Carolina {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Chapel Hill. The combination of a high amount of renters (36%) and education level (51% 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 91.97 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 50.31 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.6" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 34 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 36.07% of Chapel Hill residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 75% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Chapel Hill's lower household median income of $80,910 and 50.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Chapel Hill hosts 76 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.