The Best Home Security Systems in Chicago, IL
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Chicago, IL? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Chicago, IL home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Chicago every 2 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Chicago experiences 24.83 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.879 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 Chicago, IL
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Chicago. The combination of a high amount of renters (34%) and education level (41% 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 Chicago, IL?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Chicago, IL
Our analysis gives Chicago a property crime grade of: D-. Chicago is in the 85th percentile of safety, meaning 85% of cities in Illinois are safer and 15% are more dangerous. Please visit our Chicago crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northern part of Chicago, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 24. Compare this to the northwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 94.
D
D |
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D- |
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Other Crime Grade |
D+ |
A crime occurs every 1 minute (on average) in Chicago, IL.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Chicago safe? Compared to all of Illinois, Chicago is rated as safe as the average Illinois city, which has a property crime rate of 23.11 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Chicago, with its burglary rate of 3.365 per 1000, is as safe as the average Illinois city.
In addition, Chicago is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Chicago, IL.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Chicago, IL |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
19.25 |
178,843 |
3,439.3 |
Vehicle Theft |
2.080 |
19,326 |
371.7 |
Burglary |
3.365 |
31,264 |
601.2 |
Arson |
0.1329 |
1,235 |
23.7 |
Weather and Climate in Chicago, IL
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 Chicago, IL
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Chicago, IL is 46.78 degrees, reaching 82.07 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 82.95 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Chicago was built in 1974, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Illinois build in 1973.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Chicago, 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 Chicago, IL
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 Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL reaches an average of 27.71 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 25.49 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Chicago is 49 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Illinois home that's 50 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 Chicago 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 Chicago, IL
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Chicago 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 33.62% (3,048,189) of people in Chicago, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 66.38% or 6,019,080 of Chicago 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 73% of people who commute an average of 39 minutes to work in or around Chicago, 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 7% of Chicago 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 Chicago tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $90,766 annually. In addition, 41.1% 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 Chicago is $290,679. Compared to the median home value in Illinois of $242,002, 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 Chicago, IL
There are 1501 police stations within the boundaries of Chicago, and 1 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Chicago center, there are 611 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Chicago 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.
| County Of Cook 1100 South Hamilton Avenue 8w Chicago, IL 60622 (979) 846-9214 suffredin.org |
State Police 1941 West Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608 (312) 433-8000 isp.state.il.us |
Illinois State Of State Police 1941 West Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608 |
Safest Neighborhoods in Chicago, IL
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Chicago.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Chicago, IL
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Chicago, IL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero, IL | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Oak Park, IL | C- | D+ | more safe |
| Berwyn, IL | D | D | about as safe |
| Stickney, IL | F | D- | less safe |
| Forest Park, IL | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Forest View, IL | D- | D | about as safe |
| River Forest, IL | C- | C- | more safe |
| Riverside, IL | D- | D | about as safe |
| Elmwood Park, IL | D | D | about as safe |
| North Riverside, IL | C- | C | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Chicago, IL
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Chicago, IL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | D | D+ | about as safe |
| Houston, TX | D | C- | about as safe |
| Philadelphia, PA | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Miami, FL | F | F | less safe |
| Atlanta, GA | C- | C- | more safe |
| Washington, DC | B | A- | more safe |
| San Francisco, CA | D+ | C- | more safe |
| Los Angeles, CA | F | D- | less safe |
| Phoenix, AZ | D+ | F | more safe |
| Boston, MA | D- | D | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Chicago, IL
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Chicago, IL 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 2 minutes in Chicago.
- The city experiences 24.83 property crimes and 5.879 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Chicago's property crime grade stands at an 'D-', comparably as safe as other Illinois {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Chicago. The combination of a high amount of renters (34%) and education level (41% 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 82.07 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 27.71 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 33.62% of Chicago residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 73% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Chicago's lower household median income of $90,766 and 41.1% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Chicago hosts 1501 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.