The Best Home Security Systems in College Park, MD
Are you looking for the best home security systems in College Park, MD? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed College Park, MD home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in College Park every 1 hour 37 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. College Park experiences 127.3 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.357 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 College Park, MD
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of College Park. The combination of a high amount of renters (72%) and education level (54% 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.
Upgrade Pick
Vivint
Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Do You Need a Home Security System in College Park, MD?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in College Park, MD. 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 College Park, MD and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in College Park, MD
Our analysis gives College Park a property crime grade of: F. College Park is in the 98th percentile of safety, meaning 98% of cities in Maryland are safer and 2% are more dangerous. Please visit our College Park crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southwestern part of College Park, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 4. Compare this to the eastern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 76.
F
F |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D+ |
A crime occurs every 1 hour 16 minutes (on average) in College Park, MD.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is College Park safe? Compared to all of Maryland, College Park is rated less safe than the average Maryland city, which has a property crime rate of 31.29 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where College Park, with its burglary rate of 14.90 per 1000, is less safe than the average Maryland city.
In addition, College Park is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in College Park, MD.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in College Park, MD |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
105.8 |
4,502 |
86.6 |
Vehicle Theft |
6.529 |
278 |
5.3 |
Burglary |
14.90 |
634 |
12.2 |
Arson |
0.0483 |
2 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in College Park, MD
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 College Park, MD
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in College Park, MD is 56.50 degrees, reaching 94.36 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 91.66 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in College Park was built in 1980, which is about average compared to the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Maryland build in 1981.
Between average seasonal temperatures and average home ages in College Park, 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 College Park, MD
College Park, MD gets an average rainfall of 0.2" per year. This is lower than the average of 0.9" for Maryland.
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 College Park, MD
College Park, MD reaches an average of 43.27 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 51.68 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in College Park is 43 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Maryland home that's 42 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 College Park 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 College Park, MD
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your College Park 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 71.88% (28,049) of people in College Park, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 28.12% or 10,972 of College Park 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 51% of people who commute an average of 30 minutes to work in or around College Park, 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 12% of College Park 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 College Park tend to have a higher median household income than nearby cities, earning $50,196 annually. In addition, 54.3% 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 College Park is $354,877. Compared to the median home value in Maryland of $357,815, your home value will probably be lower. 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 College Park, MD
There are 6 police stations within the boundaries of College Park, and 33 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the College Park center, there are 560 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in College Park 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.
| University Of Maryland College Park Zoology Psychology Building College Park, MD 20742 (301) 405-9245 umd.edu |
Town Of Berwyn Heights 5700 Berwyn Road College Park, MD 20740 (301) 474-6554 berwyn-heights.com |
State Police Maryland 10100 Rhode Island Avenue College Park, MD 20740 (301) 345-3101 mdsp.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near College Park, MD
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than College Park, MD? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berwyn Heights, MD | B- | B- | more safe |
| University Park, MD | B- | C- | more safe |
| Adelphi, MD | C+ | C | more safe |
| Hyattsville, MD | D- | D | more safe |
| Greenbelt, MD | C- | C- | more safe |
| Riverdale Park, MD | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| East Riverdale, MD | C- | C- | more safe |
| Chillum, MD | C- | C- | more safe |
| Edmonston, MD | D- | D- | more safe |
| Riverdale, MD | C- | C- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to College Park, MD
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than College Park, MD? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont, CA | C | B | more safe |
| Long Beach, NY | C+ | A- | more safe |
| Park Ridge, IL | B- | A- | more safe |
| Old Bridge, NJ | A- | A | more safe |
| Ocean Springs, MS | B- | B | more safe |
| New Smyrna Beach, FL | C+ | B- | more safe |
| Mount Pleasant, MI | D- | D | more safe |
| Adelanto, CA | D- | D | more safe |
| Madison, TN | C | D+ | more safe |
| Peachtree City, GA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in College Park, MD
Deciding whether you need a home security system in College Park, MD 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 College Park 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 Vivint have emerged as the top choices for College Park 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 College Park's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 1 hour 37 minutes in College Park.
- The city experiences 127.3 property crimes and 6.357 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- College Park's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Maryland {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of College Park. The combination of a high amount of renters (72%) and education level (54% 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.
- Vivint: Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 94.36 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 43.27 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.2" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 43 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 71.88% of College Park residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 51% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering College Park's higher household median income of $50,196 and 54.3% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- College Park hosts 6 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.