The Best Home Security Systems in Columbia, SC
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Columbia, SC? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Columbia, SC home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Columbia every 7 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Columbia experiences 82.48 property crimes per 1000 people and 215.4 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 Columbia, SC
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Columbia. The combination of a high amount of renters (30%) and education level (36% 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 Columbia, SC?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Columbia, SC. 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 Columbia, SC and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Columbia, SC
Our analysis gives Columbia a property crime grade of: F. Columbia is in the 94th percentile of safety, meaning 94% of cities in South Carolina are safer and 6% are more dangerous. Please visit our Columbia crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the western part of Columbia, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 3. Compare this to the southwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 51.
F
F |
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F |
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Other Crime Grade |
F |
A crime occurs every 2 minutes (on average) in Columbia, SC.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Columbia safe? Compared to all of South Carolina, Columbia is rated less safe than the average South Carolina city, which has a property crime rate of 38.98 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Columbia, with its burglary rate of 8.984 per 1000, is as safe as the average South Carolina city.
In addition, Columbia is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Columbia, SC.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Columbia, SC |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
70.10 |
58,169 |
1,118.6 |
Vehicle Theft |
3.327 |
2,761 |
53.1 |
Burglary |
8.984 |
7,456 |
143.4 |
Arson |
0.0684 |
57 |
1.1 |
Weather and Climate in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Columbia, SC is 65.29 degrees, reaching 100.43 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 101.64 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Columbia was built in 1991, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in South Carolina build in 1990.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC gets an average rainfall of 1.5" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.8" for South 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 Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC reaches an average of 56.37 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 65.33 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Columbia is 32 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average South Carolina home that's 33 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 Columbia 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 Columbia, SC
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Columbia 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 29.94% (248,333) of people in Columbia, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 70.06% or 581,137 of Columbia 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 85% of people who commute an average of 31 minutes to work in or around Columbia, 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 6% of Columbia 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 Columbia tend to have a higher median household income than nearby cities, earning $70,127 annually. In addition, 36.2% 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 Columbia is $195,877. Compared to the median home value in South Carolina of $233,397, 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 Columbia, SC
There are 127 police stations within the boundaries of Columbia, and 3 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Columbia center, there are 127 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Columbia may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| County Of Richland 5623 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 754-0706 rcgov.us |
South Carolina Department Of Law Enforcement 7201 Two Notch Road Floor 2 Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 788-1567 sled.sc.gov |
Forest Acres Police Department 5205 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 782-9444 forest-acres.org |
Safest Neighborhoods in Columbia, SC
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Columbia.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Columbia, SC
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Columbia, SC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia Lakes, SC | C- | C- | more safe |
| Forest Acres, SC | D- | D | more safe |
| Dentsville, SC | D+ | D | more safe |
| Woodfield, SC | C- | C- | more safe |
| Hollywood Hills, SC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Killian, SC | A | A+ | more safe |
| Olympia, SC | D- | D- | about as safe |
| St. Andrews, SC | F | D- | about as safe |
| Cayce, SC | C- | C- | more safe |
| Seven Oaks, SC | D | D | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Columbia, SC
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Columbia, SC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarasota, FL | C | C | more safe |
| Oxnard, CA | C+ | B | more safe |
| Dayton, OH | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Baton Rouge, LA | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Knoxville, TN | C | C | more safe |
| Charleston, SC | C- | C- | more safe |
| Allentown, PA | C- | C- | more safe |
| New Haven, CT | D- | D- | about as safe |
| El Paso, TX | F | F | about as safe |
| McAllen, TX | D- | D | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Columbia, SC
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Columbia, SC 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 7 minutes in Columbia.
- The city experiences 82.48 property crimes and 215.4 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Columbia's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other South Carolina {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Columbia. The combination of a high amount of renters (30%) and education level (36% 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 100.43 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 56.37 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.5" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 32 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 29.94% of Columbia residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 85% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Columbia's higher household median income of $70,127 and 36.2% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Columbia hosts 127 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.