The Best Home Security Systems in District of Columbia, DC
Are you looking for the best home security systems in District of Columbia, DC? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed District of Columbia, DC home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in District of Columbia every 16 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. District of Columbia experiences 46.83 property crimes per 1000 people and 8.246 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 District of Columbia, DC
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of District of Columbia. The combination of a high amount of renters (56%) and education level (60% 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 District of Columbia, DC?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in District of Columbia, DC. 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 county rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about District of Columbia, DC and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in District of Columbia, DC
Our analysis gives District of Columbia a property crime grade of: A+. District of Columbia is in the 1st percentile of safety, meaning 0% of cities in District of Columbia are safer and 100% are more dangerous. Please visit our District of 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 District of Columbia, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 8. Compare this to the northeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 56.
A+
A+ |
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A+ |
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Other Crime Grade |
A+ |
A crime occurs every 10 minutes (on average) in District of Columbia, DC.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is District of Columbia safe? Compared to all of District of Columbia, District of Columbia is rated as safe as the average District of Columbia county, which has a property crime rate of 46.83 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where District of Columbia, with its burglary rate of 3.341 per 1000, is as safe as the average District of Columbia county.
In addition, District of Columbia is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in District of Columbia, DC.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in District of Columbia, DC |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
39.55 |
26,971 |
518.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
3.819 |
2,605 |
50.1 |
Burglary |
3.341 |
2,279 |
43.8 |
Arson |
0.1284 |
88 |
1.7 |
Weather and Climate in District of Columbia, DC
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 District of Columbia, DC
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in District of Columbia, DC is 58.71 degrees, reaching 93.35 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady 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 District of Columbia was built in 1964, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in District of Columbia build in 1964.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in District of 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 District of Columbia, DC
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 District of Columbia, DC
District of Columbia, DC reaches an average of 43.09 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 District of Columbia is 59 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average District of Columbia home that's 59 years old and much 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 District of 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 District of Columbia, DC
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your District of 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 56.21% (387,601) of people in District of Columbia, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 43.79% or 301,944 of District 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 36% of people who commute an average of 37 minutes to work in or around District of 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 11% of District 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 District of Columbia tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $108,498 annually. In addition, 60.5% 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 District of Columbia is $655,265. Compared to the median home value in District of Columbia of $655,265, 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 District of Columbia, DC
There are 137 police stations within the boundaries of District of Columbia, and 3 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the District of Columbia center, there are 445 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in District of 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.
| Office Of Justice Programs 1331 1st St Nw Floor 5 Washington, DC 20001 (202) 514-1323 |
Interpol 145 North St Nw # 12e 300 Washington, DC 20530 (202) 616-9000 |
Office Of The Director Of National Intelligence Office Of The Director Washington, DC 20511 (703) 733-8600 dni.gov |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near District of Columbia, DC
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than District of Columbia, DC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington County, VA | D | C- | less safe |
| Prince George's County, MD | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Alexandria City, VA | A | A+ | less safe |
| Falls Church City, VA | A+ | A+ | about as safe |
| Montgomery County, MD | A | A+ | less safe |
| Fairfax County, VA | C | B | less safe |
| Fairfax City, VA | A- | A | less safe |
| Anne Arundel County, MD | D- | F | less safe |
| Loudoun County, VA | A+ | A+ | about as safe |
| Queen Anne's County, MD | A+ | A | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to District of Columbia, DC
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than District of Columbia, DC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo County, CA | C | B+ | less safe |
| San Joaquin County, CA | A- | A- | less safe |
| Denver County, CO | F | F | less safe |
| Bernalillo County, NM | C+ | C | less safe |
| Williamson County, TX | A | A+ | less safe |
| Will County, IL | A+ | A+ | about as safe |
| Washington County, OR | A- | A- | less safe |
| Utah County, UT | F | F | less safe |
| Tulsa County, OK | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Providence County, RI | D+ | D+ | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in District of Columbia, DC
Deciding whether you need a home security system in District of Columbia, DC can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the county 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 District 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, ADT, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for District of 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 District of Columbia's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 16 minutes in District of Columbia.
- The county experiences 46.83 property crimes and 8.246 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- District of Columbia's property crime grade stands at an 'A+', comparably as safe as other District of Columbia {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of District of Columbia. The combination of a high amount of renters (56%) and education level (60% 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 93.35 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 43.09 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 56.21% of District of Columbia residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 36% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering District of Columbia's lower household median income of $108,498 and 60.5% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- District of Columbia hosts 137 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.