The Best Home Security Systems in Great Falls, MT
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Great Falls, MT? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Great Falls, MT home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Great Falls every 2 hours 54 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Great Falls experiences 41.83 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.759 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 Great Falls, MT
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Great Falls. The combination of a high amount of renters (28%) and education level (29% 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 Great Falls, MT?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Great Falls, MT. 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 Great Falls, MT and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Great Falls, MT
Our analysis gives Great Falls a property crime grade of: D+. Great Falls is in the 75th percentile of safety, meaning 75% of cities in Montana are safer and 25% are more dangerous. Please visit our Great Falls crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southeastern part of Great Falls, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 12. Compare this to the southwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 91.
D+
D+ |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
A crime occurs every 2 hours 5 minutes (on average) in Great Falls, MT.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Great Falls safe? Compared to all of Montana, Great Falls is rated less safe than the average Montana city, which has a property crime rate of 25.73 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where Great Falls, with its burglary rate of 4.081 per 1000, is as safe as the average Montana city.
In addition, Great Falls is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Great Falls, MT.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Great Falls, MT |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
25.41 |
1,830 |
35.2 |
Vehicle Theft |
12.17 |
877 |
16.9 |
Burglary |
4.081 |
294 |
5.7 |
Arson |
0.1678 |
12 |
0.2 |
Weather and Climate in Great Falls, MT
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 Great Falls, MT
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Great Falls, MT is 38.56 degrees, reaching 88.16 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 82.79 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Great Falls was built in 1974, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Montana build in 1983.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, MT
Great Falls, MT gets an average rainfall of 0.5" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.4" for Montana.
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 Great Falls, MT
Great Falls, MT reaches an average of 23.02 degrees in its cold months of December & January. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 26.19 degrees in December.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Great Falls is 49 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Montana home that's 40 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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls, MT
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Great Falls 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 28.13% (19,546) of people in Great Falls, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 71.87% or 49,942 of Great Falls 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 88% of people who commute an average of 20 minutes to work in or around Great Falls, 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 4% of Great Falls 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 Great Falls tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $64,915 annually. In addition, 28.8% 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 Great Falls is $217,390. Compared to the median home value in Montana of $298,413, 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 Great Falls, MT
There are 8 police stations within the boundaries of Great Falls, and 2 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Great Falls center, there are 7 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Great Falls 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.
| Federal Bureau-Investigation 21 3rd St North Great Falls, MT 59401 (406) 453-9619 ifccfbi.com |
US Marshals Service 21 3rd St North # 501 Great Falls, MT 59401 (406) 453-7597 |
US Marshals Service 215 1st Avenue North Great Falls, MT 59401 (406) 453-7597 usmarshals.gov |
Safest Neighborhoods in Great Falls, MT
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Great Falls.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Great Falls, MT
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Great Falls, MT? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gibson Flats, MT | F | F | less safe |
| Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT | A- | A | more safe |
| Black Eagle, MT | C- | C | more safe |
| Tracy, MT | A- | A- | more safe |
| Sand Coulee, MT | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Portage, MT | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Ulm, MT | A+ | A | more safe |
| Castner Falls, MT | A | A | more safe |
| Vaughn, MT | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Stockett, MT | B+ | B+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Great Falls, MT
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Great Falls, MT? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ewa Beach, HI | D | C- | about as safe |
| Leesburg, VA | A+ | A | more safe |
| Union City, NJ | F | F | less safe |
| Kokomo, IN | D | D+ | about as safe |
| Kingsport, TN | D | D | about as safe |
| Janesville, WI | D | D | about as safe |
| Huntington, WV | D+ | C- | about as safe |
| Manassas, VA | D- | D | less safe |
| Huntersville, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Fayetteville, GA | B+ | A | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Great Falls, MT
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Great Falls, MT 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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 2 hours 54 minutes in Great Falls.
- The city experiences 41.83 property crimes and 5.759 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Great Falls's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably less safe than other Montana {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Great Falls. The combination of a high amount of renters (28%) and education level (29% 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 88.16 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with December & January temperatures averaging 23.02 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.5" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 49 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 28.13% of Great Falls residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 88% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Great Falls's lower household median income of $64,915 and 28.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Great Falls hosts 8 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.