The Best Home Security Systems in Harris County, TX
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Harris County, TX? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Harris County, TX home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Harris County every 3 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Harris County experiences 29.62 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.769 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 Harris County, TX
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Harris County. The combination of a high amount of renters (49%) and education level (31% 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 Harris County, TX?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Harris County, TX. 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 Harris County, TX and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Harris County, TX
Our analysis gives Harris County a property crime grade of: D+. Harris County is in the 74th percentile of safety, meaning 74% of cities in Texas are safer and 26% are more dangerous. Please visit our Harris County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northern part of Harris County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 11. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 73.
C-
C+ |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B- |
A crime occurs every 2 minutes (on average) in Harris County, TX.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Harris County safe? Compared to all of Texas, Harris County is rated as safe as the average Texas county, which has a property crime rate of 27.55 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Harris County, with its burglary rate of 3.993 per 1000, is as safe as the average Texas county.
In addition, Harris County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Harris County, TX.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Harris County, TX |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
22.50 |
108,621 |
2,088.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
2.925 |
14,124 |
271.6 |
Burglary |
3.993 |
19,275 |
370.7 |
Arson |
0.2017 |
974 |
18.7 |
Weather and Climate in Harris County, TX
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 Harris County, TX
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Harris County, TX is 71.33 degrees, reaching 103.54 degrees in the hottest months like August & July. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 104.70 degrees in August.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Harris County was built in 1987, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Texas build in 1990.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Harris County, 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 Harris County, TX
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 Harris County, TX
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Harris County is 36 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Texas 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 Harris County 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 Harris County, TX
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Harris County 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 49.19% (2,327,184) of people in Harris County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 50.81% or 2,403,961 of Harris County 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 82% of people who commute an average of 35 minutes to work in or around Harris County, 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 Harris County 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 Harris County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $71,134 annually. In addition, 30.7% 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 Harris County is $235,623. Compared to the median home value in Texas of $235,268, 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 Harris County, TX
There are 1064 police stations within the boundaries of Harris County, and 155 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Harris County center, there are 394 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Harris County 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.
| Houston Police Department 1335 West 43rd St Houston, TX 77018 (713) 956-3140 houstontx.gov |
Federal Bureau-Investigation 2500 East T C Jester Boulevard # 200 Houston, TX 77008 (713) 693-5000 |
Houston Police Department 1127 North Shepherd Drive Houston, TX 77008 (713) 803-1151 houstonpolice.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Harris County, TX
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Harris County, TX? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Bend County, TX | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Montgomery County, TX | A+ | A | more safe |
| Brazoria County, TX | C- | C | more safe |
| Waller County, TX | C- | D | more safe |
| Galveston County, TX | B | C | more safe |
| Liberty County, TX | C+ | B- | more safe |
| Chambers County, TX | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Austin County, TX | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Washington County, TX | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Colorado County, TX | B- | C+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Harris County, TX
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Harris County, TX? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa County, AZ | D- | F | less safe |
| Orange County, CA | F | F | less safe |
| Los Angeles County, CA | D | C- | about as safe |
| San Diego County, CA | F | F | less safe |
| Miami-Dade County, FL | F | F | less safe |
| Cook County, IL | D- | D- | less safe |
| Duval County, FL | D | D+ | about as safe |
| Bergen County, NJ | D- | C | less safe |
| Montgomery County, PA | A | A+ | more safe |
| Delaware County, PA | C | C+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Harris County, TX
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Harris County, TX 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 Harris County 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 Harris County 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 Harris County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 3 minutes in Harris County.
- The county experiences 29.62 property crimes and 6.769 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Harris County's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other Texas {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Harris County. The combination of a high amount of renters (49%) and education level (31% 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 103.54 degrees in the peak months of August & July.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 49.19% of Harris County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 82% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Harris County's lower household median income of $71,134 and 30.7% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Harris County hosts 1064 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.