The Best Home Security Systems in Helena, MT
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Helena, MT? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Helena, MT home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Helena every 12 hours 16 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Helena experiences 22.18 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.585 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 Helena, MT
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Helena. The combination of a high amount of renters (41%) and education level (49% 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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Helena, MT?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Helena, 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 Helena, MT and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Helena, MT
Our analysis gives Helena a property crime grade of: C. Helena is in the 59th percentile of safety, meaning 59% of cities in Montana are safer and 41% are more dangerous. Please visit our Helena crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the central part of Helena, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 28. Compare this to the northeastern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 109.
C+
B |
|
C |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C |
A crime occurs every 7 hours 32 minutes (on average) in Helena, MT.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Helena safe? Compared to all of Montana, Helena is rated as safe as the average Montana city, which has a property crime rate of 25.73 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Helena, with its burglary rate of 2.997 per 1000, is as safe as the average Montana city.
In addition, Helena is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Helena, MT.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Helena, MT |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
16.34 |
525 |
10.1 |
Vehicle Theft |
2.669 |
86 |
1.7 |
Burglary |
2.997 |
96 |
1.9 |
Arson |
0.1712 |
6 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in Helena, 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 Helena, MT
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Helena, MT is 41.54 degrees, reaching 89.15 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 83.71 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Helena was built in 1978, which is about average compared to the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Montana build in 1983.
Between average seasonal temperatures and average home ages in Helena, 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 Helena, MT
Helena, MT gets an average rainfall of 0.4" per year. This is similar to 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 Helena, MT
Helena, MT reaches an average of 28.38 degrees in its cold months of December & January. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 27.74 degrees in December.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Helena is 45 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 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 Helena 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 Helena, MT
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Helena 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 40.53% (13,155) of people in Helena, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 59.47% or 19,302 of Helena 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 77% of people who commute an average of 19 minutes to work in or around Helena, 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 9% of Helena 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 Helena tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $67,097 annually. In addition, 48.9% 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 Helena is $276,995. 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 Helena, MT
There are 17 police stations within the boundaries of Helena, and 11 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Helena center, there are 17 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Helena 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.
| Federal Bureau-Investigation 10 West 15th St # 1200 Helena, MT 59626 (406) 443-3617 ifccfbi.com |
Us Marshals Service 901 Front St # 2200 Helena, MT 59626 (406) 441-1200 |
Crime Stoppers 221 Breckenridge St Helena, MT 59601 (406) 443-2000 cityofhelena.org |
Safest Neighborhoods in Helena, MT
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Helena.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Helena, MT
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Helena, MT? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena West Side, MT | C | C | about as safe |
| Helena Valley West Central, MT | C+ | A- | more safe |
| Fort Harrison, MT | A | A- | more safe |
| Helena Valley Southeast, MT | B | A- | more safe |
| Montana City, MT | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Clancy, MT | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Helena Valley Northeast, MT | A+ | B | more safe |
| East Helena, MT | C | B- | about as safe |
| Helena Valley Northwest, MT | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Rimini, MT | A- | B+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Helena, MT
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Helena, MT? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andover, MN | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Willingboro, NJ | B | B- | more safe |
| Westlake, OH | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| West Odessa, TX | C | C- | about as safe |
| West Falls Church, VA | A | A+ | more safe |
| West Chicago, IL | C | B | about as safe |
| Watertown, NY | D | D+ | less safe |
| Warsaw, IN | C+ | C+ | about as safe |
| Tifton, GA | D | D | less safe |
| Stevens Point, WI | D+ | D+ | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Helena, MT
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Helena, 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 Helena 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 ADT have emerged as the top choices for Helena 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 Helena's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 12 hours 16 minutes in Helena.
- The city experiences 22.18 property crimes and 6.585 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Helena's property crime grade stands at an 'C', comparably as safe as other Montana {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Helena. The combination of a high amount of renters (41%) and education level (49% 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 89.15 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with December & January temperatures averaging 28.38 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.4" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 45 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 40.53% of Helena residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 77% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Helena's lower household median income of $67,097 and 48.9% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Helena hosts 17 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.