The Best Home Security Systems in Houghton, IA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Houghton, IA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Houghton, IA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Houghton every 34 days 22 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Houghton experiences 15.35 property crimes per 1000 people and 2.296 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 Houghton, IA
Best Overall
Vivint
We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 91% of residents in Houghton own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Houghton where the median age is 43.
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.
No Contract Pick
Simplisafe
These guys offer the best all-round balance of equipment, monitoring, customer service, and price. They’re reliable and the keep your home safe—it’s a fairly comfortable #1 spot.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Houghton, IA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Houghton, IA. 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 Houghton, IA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Houghton, IA
Our analysis gives Houghton a property crime grade of: D+. Houghton is in the 71st percentile of safety, meaning 71% of cities in Iowa are safer and 29% are more dangerous. Please visit our Houghton crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the central part of Houghton, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 65. Compare this to the northwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 69.
B
B+ |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
A+ |
A crime occurs every 34 days 22 hours (on average) in Houghton, IA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Houghton safe? Compared to all of Iowa, Houghton is rated as safe as the average Iowa city, which has a property crime rate of 17.97 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Houghton, with its burglary rate of 5.091 per 1000, is as safe as the average Iowa city.
In addition, Houghton is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Houghton, IA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Houghton, IA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
9.135 |
3 |
0.1 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.092 |
0 |
0.0 |
Burglary |
5.091 |
2 |
0.0 |
Arson |
0.0276 |
0 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Houghton, IA
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 Houghton, IA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Houghton, IA is 47.64 degrees, reaching 91.33 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 88.32 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Houghton was built in 1958, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Iowa build in 1974.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Houghton, 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 Houghton, IA
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 Houghton, IA
Houghton, IA reaches an average of 26.10 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 35.89 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Houghton is 65 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Iowa home that's 49 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 Houghton 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 Houghton, IA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Houghton 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 9.16% (31) of people in Houghton, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 90.84% or 305 of Houghton 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 89% of people who commute an average of 29 minutes to work in or around Houghton, 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 Houghton 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 Houghton tend to have a higher median household income than nearby cities, earning $87,020 annually. In addition, 31.8% 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 Houghton is $165,671. Compared to the median home value in Iowa of $182,666, 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 Houghton, IA
There are 0 police stations within the boundaries of Houghton, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Houghton center, there are 84 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Houghton may be much slower. When response times are less than ideal, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| West Point Police Department 313 5th St West Point, IA 52656 (319) 837-6107 |
West Point Community Club Inc 406 Avenue East West Point, IA 52656 (319) 837-6042 |
Donnellson Police Department 500 North Oak St Donnellson, IA 52625 (319) 835-5714 donnellsoniowa.com |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Houghton, IA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Houghton, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Hamill, IA | C- | B+ | more safe |
| Salem, IA | B | B+ | more safe |
| St. Paul, IA | D+ | B | about as safe |
| Hillsboro, IA | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Primrose, IA | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Franklin, IA | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Oakland Mills, IA | B- | B+ | more safe |
| West Point, IA | B- | C- | more safe |
| Donnellson, IA | B- | A | more safe |
| Bonaparte, IA | D | D | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Houghton, IA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Houghton, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jones Mill, TN | C | C | more safe |
| Jasper, OH | F | D- | less safe |
| Jeannette, TN | D- | D- | less safe |
| Jearoldstown, TN | B | B | more safe |
| Jeddo, AL | D+ | D+ | about as safe |
| Jenny Lind, NC | B | B+ | more safe |
| Jet, OK | B- | C- | more safe |
| Jewell, OH | A | A | more safe |
| Jonathan, MS | D | D- | less safe |
| Jardin, TX | B | B+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Houghton, IA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Houghton, IA 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 Houghton residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
Vivint, ADT, and Simplisafe have emerged as the top choices for Houghton 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 Houghton's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 34 days 22 hours in Houghton.
- The city experiences 15.35 property crimes and 2.296 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Houghton's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other Iowa {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Vivint: We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 91% of residents in Houghton own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Houghton where the median age is 43.
- 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.
- Simplisafe: These guys offer the best all-round balance of equipment, monitoring, customer service, and price. They’re reliable and the keep your home safe—it’s a fairly comfortable #1 spot.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 91.33 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 26.10 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 9.16% of Houghton residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 89% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Houghton's higher household median income of $87,020 and 31.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Houghton hosts 0 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.