The Best Home Security Systems in Howard County, TX
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Howard County, TX? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Howard 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 Howard County every 15 hours 58 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Howard County experiences 16.31 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.939 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 Howard County, TX
Best Overall
Ring
We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 34% of residents in Howard County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $61,005, about comparable to the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
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.
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 Howard County, TX?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Howard 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 Howard County, TX and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Howard County, TX
Our analysis gives Howard County a property crime grade of: C+. Howard County is in the 46th percentile of safety, meaning 46% of cities in Texas are safer and 54% are more dangerous. Please visit our Howard County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the western part of Howard County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 43. Compare this to the southeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 97.
B-
D- |
|
C+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B |
A crime occurs every 7 hours 23 minutes (on average) in Howard County, TX.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Howard County safe? Compared to all of Texas, Howard County is rated safer than the average Texas county, which has a property crime rate of 27.55 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Howard County, with its burglary rate of 7.584 per 1000, is as safe as the average Texas county.
In addition, Howard County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Howard County, TX.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Howard County, TX |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
7.448 |
251 |
4.8 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.095 |
37 |
0.7 |
Burglary |
7.584 |
255 |
4.9 |
Arson |
0.1815 |
6 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in Howard 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 Howard County, TX
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Howard County, TX is 62.70 degrees, reaching 98.86 degrees in the hottest months like July & June. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 97.69 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Howard County was built in 1968, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Texas build in 1990.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Howard 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 Howard County, TX
Howard County, TX gets an average rainfall of 0.3" per year. This is lower than the average of 0.7" for Texas.
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 Howard County, TX
Howard County, TX reaches an average of 57.18 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 60.84 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Howard County is 55 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 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 Howard 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 Howard County, TX
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Howard 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 33.95% (11,833) of people in Howard County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 66.05% or 23,027 of Howard 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 94% of people who commute an average of 27 minutes to work in or around Howard 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 2% of Howard 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 Howard County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $61,005 annually. In addition, 14.0% 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 Howard County is $115,429. Compared to the median home value in Texas of $235,268, 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 Howard County, TX
There are 13 police stations within the boundaries of Howard County, and 7 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Howard County center, there are 42 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Howard County may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Howard County Sheriff 1311 West Highway 80 Big Spring, TX 79720 (432) 264-2244 |
Animal Control 400 East 4th St Big Spring, TX 79720 (432) 264-2372 |
Big Spring Criminal Invstgtn 400 East 4th St Big Spring, TX 79720 (432) 264-2548 bigspringpd.net |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Howard County, TX
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Howard County, TX? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin County, TX | A | A- | more safe |
| Mitchell County, TX | C | D- | less safe |
| Andrews County, TX | B- | B+ | about as safe |
| Callahan County, TX | B | A- | more safe |
| Eastland County, TX | D- | D | less safe |
| Erath County, TX | B+ | A | more safe |
| Somervell County, TX | C+ | B | about as safe |
| Dona Ana County, NM | A- | A- | more safe |
| Henderson County, TX | A- | A | more safe |
| Smith County, TX | B- | B | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Howard County, TX
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Howard County, TX? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, ID | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Prince George County, VA | D- | D | less safe |
| Prentiss County, MS | A | A- | more safe |
| Pottawatomie County, KS | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Posey County, IN | C+ | B- | about as safe |
| Lee County, IL | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Lee County, IA | C+ | C | about as safe |
| Juneau County, WI | C | C+ | less safe |
| Johnson County, AR | A- | A | more safe |
| Jefferson County, WA | B- | B- | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Howard County, TX
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Howard 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 Howard 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.
Ring, Simplisafe, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Howard 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 Howard County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 15 hours 58 minutes in Howard County.
- The county experiences 16.31 property crimes and 5.939 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Howard County's property crime grade stands at an 'C+', comparably safer than other Texas {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Ring: We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 34% of residents in Howard County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $61,005, about comparable to the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
- 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.
- 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 98.86 degrees in the peak months of July & June.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 57.18 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.3" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 55 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 33.95% of Howard County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 94% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Howard County's higher household median income of $61,005 and 14.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Howard County hosts 13 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.