The Best Home Security Systems in King County, WA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in King County, WA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed King County, WA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in King County every 6 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. King County experiences 34.17 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.119 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 King County, WA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of King County. The combination of a high amount of renters (40%) and education level (51% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in King County, WA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in King County, WA. 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 King County, WA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in King County, WA
Our analysis gives King County a property crime grade of: B-. King County is in the 45th percentile of safety, meaning 45% of cities in Washington are safer and 55% are more dangerous. Please visit our King 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 King County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 16. Compare this to the southeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 57.
B
D+ |
|
B- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
A+ |
A crime occurs every 4 minutes (on average) in King County, WA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is King County safe? Compared to all of Washington, King County is rated as safe as the average Washington county, which has a property crime rate of 35.00 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where King County, with its burglary rate of 7.218 per 1000, is as safe as the average Washington county.
In addition, King County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in King County, WA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in King County, WA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
23.98 |
55,438 |
1,066.1 |
Vehicle Theft |
2.837 |
6,560 |
126.1 |
Burglary |
7.218 |
16,690 |
321.0 |
Arson |
0.1417 |
328 |
6.3 |
Weather and Climate in King County, WA
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 King County, WA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in King County, WA is 51.81 degrees, reaching 82.62 degrees in the hottest months like August & July. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 79.65 degrees in August.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in King County was built in 1982, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Washington build in 1984.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and older homes in King 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 King County, WA
King County, WA gets an average rainfall of 0.6" per year. This is lower than the average of 0.8" for Washington.
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 King County, WA
King County, WA reaches an average of 45.84 degrees in its cold months of December & January. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 39.26 degrees in December.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in King County is 41 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Washington home that's 39 years old and 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 King 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 King County, WA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your King 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 40.02% (908,351) of people in King County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 59.98% or 1,361,324 of King 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 67% of people who commute an average of 36 minutes to work in or around King 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 16% of King 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 King County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $116,818 annually. In addition, 51.4% 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 King County is $655,625. Compared to the median home value in Washington of $453,663, 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 King County, WA
There are 267 police stations within the boundaries of King County, and 7 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the King County center, there are 301 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in King 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.
| City Of Mercer Island 9611 Se 36th St Mercer Island, WA 98040 (206) 236-3500 mercergov.org |
City Of Mercer Island 9611 Se 36th St Mercer Island, WA 98040 (206) 236-3500 mercergov.org |
Beaux Arts Village Town Clerk 10550 Se 27th St Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 454-8580 beauxarts-wa.gov |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near King County, WA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than King County, WA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitsap County, WA | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Snohomish County, WA | B+ | B | more safe |
| Pierce County, WA | C | F | less safe |
| Mason County, WA | D+ | C | less safe |
| Jefferson County, WA | B- | B- | about as safe |
| Thurston County, WA | A- | D- | more safe |
| Clallam County, WA | F | F | less safe |
| Kittitas County, WA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Chelan County, WA | A | B+ | more safe |
| Douglas County, WA | A- | A | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to King County, WA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than King County, WA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County, CA | F | F | less safe |
| Maricopa County, AZ | D- | F | less safe |
| Los Angeles County, CA | D | C- | less safe |
| San Diego County, CA | F | F | less safe |
| Harris County, TX | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Miami-Dade County, FL | F | F | less safe |
| Cook County, IL | D- | D- | less safe |
| Burlington County, NJ | B+ | D- | more safe |
| Jefferson County, KY | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Macomb County, MI | D- | D | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in King County, WA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in King County, WA 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 King 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, ADT, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for King 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 King County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 6 minutes in King County.
- The county experiences 34.17 property crimes and 5.119 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- King County's property crime grade stands at an 'B-', comparably as safe as other Washington {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of King County. The combination of a high amount of renters (40%) and education level (51% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 82.62 degrees in the peak months of August & July.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with December & January temperatures averaging 45.84 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.6" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 41 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 40.02% of King County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 67% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering King County's higher household median income of $116,818 and 51.4% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- King County hosts 267 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.