The Best Home Security Systems in La Crosse, WI
Are you looking for the best home security systems in La Crosse, WI? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed La Crosse, WI home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in La Crosse every 4 hours 18 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. La Crosse experiences 34.10 property crimes per 1000 people and 8.316 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 La Crosse, WI
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of La Crosse. The combination of a high amount of renters (45%) and education level (35% 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 La Crosse, WI?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in La Crosse, WI. 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 La Crosse, WI and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in La Crosse, WI
Our analysis gives La Crosse a property crime grade of: F. La Crosse is in the 97th percentile of safety, meaning 97% of cities in Wisconsin are safer and 3% are more dangerous. Please visit our La Crosse crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the eastern part of La Crosse, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 20. Compare this to the southwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 102.
F
D+ |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D- |
A crime occurs every 2 hours 31 minutes (on average) in La Crosse, WI.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is La Crosse safe? Compared to all of Wisconsin, La Crosse is rated less safe than the average Wisconsin city, which has a property crime rate of 16.76 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where La Crosse, with its burglary rate of 6.802 per 1000, is as safe as the average Wisconsin city.
In addition, La Crosse is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in La Crosse, WI.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in La Crosse, WI |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
25.80 |
1,537 |
29.6 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.488 |
89 |
1.7 |
Burglary |
6.802 |
405 |
7.8 |
Arson |
0.0067 |
0 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in La Crosse, WI
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 La Crosse, WI
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in La Crosse, WI is 42.81 degrees, reaching 86.04 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 86.29 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in La Crosse was built in 1971, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Wisconsin build in 1977.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, WI
La Crosse, WI gets an average rainfall of 1.0" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.6" for Wisconsin.
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 La Crosse, WI
La Crosse, WI reaches an average of 18.39 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 27.01 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in La Crosse is 52 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Wisconsin home that's 46 years old and 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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse, WI
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your La Crosse 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 44.93% (26,191) of people in La Crosse, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 55.07% or 32,108 of La Crosse 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 80% of people who commute an average of 22 minutes to work in or around La Crosse, 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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $57,890 annually. In addition, 34.8% 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 La Crosse is $188,572. Compared to the median home value in Wisconsin of $220,185, 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 La Crosse, WI
There are 11 police stations within the boundaries of La Crosse, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the La Crosse center, there are 79 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in La Crosse may be about average. When response times are fairly typical, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| City Of La Crosse La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 784-8477 cityoflacrosse.org |
Uw LA Crosse Police Service 525 East Avenue North La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 789-9000 uwlax.edu |
LA Crosse City Police Department 400 La Crosse St La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 785-5962 cityoflacrosse.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near La Crosse, WI
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than La Crosse, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Island, WI | F | F | about as safe |
| La Crescent, MN | D- | D- | more safe |
| Shelby, WI | B+ | A | more safe |
| Onalaska, WI | C+ | B+ | more safe |
| Brownsville, MN | F | D- | about as safe |
| Stoddard, WI | C+ | B | more safe |
| St. Joseph, WI | D- | D | about as safe |
| Hokah, MN | F | D- | about as safe |
| West Salem, WI | F | F | about as safe |
| Holmen, WI | D- | D+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to La Crosse, WI
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than La Crosse, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elyria, OH | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Kettering, OH | B | B+ | more safe |
| Huntsville, TX | D | D | more safe |
| Houma, LA | C- | C- | more safe |
| Garner, NC | C+ | B- | more safe |
| Florence, AL | C+ | B | more safe |
| Columbia, TN | C+ | C | more safe |
| Colton, CA | C- | C- | more safe |
| Coconut Creek, FL | F | F | about as safe |
| Carson City, NV | B- | C+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in La Crosse, WI
Deciding whether you need a home security system in La Crosse, WI 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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 4 hours 18 minutes in La Crosse.
- The city experiences 34.10 property crimes and 8.316 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- La Crosse's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Wisconsin {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of La Crosse. The combination of a high amount of renters (45%) and education level (35% 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 86.04 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 18.39 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.0" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 52 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 44.93% of La Crosse residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 80% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering La Crosse's lower household median income of $57,890 and 34.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- La Crosse hosts 11 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.