The Best Home Security Systems in Laurel, VA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Laurel, VA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Laurel, VA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Laurel every 1 day 21 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Laurel experiences 12.11 property crimes per 1000 people and 2.973 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 Laurel, VA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Laurel. The combination of a high amount of renters (52%) and education level (29% 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 Laurel, VA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Laurel, VA. 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 Laurel, VA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Laurel, VA
Our analysis gives Laurel a property crime grade of: C-. Laurel is in the 62nd percentile of safety, meaning 62% of cities in Virginia are safer and 38% are more dangerous. Please visit our Laurel crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southwestern part of Laurel, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 47. Compare this to the northern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 148.
B-
B- |
|
C- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
A- |
A crime occurs every 1 day 5 hours (on average) in Laurel, VA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Laurel safe? Compared to all of Virginia, Laurel is rated safer than the average Virginia city, which has a property crime rate of 23.20 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Laurel, with its burglary rate of 1.176 per 1000, is as safe as the average Virginia city.
In addition, Laurel is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Laurel, VA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Laurel, VA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
9.802 |
157 |
3.0 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.073 |
17 |
0.3 |
Burglary |
1.176 |
19 |
0.4 |
Arson |
0.0549 |
1 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Laurel, VA
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 Laurel, VA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Laurel, VA is 58.29 degrees, reaching 97.27 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 93.66 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Laurel was built in 1982, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Virginia build in 1984.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Laurel, 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 Laurel, VA
Laurel, VA gets an average rainfall of 1.4" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.1" for Virginia.
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 Laurel, VA
Laurel, VA reaches an average of 48.28 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 57.26 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Laurel is 41 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Virginia 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 Laurel 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 Laurel, VA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Laurel 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 51.87% (8,437) of people in Laurel, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 48.13% or 7,828 of Laurel 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 85% of people who commute an average of 25 minutes to work in or around Laurel, 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 7% of Laurel 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 Laurel tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $64,278 annually. In addition, 29.0% 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 Laurel is $212,756. Compared to the median home value in Virginia of $323,261, 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 Laurel, VA
There are 13 police stations within the boundaries of Laurel, and 3 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Laurel center, there are 163 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Laurel may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Henrico County Sheriff's Office 4301 East Parham Road Richmond, VA 23228 (804) 501-5860 henricocounty.com |
Henrico County Police Department 7701 East Parham Road Richmond, VA 23294 (804) 501-5000 |
Henrico County Fire Department 7721 East Parham Road Richmond, VA 23294 (804) 501-4900 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Laurel, VA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Laurel, VA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeside, VA | D | C- | less safe |
| Glen Allen, VA | B | A | more safe |
| Innsbrook, VA | F | F | less safe |
| Chamberlayne, VA | A | A | more safe |
| Tuckahoe, VA | C | A- | about as safe |
| Poindexters, VA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Short Pump, VA | D+ | C | less safe |
| Wyndham, VA | D- | D- | less safe |
| Richmond, VA | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Ashland, VA | C+ | B | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Laurel, VA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Laurel, VA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafollette, TN | D+ | D | less safe |
| McCordsville, IN | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Mastic, NY | A- | C+ | more safe |
| Mars, PA | A | A | more safe |
| Marion, AR | A+ | A | more safe |
| Marianna, FL | C | C | about as safe |
| Marco Island, FL | D- | D | less safe |
| Lincoln, IL | D | D | less safe |
| Las Vegas, NM | C | C+ | about as safe |
| Las Carolinas, PR | D- | B+ | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Laurel, VA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Laurel, VA 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 Laurel 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 Laurel 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 Laurel's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 1 day 21 hours in Laurel.
- The city experiences 12.11 property crimes and 2.973 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Laurel's property crime grade stands at an 'C-', comparably safer than other Virginia {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Laurel. The combination of a high amount of renters (52%) and education level (29% 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 97.27 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 48.28 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.4" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 41 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 51.87% of Laurel residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 85% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Laurel's lower household median income of $64,278 and 29.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Laurel hosts 13 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.