The Best Home Security Systems in Merriwood, Oakland, CA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Merriwood, Oakland, CA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Merriwood, Oakland, CA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Merriwood every 11 days 13 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Merriwood experiences 7.369 property crimes per 1000 people and 1.801 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 Merriwood, Oakland, CA
Best Overall
ADT
We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Merriwood. A higher median income of $197,131 along with an aging population (the median age in Merriwood is 45) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
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 Merriwood, Oakland, CA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Merriwood, Oakland, CA. 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 neighborhood rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Merriwood, Oakland, CA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Merriwood, Oakland, CA
Our analysis gives Merriwood a property crime grade of: A+. Merriwood is in the 3rd percentile of safety, meaning 3% of cities in Oakland are safer and 97% are more dangerous. Please visit our Merriwood crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southeastern part of Merriwood, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 124. Compare this to the central part of the neighborhood, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 155.
A-
A- |
|
A+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B |
A crime occurs every 3 days 8 hours (on average) in Merriwood, Oakland, CA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Merriwood safe? Compared to all of Oakland, Merriwood is rated safer than the average Oakland neighborhood, which has a property crime rate of 45.31 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Merriwood, with its burglary rate of 2.940 per 1000, is as safe as the average Oakland neighborhood.
In addition, Merriwood is lower than other neighborhoods with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Merriwood, Oakland, CA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Merriwood, Oakland, CA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
1.346 |
6 |
0.1 |
Vehicle Theft |
2.746 |
12 |
0.2 |
Burglary |
2.940 |
13 |
0.2 |
Arson |
0.3371 |
1 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Merriwood, Oakland, CA
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 Merriwood, Oakland, CA
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Merriwood was built in 1976, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Oakland build in 1959.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and older homes in Merriwood, 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 Merriwood, Oakland, CA
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 Merriwood, Oakland, CA
Merriwood, Oakland, CA reaches an average of 56.99 degrees in its cold months of December & January. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 55.00 degrees in December.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Merriwood is 47 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Oakland home that's 64 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 Merriwood 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 Merriwood, Oakland, CA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Merriwood 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 17.62% (712) of people in Merriwood, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 82.38% or 3,326 of Merriwood 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 58% of people who commute an average of 36 minutes to work in or around Merriwood, 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 23% of Merriwood 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 Merriwood tend to have a higher median household income than nearby neighborhoods, earning $197,131 annually. In addition, 82.7% 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 Merriwood is $1,029,603. Compared to the median home value in Oakland of $733,779, 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 Merriwood, Oakland, CA
There are 0 police stations within the boundaries of Merriwood, and 51 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Merriwood center, there are 465 police stations. Compared to other neighborhoods, police response times in Merriwood may be much faster. Even when response times are great, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Piedmont Police Department 403 Highland Avenue Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 420-3000 |
Piedmont Police Detectives 403 Highland Avenue Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 420-3013 |
Orinda Police Department 22 Orinda Way Orinda, CA 94563 (925) 254-6820 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Neighborhoods Near Merriwood, Oakland, CA
Nearby Neighborhood | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Merriwood, Oakland, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Rockridge, Oakland, CA | A | A- | less safe |
| Montclair, Oakland, CA | A | A | less safe |
| Claremont, Berkeley, CA | B- | B- | less safe |
| Rockridge, Oakland, CA | C- | B- | less safe |
| Piedmont Pines, Oakland, CA | A+ | A+ | about as safe |
| Shafter, Oakland, CA | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA | D- | C- | less safe |
| Fairview Park, Oakland, CA | C+ | B- | less safe |
| Elmwood, Berkeley, CA | F | D- | less safe |
| Temescal, Oakland, CA | F | D- | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Neighborhoods Similar to Merriwood, Oakland, CA
Nearby Neighborhood | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Merriwood, Oakland, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babcock, Buffalo, NY | D- | D- | less safe |
| Wedgemere Historic District, Winchester, MA | B- | B+ | less safe |
| Wayne State, Detroit, MI | D- | F | less safe |
| Waterway Village, Kissimmee, FL | D | D+ | less safe |
| Sayles Boulevard Area, Abilene, TX | D+ | C | less safe |
| Saint Joseph, Louisville, KY | F | D- | less safe |
| Miramar, Jacksonville, FL | C- | D+ | less safe |
| Lakeview, Buffalo, NY | D- | D- | less safe |
| Holden-Parramore, Orlando, FL | C- | D- | less safe |
| Glen Elder, Sacramento, CA | D+ | D+ | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Merriwood, Oakland, CA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Merriwood, Oakland, CA can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the neighborhood 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 Merriwood residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
ADT, Simplisafe, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Merriwood 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 Merriwood's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 11 days 13 hours in Merriwood.
- The neighborhood experiences 7.369 property crimes and 1.801 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Merriwood's property crime grade stands at an 'A+', comparably safer than other Oakland {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- ADT: We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Merriwood. A higher median income of $197,131 along with an aging population (the median age in Merriwood is 45) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
- 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
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with December & January temperatures averaging 56.99 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 17.62% of Merriwood residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 58% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Merriwood's higher household median income of $197,131 and 82.7% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Merriwood hosts 0 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.