The Best Home Security Systems in MIT, Cambridge, MA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in MIT, Cambridge, MA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed MIT, Cambridge, MA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in MIT every 1 day 2 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. MIT experiences 50.36 property crimes per 1000 people and 11.34 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 MIT, Cambridge, MA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of MIT. The combination of a high amount of renters (73%) and education level (86% 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 MIT, Cambridge, MA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in MIT, Cambridge, MA. 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 MIT, Cambridge, MA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in MIT, Cambridge, MA
Our analysis gives MIT a property crime grade of: F. MIT is in the 98th percentile of safety, meaning 98% of cities in Cambridge are safer and 2% are more dangerous. Please visit our MIT crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the central part of MIT, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 11. Compare this to the northeastern part of the neighborhood, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 40.
F
F |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
F |
A crime occurs every 17 hours 39 minutes (on average) in MIT, Cambridge, MA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is MIT safe? Compared to all of Cambridge, MIT is rated less safe than the average Cambridge neighborhood, which has a property crime rate of 27.71 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where MIT, with its burglary rate of 11.27 per 1000, is as safe as the average Cambridge neighborhood.
In addition, MIT is higher than other neighborhoods with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in MIT, Cambridge, MA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in MIT, Cambridge, MA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
37.02 |
244 |
4.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.974 |
13 |
0.2 |
Burglary |
11.27 |
74 |
1.4 |
Arson |
0.0920 |
1 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in MIT, Cambridge, MA
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 MIT, Cambridge, MA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in MIT, Cambridge, MA is 53.66 degrees, reaching 83.89 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 83.93 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in MIT was built in 1963, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Cambridge build in 1970.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in MIT, 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 MIT, Cambridge, MA
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 MIT, Cambridge, MA
MIT, Cambridge, MA reaches an average of 40.45 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 40.99 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in MIT is 60 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Cambridge home that's 53 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 MIT 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 MIT, Cambridge, MA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your MIT 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 72.85% (4,533) of people in MIT, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 27.15% or 1,689 of MIT 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 10% of people who commute an average of 18 minutes to work in or around MIT, 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 31% of MIT 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 MIT tend to have a lower median household income than nearby neighborhoods, earning $63,681 annually. In addition, 85.9% 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 MIT is $1,065,676. Compared to the median home value in Cambridge of $947,714, 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 MIT, Cambridge, MA
There are 0 police stations within the boundaries of MIT, and 115 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the MIT center, there are 808 police stations. Compared to other neighborhoods, police response times in MIT 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.
| Police Dept-Sexual Assault Unt 5 Western Avenue Cambridge, MA 2139 (617) 349-3356 |
Police Dept-Vice & Narcotics 5 Western Avenue Cambridge, MA 2139 (617) 349-3359 cambridgema.gov |
Police Dept-Sexual Assault Unt 5 Western Avenue Cambridge, MA 2139 (617) 349-3356 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Neighborhoods Near MIT, Cambridge, MA
Nearby Neighborhood | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than MIT, Cambridge, MA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area IV, Cambridge, MA | F | D- | about as safe |
| Cambridgeport, Cambridge, MA | F | F | about as safe |
| Back Bay, Boston, MA | F | F | about as safe |
| Wellington-Harrington, Cambridge, MA | D- | D | more safe |
| Fenway-Kenmore, Boston, MA | F | F | about as safe |
| East Cambridge, Cambridge, MA | F | F | about as safe |
| Mid-Cambridge, Cambridge, MA | D | D+ | more safe |
| Riverside, Cambridge, MA | F | F | about as safe |
| North Brookline, Brookline, MA | D- | D | more safe |
| Union Square, Somerville, MA | D | D+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Neighborhoods Similar to MIT, Cambridge, MA
Nearby Neighborhood | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than MIT, Cambridge, MA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Hills, Grand Prairie, TX | D- | D | more safe |
| Southside, Huntington, WV | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Southeast Como, Minneapolis, MN | F | F | about as safe |
| Southeast, Brentwood, TN | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| South Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI | D | D+ | more safe |
| South Los Altos, Los Altos, CA | A | A- | more safe |
| Los Cerritos, Long Beach, CA | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Las Positas, Santa Barbara, CA | A- | A | more safe |
| Interlake, Bellevue, WA | C | B- | more safe |
| St Jean, Detroit, MI | D- | F | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in MIT, Cambridge, MA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in MIT, Cambridge, MA 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 MIT 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 MIT 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 MIT'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 2 hours in MIT.
- The neighborhood experiences 50.36 property crimes and 11.34 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- MIT's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Cambridge {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of MIT. The combination of a high amount of renters (73%) and education level (86% 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 83.89 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 40.45 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 72.85% of MIT residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 10% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering MIT's lower household median income of $63,681 and 85.9% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- MIT hosts 0 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.