The Best Home Security Systems in Montana

Are you looking for the best home security systems in Montana? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Montana home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why

A property crime is committed in Montana every 18 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Montana experiences 25.73 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.792 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 Montana

Best Overall

ADT
ADT Logo

We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Montana. A higher median income of $66,821 along with an aging population (the median age in Montana is 43) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.

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Affordable Option

Ring
Ring Logo

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.

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Upgrade Pick

Vivint
Vivint Logo

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.

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Do You Need a Home Security System in Montana?

Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Montana. 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 state rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Montana and our home security system recommendations that result from that.

Property Crime in Montana

Our analysis gives Montana a property crime grade of: C+. Montana is in the 51st percentile of safety, meaning 51% of cities in the United States are safer and 49% are more dangerous. Please visit our Montana crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.

Montana Map of Rates

Crime Grades

A+
C
F
A+ (dark green) areas are safest

Property crime is highest in the southeastern part of Montana, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 31. Compare this to the southern part of the state, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 58.

So, is Montana safe? Compared to all of the United States, Montana is rated as safe as the average the United States state, which has a property crime rate of 27.99 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Montana, with its burglary rate of 3.727 per 1000, is as safe as the average the United States state.

In addition, Montana is lower than other states with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Montana.

Crime Type
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents)
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Montana
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week
Theft
19.29
21,425
412.0
Vehicle Theft
2.563
2,847
54.7
Burglary
3.727
4,140
79.6
Arson
0.1540
171
3.3

Weather and Climate in Montana

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 Montana

Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Montana is 39.85 degrees, reaching 87.95 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 83.28 degrees in July.

Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Montana was built in 1983, which is about average compared to the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in the United States build in 1978.

Between average seasonal temperatures and average home ages in Montana, 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 Montana

Montana gets an average rainfall of 0.4" per year. This is lower than the average of 30.2" for the United States.

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 Montana

Montana reaches an average of 26.49 degrees in its cold months of December & January. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 26.84 degrees in December.

The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Montana is 40 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average the United States home that's 45 years old and about the same amount of 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 Montana 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 Montana

To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Montana 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 26.35% (285,672) of people in Montana, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 73.65% or 798,553 of Montana 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 81% of people who commute an average of 25 minutes to work in or around Montana, 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 5% of Montana 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 Montana tend to have a lower median household income than nearby states, earning $66,821 annually. In addition, 33.7% 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 Montana is $298,413. Compared to the median home value in the United States of $318,880, 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 Montana

There are 386 police stations within the boundaries of Montana, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Montana center, there are 12 police stations. Compared to other states, police response times in Montana may be much slower. When response times are less than ideal, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.

County Sheriff
101 West Crawford St
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
(406) 547-3397
sdsheriff.net
Judith Basin County Sheriff
91 3rd St North
Stanford, MT 59479
(406) 566-2212
Cascade County Sheriff Department
3800 Ulm North Frontage Road Stop 1
Great Falls, MT 59404
(406) 454-6820
cascadecountymt.gov

Safest Cities in Montana

According to our analysis, here are the safest cities in Montana.

Home Security and Property Crime in States Near Montana

Nearby State
Property Crime Grade
Overall Crime Grade
Safer than Montana?
IdahoAA+more safe
WyomingB+B-more safe
WashingtonD+D-less safe
UtahC-C-less safe
North DakotaC-C+less safe
OregonD-D+less safe
ColoradoD-Fless safe
South DakotaB+B+more safe
NevadaD-Dless safe
NebraskaBA-more safe

Home Security and Property Crime in States Similar to Montana

Nearby State
Property Crime Grade
Overall Crime Grade
Safer than Montana?
ConnecticutCD+less safe
CaliforniaDD-less safe
IllinoisBBmore safe
HawaiiDD+less safe
GeorgiaCC+about as safe
FloridaB-Cabout as safe
District of ColumbiaFDless safe
New HampshireA+A+more safe
New YorkAB-more safe
North CarolinaD+C-less safe

Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Montana

Deciding whether you need a home security system in Montana can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the state 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 Montana 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, Ring, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Montana 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 Montana's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.

Property Crime Insights

  • A property crime occurs approximately every 18 minutes in Montana.
  • The state experiences 25.73 property crimes and 6.792 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
  • Montana's property crime grade stands at an 'C+', comparably as safe as other the United States {{place_type__plural_lower}}.

Noteworthy Security Companies

  • ADT: We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Montana. A higher median income of $66,821 along with an aging population (the median age in Montana is 43) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
  • 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 87.95 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
  • Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with December & January temperatures averaging 26.49 degrees.
  • Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.4" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 40 years.

Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation

  • 26.35% of Montana residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
  • Given the 81% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
  • Considering Montana's lower household median income of $66,821 and 33.7% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.

Local Police Presence

  • Montana hosts 386 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.