The Best Home Security Systems in Monterey County, CA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Monterey County, CA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Monterey County, CA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Monterey County every 45 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Monterey County experiences 25.87 property crimes per 1000 people and 31.52 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 Monterey County, CA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Monterey County. The combination of a high amount of renters (45%) and education level (26% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
Best Reputation
ADT
Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Monterey County, CA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Monterey County, 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 county rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Monterey County, CA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Monterey County, CA
Our analysis gives Monterey County a property crime grade of: D. Monterey County is in the 81st percentile of safety, meaning 81% of cities in California are safer and 19% are more dangerous. Please visit our Monterey County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northwestern part of Monterey County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 9. Compare this to the central part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 121.
D
D+ |
|
D |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D- |
A crime occurs every 15 minutes (on average) in Monterey County, CA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Monterey County safe? Compared to all of California, Monterey County is rated safer than the average California county, which has a property crime rate of 37.66 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Monterey County, with its burglary rate of 7.700 per 1000, is as safe as the average California county.
In addition, Monterey County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Monterey County, CA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Monterey County, CA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
12.73 |
5,736 |
110.3 |
Vehicle Theft |
4.985 |
2,247 |
43.2 |
Burglary |
7.700 |
3,470 |
66.7 |
Arson |
0.4589 |
207 |
4.0 |
Weather and Climate in Monterey County, 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 Monterey County, CA
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Monterey County was built in 1977, which is about average compared to the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in California build in 1977.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and average home ages in Monterey County, 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 Monterey County, CA
Monterey County, CA gets an average rainfall of 0.2" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.2" for California.
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 Monterey County, CA
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Monterey County is 46 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average California home that's 46 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 Monterey County 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 Monterey County, CA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Monterey County 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 45.09% (197,953) of people in Monterey County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 54.91% or 241,082 of Monterey County 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 79% of people who commute an average of 30 minutes to work in or around Monterey County, 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 Monterey County 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 Monterey County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $89,543 annually. In addition, 26.3% 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 Monterey County is $634,512. Compared to the median home value in California of $648,235, 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 Monterey County, CA
There are 79 police stations within the boundaries of Monterey County, and 8 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Monterey County center, there are 107 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Monterey County may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Highway Patrol 960 East Blanco Road Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 796-2100 |
Mty Cnty Sheriff S Posse 744 La Guardia St # B Salinas, CA 93905 (831) 755-3200 |
Mty Cnty Sheriff S Posse 168 West Alisal St Floor 2 Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 647-7715 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Monterey County, CA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Monterey County, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno County, CA | B | C | more safe |
| San Juan County, NM | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Colfax County, NM | D- | C- | less safe |
| Cimarron County, OK | C | B- | more safe |
| Texas County, OK | C- | D | more safe |
| Harper County, OK | A- | A- | more safe |
| Woods County, OK | B- | C- | more safe |
| Alfalfa County, OK | A+ | B | more safe |
| Grant County, OK | A | A- | more safe |
| Kay County, OK | B | C+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Monterey County, CA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Monterey County, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County, CO | F | F | less safe |
| Sedgwick County, KS | D | D | about as safe |
| Chester County, PA | D- | D+ | about as safe |
| Montgomery County, OH | D+ | D | about as safe |
| Camden County, NJ | B- | B | more safe |
| Lake County, IN | D- | D | about as safe |
| Lane County, OR | D+ | C- | about as safe |
| Larimer County, CO | A+ | A- | more safe |
| Lehigh County, PA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Lake County, FL | A- | A- | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Monterey County, CA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Monterey County, CA can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the county 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 Monterey County 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, ADT, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for Monterey County 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 Monterey County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 45 minutes in Monterey County.
- The county experiences 25.87 property crimes and 31.52 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Monterey County's property crime grade stands at an 'D', comparably safer than other California {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Monterey County. The combination of a high amount of renters (45%) and education level (26% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- ADT: Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.2" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 46 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 45.09% of Monterey County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 79% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Monterey County's higher household median income of $89,543 and 26.3% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Monterey County hosts 79 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.