The Best Home Security Systems in Near West Side, Chicago, IL
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Near West Side, Chicago, IL? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Near West Side, Chicago, IL home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Near West Side every 5 hours 51 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Near West Side experiences 45.13 property crimes per 1000 people and 7.963 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 Near West Side, Chicago, IL
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Near West Side. The combination of a high amount of renters (57%) and education level (58% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
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.
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 Near West Side, Chicago, IL?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Near West Side, Chicago, IL. 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 Near West Side, Chicago, IL and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Near West Side, Chicago, IL
Our analysis gives Near West Side a property crime grade of: F. Near West Side is in the 95th percentile of safety, meaning 95% of cities in Chicago are safer and 5% are more dangerous. Please visit our Near West Side crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Near West Side, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 15. Compare this to the northern part of the neighborhood, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 36.
F
F |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D- |
A crime occurs every 3 hours 36 minutes (on average) in Near West Side, Chicago, IL.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Near West Side safe? Compared to all of Chicago, Near West Side is rated less safe than the average Chicago neighborhood, which has a property crime rate of 24.83 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Near West Side, with its burglary rate of 4.746 per 1000, is as safe as the average Chicago neighborhood.
In addition, Near West Side is higher than other neighborhoods with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Near West Side, Chicago, IL.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Near West Side, Chicago, IL |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
37.71 |
1,251 |
24.1 |
Vehicle Theft |
2.381 |
79 |
1.5 |
Burglary |
4.746 |
157 |
3.0 |
Arson |
0.2891 |
10 |
0.2 |
Weather and Climate in Near West Side, Chicago, IL
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 Near West Side, Chicago, IL
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Near West Side, Chicago, IL is 46.78 degrees, reaching 82.07 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 82.95 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Near West Side was built in 1990, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Chicago build in 1974.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and older homes in Near West Side, 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 Near West Side, Chicago, IL
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 Near West Side, Chicago, IL
Near West Side, Chicago, IL reaches an average of 27.71 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 25.49 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Near West Side is 33 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Chicago home that's 49 years old and much 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 Near West Side 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 Near West Side, Chicago, IL
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Near West Side 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 57.37% (18,165) of people in Near West Side, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 42.63% or 13,496 of Near West Side 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 42% of people who commute an average of 33 minutes to work in or around Near West Side, 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 10% of Near West Side 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 Near West Side tend to have a higher median household income than nearby neighborhoods, earning $90,940 annually. In addition, 58.3% 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 Near West Side is $371,582. Compared to the median home value in Chicago of $290,679, 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 Near West Side, Chicago, IL
There are 35 police stations within the boundaries of Near West Side, and 166 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Near West Side center, there are 768 police stations. Compared to other neighborhoods, police response times in Near West Side 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.
| Chicago Police Dept-Emerg Comm 1411 West Madison St Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 746-9378 cityofchicago.org |
Chicago Police Department 100 South Racine Avenue Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 746-8396 |
City Of Chicago 100 South Racine Avenue Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 746-8309 cityofchicago.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Neighborhoods Near Near West Side, Chicago, IL
Nearby Neighborhood | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Near West Side, Chicago, IL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Village, Chicago, IL | F | F | about as safe |
| Greektown, Chicago, IL | F | F | about as safe |
| Claremont Cottages, Chicago, IL | F | F | about as safe |
| Pilsen, Chicago, IL | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Lower West Side, Chicago, IL | D- | D- | about as safe |
| West Town, Chicago, IL | D | D | more safe |
| Printers Row, Chicago, IL | D- | F | about as safe |
| Ukrainian Village, Chicago, IL | C+ | D+ | more safe |
| Loop, Chicago, IL | F | F | about as safe |
| Near North Side, Chicago, IL | F | F | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Neighborhoods Similar to Near West Side, Chicago, IL
Nearby Neighborhood | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Near West Side, Chicago, IL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Gate, Glen Burnie, MD | C | C | more safe |
| Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA | B | B | more safe |
| Pennsport-Whitman-Queen, Philadelphia, PA | F | F | about as safe |
| Pottage Park, Chicago, IL | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Riverdale, Bronx, NY | F | D- | about as safe |
| Rosedale, Queens, NY | D | C- | more safe |
| Serra Mesa, San Diego, CA | B- | B- | more safe |
| South Central, Reno, NV | C | D+ | more safe |
| South Dallas Fair Park, Dallas, TX | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| South End, Boston, MA | D | D | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Near West Side, Chicago, IL
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Near West Side, Chicago, IL 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 Near West Side 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, Vivint, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for Near West Side 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 Near West Side's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 5 hours 51 minutes in Near West Side.
- The neighborhood experiences 45.13 property crimes and 7.963 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Near West Side's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Chicago {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Near West Side. The combination of a high amount of renters (57%) and education level (58% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top 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.
- 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
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 82.07 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 27.71 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 57.37% of Near West Side residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 42% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Near West Side's higher household median income of $90,940 and 58.3% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Near West Side hosts 35 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.