The Best Home Security Systems in Oskaloosa, IA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Oskaloosa, IA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Oskaloosa, IA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Oskaloosa every 1 day 19 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Oskaloosa experiences 15.18 property crimes per 1000 people and 7.455 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 Oskaloosa, IA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Oskaloosa. The combination of a high amount of renters (38%) and education level (23% 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 Oskaloosa, IA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Oskaloosa, IA. 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 city rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Oskaloosa, IA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Oskaloosa, IA
Our analysis gives Oskaloosa a property crime grade of: D+. Oskaloosa is in the 71st percentile of safety, meaning 71% of cities in Iowa are safer and 29% are more dangerous. Please visit our Oskaloosa crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the western part of Oskaloosa, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 42. Compare this to the southeastern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 90.
D+
D |
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D+ |
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Other Crime Grade |
D+ |
A crime occurs every 22 hours 59 minutes (on average) in Oskaloosa, IA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Oskaloosa safe? Compared to all of Iowa, Oskaloosa is rated as safe as the average Iowa city, which has a property crime rate of 17.97 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Oskaloosa, with its burglary rate of 5.535 per 1000, is as safe as the average Iowa city.
In addition, Oskaloosa is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Oskaloosa, IA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Oskaloosa, IA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
8.425 |
112 |
2.2 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.208 |
16 |
0.3 |
Burglary |
5.535 |
74 |
1.4 |
Arson |
0.0166 |
0 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Oskaloosa, IA
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 Oskaloosa, IA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Oskaloosa, IA is 48.04 degrees, reaching 95.25 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 88.95 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Oskaloosa was built in 1967, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Iowa build in 1974.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Oskaloosa, 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 Oskaloosa, IA
Oskaloosa, IA gets an average rainfall of 0.5" per year. This is similar to the average of 0.6" for Iowa.
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 Oskaloosa, IA
Oskaloosa, IA reaches an average of 27.84 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 33.54 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Oskaloosa is 56 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Iowa home that's 49 years old and much 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 Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa, IA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Oskaloosa 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 37.82% (5,078) of people in Oskaloosa, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 62.18% or 8,350 of Oskaloosa 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 87% of people who commute an average of 20 minutes to work in or around Oskaloosa, 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 6% of Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $58,125 annually. In addition, 22.9% 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 Oskaloosa is $119,195. Compared to the median home value in Iowa of $182,666, 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 Oskaloosa, IA
There are 2 police stations within the boundaries of Oskaloosa, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Oskaloosa center, there are 66 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Oskaloosa 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.
| Oskaloosa Police Department 214 High Avenue East Oskaloosa, IA 52577 (641) 673-3201 oskaloosaiowa.org |
Oskaloosa Police Dispatch 214 High Avenue East Oskaloosa, IA 52577 (641) 672-2557 oskaloosaiowa.org |
Pella Fire Department 614 Main St Pella, IA 50219 (641) 628-4921 cityofpella.com |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Oskaloosa, IA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Oskaloosa, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Park, IA | B | C+ | more safe |
| Beacon, IA | B- | B+ | more safe |
| Keomah Village, IA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Wright, IA | A | A | more safe |
| Leighton, IA | D- | D- | less safe |
| Cedar, IA | A | A | more safe |
| Eddyville, IA | F | F | less safe |
| Rose Hill, IA | A | A | more safe |
| Olivet, IA | C | B | more safe |
| New Sharon, IA | A- | A- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Oskaloosa, IA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Oskaloosa, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midway City, CA | C | B+ | more safe |
| Port Jefferson Station, NY | A | A- | more safe |
| North Branch, MN | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| North Bend, OR | D+ | D+ | about as safe |
| Morehead City, NC | D+ | D | about as safe |
| Moody, AL | A | A+ | more safe |
| Monroe, WI | C- | C- | about as safe |
| Monaca, PA | B | B+ | more safe |
| Mogadore, OH | D- | D- | less safe |
| Moberly, MO | D+ | D+ | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Oskaloosa, IA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Oskaloosa, IA can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the city 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 Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa'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 19 hours in Oskaloosa.
- The city experiences 15.18 property crimes and 7.455 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Oskaloosa's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other Iowa {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Oskaloosa. The combination of a high amount of renters (38%) and education level (23% 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 95.25 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 27.84 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.5" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 56 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 37.82% of Oskaloosa residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 87% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Oskaloosa's lower household median income of $58,125 and 22.9% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Oskaloosa hosts 2 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.