The Best Home Security Systems in Pennsylvania
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Pennsylvania? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Pennsylvania home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Pennsylvania every 2 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Pennsylvania experiences 16.10 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.639 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 Pennsylvania
Best Overall
ADT
We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Pennsylvania. A higher median income of $77,970 along with an aging population (the median age in Pennsylvania is 43) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
No Contract Pick
Simplisafe
These guys offer the best all-round balance of equipment, monitoring, customer service, and price. They’re reliable and the keep your home safe—it’s a fairly comfortable #1 spot.
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 Pennsylvania?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Pennsylvania
Our analysis gives Pennsylvania a property crime grade of: A-. Pennsylvania is in the 16th percentile of safety, meaning 16% of cities in the United States are safer and 84% are more dangerous. Please visit our Pennsylvania crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the western part of Pennsylvania, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 26. Compare this to the southern part of the state, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 133.
A
B- |
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A- |
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Other Crime Grade |
A- |
A crime occurs every 1 minute (on average) in Pennsylvania.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Pennsylvania safe? Compared to all of the United States, Pennsylvania is rated safer than 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 Pennsylvania, with its burglary rate of 2.595 per 1000, is as safe as the average the United States state.
In addition, Pennsylvania is lower than other states with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Pennsylvania.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Pennsylvania |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
12.43 |
165,254 |
3,178.0 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.037 |
13,792 |
265.2 |
Burglary |
2.595 |
34,514 |
663.7 |
Arson |
0.0415 |
553 |
10.6 |
Weather and Climate in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Pennsylvania is 51.09 degrees, reaching 89.90 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 85.02 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Pennsylvania was built in 1970, which is much older than 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 newer homes in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania gets an average rainfall of 1.2" 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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania reaches an average of 36.09 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 43.46 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Pennsylvania is 53 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 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Pennsylvania 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 28.05% (3,647,699) of people in Pennsylvania, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 71.95% or 9,355,001 of Pennsylvania 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 80% of people who commute an average of 32 minutes to work in or around Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania tend to have a lower median household income than nearby states, earning $77,970 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 Pennsylvania is $222,630. 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 Pennsylvania
There are 3098 police stations within the boundaries of Pennsylvania, and 2 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Pennsylvania center, there are 196 police stations. Compared to other states, police response times in Pennsylvania may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| State Police 34 Arch Rock Road Mifflintown, PA 17059 (717) 320-1010 chambersburgdui.com |
Juniata County Sheriff Department 26 North Main St Mifflintown, PA 17059 (717) 436-2213 |
County Of Mifflin 100 Stine Drive Lewistown, PA 17044 (717) 248-1900 co.mifflin.pa.us |
Safest Cities in Pennsylvania
According to our analysis, here are the safest cities in Pennsylvania.Home Security and Property Crime in States Near Pennsylvania
Nearby State | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Pennsylvania? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | C- | D- | less safe |
| District of Columbia | F | D | less safe |
| Delaware | C+ | B | less safe |
| New Jersey | B- | B | less safe |
| New York | A | B- | about as safe |
| Virginia | B | C+ | less safe |
| West Virginia | A | A- | about as safe |
| Connecticut | C | D+ | less safe |
| Ohio | B- | A- | less safe |
| Rhode Island | A- | A | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in States Similar to Pennsylvania
Nearby State | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Pennsylvania? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | C- | C | less safe |
| Maryland | C- | D- | less safe |
| Massachusetts | A+ | A | more safe |
| Michigan | B+ | B+ | less safe |
| Minnesota | B+ | A- | less safe |
| Mississippi | C+ | B- | less safe |
| Ohio | B- | A- | less safe |
| Oklahoma | F | D | less safe |
| South Carolina | D- | F | less safe |
| South Dakota | B+ | B+ | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Pennsylvania
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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, Simplisafe, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 2 minutes in Pennsylvania.
- The state experiences 16.10 property crimes and 5.639 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Pennsylvania's property crime grade stands at an 'A-', comparably safer than other the United States {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- ADT: We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Pennsylvania. A higher median income of $77,970 along with an aging population (the median age in Pennsylvania is 43) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
- Simplisafe: These guys offer the best all-round balance of equipment, monitoring, customer service, and price. They’re reliable and the keep your home safe—it’s a fairly comfortable #1 spot.
- 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 89.90 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 36.09 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.2" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 53 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 28.05% of Pennsylvania residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 80% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Pennsylvania's lower household median income of $77,970 and 33.7% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Pennsylvania hosts 3098 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.