The Best Home Security Systems in Portland, ME
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Portland, ME? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Portland, ME home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Portland every 3 hours 48 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Portland experiences 33.42 property crimes per 1000 people and 7.142 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 Portland, ME
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Portland. The combination of a high amount of renters (44%) and education level (53% 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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Portland, ME?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Portland, ME. 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 Portland, ME and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Portland, ME
Our analysis gives Portland a property crime grade of: D-. Portland is in the 92nd percentile of safety, meaning 92% of cities in Maine are safer and 8% are more dangerous. Please visit our Portland crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southeastern part of Portland, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 13. Compare this to the northern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 128.
D-
D+ |
|
D- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D+ |
A crime occurs every 2 hours 51 minutes (on average) in Portland, ME.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Portland safe? Compared to all of Maine, Portland is rated less safe than the average Maine city, which has a property crime rate of 14.68 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Portland, with its burglary rate of 2.110 per 1000, is as safe as the average Maine city.
In addition, Portland is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Portland, ME.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Portland, ME |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
30.46 |
2,097 |
40.3 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.6755 |
47 |
0.9 |
Burglary |
2.110 |
145 |
2.8 |
Arson |
0.1679 |
12 |
0.2 |
Weather and Climate in Portland, ME
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 Portland, ME
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Portland was built in 1967, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Maine build in 1976.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Portland, 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 Portland, ME
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 Portland, ME
Portland, ME reaches an average of 36.16 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 34.72 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Portland is 56 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Maine home that's 47 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 Portland 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 Portland, ME
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Portland 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 43.63% (29,419) of people in Portland, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 56.37% or 38,015 of Portland 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 73% of people who commute an average of 24 minutes to work in or around Portland, 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 8% of Portland 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 Portland tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $72,479 annually. In addition, 53.3% 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 Portland is $348,386. Compared to the median home value in Maine of $243,042, 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 Portland, ME
There are 15 police stations within the boundaries of Portland, and 21 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Portland center, there are 157 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Portland 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.
| Parkside Policing Center 94 Mellen St Portland, ME 4101 (207) 756-8137 portlandmaine.gov |
US Drug Enforcement Admin 1355 Congress St Portland, ME 4102 (207) 780-3331 |
US Drug Enforcement Admin 1355 Congress St Portland, ME 4102 (207) 780-3331 |
Safest Neighborhoods in Portland, ME
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Portland.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Portland, ME
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Portland, ME? |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME | D- | F | about as safe |
| Falmouth, ME | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Peaks Island, ME | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Westbrook, ME | C+ | B | more safe |
| Cape Elizabeth, ME | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Cash Corner, ME | A | A+ | more safe |
| Long Island, ME | F | F | less safe |
| Scarborough, ME | A+ | B+ | more safe |
| Cumberland Foreside, ME | B+ | C- | more safe |
| Gorham, ME | B+ | A | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Portland, ME
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Portland, ME? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Tallahassee, FL | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Tacoma, WA | D | D | more safe |
| Springfield, MA | D | D- | more safe |
| Stamford, CT | C- | C | more safe |
| Spring Valley, NV | C- | C | more safe |
| Summerville, SC | C+ | B | more safe |
| St. Paul, MN | D- | F | about as safe |
| Stockbridge, GA | B+ | B | more safe |
| Statesville, NC | C+ | B- | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Portland, ME
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Portland, ME 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 Portland 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 ADT have emerged as the top choices for Portland 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 Portland's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 3 hours 48 minutes in Portland.
- The city experiences 33.42 property crimes and 7.142 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Portland's property crime grade stands at an 'D-', comparably less safe than other Maine {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Portland. The combination of a high amount of renters (44%) and education level (53% 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 36.16 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 43.63% of Portland residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 73% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Portland's lower household median income of $72,479 and 53.3% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Portland hosts 15 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.