The Best Home Security Systems in Roanoke, VA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Roanoke, VA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Roanoke, VA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Roanoke every 3 hours 29 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Roanoke experiences 20.14 property crimes per 1000 people and 14.67 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 Roanoke, VA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Roanoke. The combination of a high amount of renters (40%) and education level (29% 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 Roanoke, VA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Roanoke, VA. 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 Roanoke, VA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Roanoke, VA
Our analysis gives Roanoke a property crime grade of: D. Roanoke is in the 83rd percentile of safety, meaning 83% of cities in Virginia are safer and 17% are more dangerous. Please visit our Roanoke crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the central part of Roanoke, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 17. Compare this to the southwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 76.
D-
C- |
|
D |
|
Other Crime Grade |
F |
A crime occurs every 1 hour 44 minutes (on average) in Roanoke, VA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Roanoke safe? Compared to all of Virginia, Roanoke is rated as safe as the average Virginia city, which has a property crime rate of 23.20 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where Roanoke, with its burglary rate of 2.381 per 1000, is as safe as the average Virginia city.
In addition, Roanoke is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Roanoke, VA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Roanoke, VA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
16.14 |
2,015 |
38.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.564 |
195 |
3.8 |
Burglary |
2.381 |
297 |
5.7 |
Arson |
0.0480 |
6 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in Roanoke, VA
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 Roanoke, VA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Roanoke, VA is 56.57 degrees, reaching 92.83 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 90.53 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Roanoke was built in 1972, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Virginia build in 1984.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA
Roanoke, VA gets an average rainfall of 1.6" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.1" for Virginia.
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 Roanoke, VA
Roanoke, VA reaches an average of 45.16 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 54.78 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Roanoke is 51 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Virginia home that's 39 years old and 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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke, VA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Roanoke 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 40.06% (48,811) of people in Roanoke, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 59.94% or 73,038 of Roanoke 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 82% of people who commute an average of 26 minutes to work in or around Roanoke, 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 5% of Roanoke 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 Roanoke tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $59,372 annually. In addition, 28.7% 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 Roanoke is $195,414. Compared to the median home value in Virginia of $323,261, 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 Roanoke, VA
There are 34 police stations within the boundaries of Roanoke, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Roanoke center, there are 120 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Roanoke may be about average. When response times are fairly typical, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Roanoke Police Department 1920 Orange Avenue Nw Roanoke, VA 24017 (540) 853-2134 |
Roanoke City Police Department 348 Campbell Avenue Sw Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 853-2211 |
Roanoke Police Department 348 Campbell Avenue Sw Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 853-2484 roanokeciviccenter.com |
Safest Neighborhoods in Roanoke, VA
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Roanoke.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Roanoke, VA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Roanoke, VA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollins, VA | C- | C+ | more safe |
| Cave Spring, VA | C- | B- | more safe |
| Vinton, VA | D | D | about as safe |
| Salem, VA | C+ | B | more safe |
| Cloverdale, VA | A- | B+ | more safe |
| Laymantown, VA | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Mason Cove, VA | A | B+ | more safe |
| Wabun, VA | A- | A- | more safe |
| Glenvar, VA | A | A | more safe |
| Blue Ridge, VA | C- | C | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Roanoke, VA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Roanoke, VA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layton, UT | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Las Cruces, NM | B | B+ | more safe |
| Laveen, AZ | A | A | more safe |
| Largo, FL | C- | C+ | more safe |
| Lehigh Acres, FL | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Lexington, KY | D | D | about as safe |
| Lees Summit, MO | A- | A+ | more safe |
| Leander, TX | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Lansing, MI | D- | D- | about as safe |
| High Point, NC | D+ | D | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Roanoke, VA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Roanoke, VA 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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke'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 29 minutes in Roanoke.
- The city experiences 20.14 property crimes and 14.67 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Roanoke's property crime grade stands at an 'D', comparably as safe as other Virginia {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Roanoke. The combination of a high amount of renters (40%) and education level (29% 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
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 92.83 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 45.16 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.6" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 51 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 40.06% of Roanoke residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 82% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Roanoke's lower household median income of $59,372 and 28.7% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Roanoke hosts 34 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.