The Best Home Security Systems in Rochester, NY

Are you looking for the best home security systems in Rochester, NY? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Rochester, NY home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why

A property crime is committed in Rochester every 2 hours 0 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Rochester experiences 3.902 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.912 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 Rochester, NY

Best Overall

Simplisafe
Simplisafe Logo

We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Rochester. The combination of a high amount of renters (31%) and education level (38% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.

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Affordable Option

Ring
Ring Logo

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.

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Best Reputation

ADT
ADT Logo

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.

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Do You Need a Home Security System in Rochester, NY?

Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Rochester, NY. 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 Rochester, NY and our home security system recommendations that result from that.

Property Crime in Rochester, NY

Our analysis gives Rochester a property crime grade of: D. Rochester is in the 82nd percentile of safety, meaning 82% of cities in New York are safer and 18% are more dangerous. Please visit our Rochester crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.

Rochester, NY Map of Rates

Crime Grades

A+
C
F
A+ (dark green) areas are safest

Property crime is highest in the western part of Rochester, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 101. Compare this to the southern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 931.

Fact

A crime occurs every 27 minutes (on average) in Rochester, NY.

300%

Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.

So, is Rochester safe? Compared to all of New York, Rochester is rated safer than the average New York city, which has a property crime rate of 15.86 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Rochester, with its burglary rate of 0.9489 per 1000, is as safe as the average New York city.

In addition, Rochester is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Rochester, NY.

Crime Type
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents)
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Rochester, NY
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week
Theft
2.798
3,118
60.0
Vehicle Theft
0.1179
131
2.5
Burglary
0.9489
1,057
20.3
Arson
0.0367
41
0.8

Weather and Climate in Rochester, NY

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 Rochester, NY

Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Rochester, NY is 45.15 degrees, reaching 85.49 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 82.42 degrees in July.

Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Rochester was built in 1970, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in New York build in 1964.

Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Rochester, 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 Rochester, NY

Rochester, NY gets an average rainfall of 1.0" per year. This is similar to the average of 1.1" for New York.

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 Rochester, NY

Rochester, NY reaches an average of 28.05 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 36.10 degrees in January.

The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Rochester is 53 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average New York home that's 59 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 Rochester 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 Rochester, NY

To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Rochester 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 30.78% (335,550) of people in Rochester, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 69.22% or 754,585 of Rochester 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 81% of people who commute an average of 26 minutes to work in or around Rochester, 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 7% of Rochester 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 Rochester tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $73,762 annually. In addition, 37.6% 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 Rochester is $164,984. Compared to the median home value in New York of $481,023, 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 Rochester, NY

There are 283 police stations within the boundaries of Rochester, and 5 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Rochester center, there are 122 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Rochester may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.

Professional Standards
492 Lyell Avenue
Rochester, NY 14606
(585) 428-7131
Police Dept-School Safety Xing
261 Child St
Rochester, NY 14611
(585) 428-6637
Rochester Police Department
261 Child St
Rochester, NY 14611
(585) 428-6714
cityofrochester.gov

Safest Neighborhoods in Rochester, NY

According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Rochester.

Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Rochester, NY

Nearby City
Property Crime Grade
Overall Crime Grade
Safer than Rochester, NY?
North Gates, NYD-D+about as safe
Irondequoit, NYDD+about as safe
Greece, NYBB-more safe
Brighton, NYD-Fless safe
South Greece, NYA+Amore safe
Spencerport, NYA-Amore safe
East Rochester, NYCC-more safe
Henrietta, NYA+Amore safe
Parma Corners, NYA+A+more safe
West Henrietta, NYBA+more safe

Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Rochester, NY

Nearby City
Property Crime Grade
Overall Crime Grade
Safer than Rochester, NY?
Grand Rapids, MIB-B-more safe
Tucson, AZD+D+more safe
Honolulu, HID+C-more safe
Tulsa, OKD+C-about as safe
Buffalo, NYFD-less safe
Fresno, CACC-more safe
Birmingham, ALCB-more safe
Worcester, MAFFless safe
Omaha, NED+D+about as safe
Hartford, CTFD-less safe

Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Rochester, NY

Deciding whether you need a home security system in Rochester, NY 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 Rochester 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 Rochester 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 Rochester's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.

Property Crime Insights

  • A property crime occurs approximately every 2 hours 0 minutes in Rochester.
  • The city experiences 3.902 property crimes and 5.912 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
  • Rochester's property crime grade stands at an 'D', comparably safer than other New York {{place_type__plural_lower}}.

Noteworthy Security Companies

  • Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Rochester. The combination of a high amount of renters (31%) and education level (38% 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 85.49 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
  • Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 28.05 degrees.
  • Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.0" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 53 years.

Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation

  • 30.78% of Rochester residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
  • Given the 81% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
  • Considering Rochester's lower household median income of $73,762 and 37.6% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.

Local Police Presence

  • Rochester hosts 283 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.