The Best Home Security Systems in Salem, WV
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Salem, WV? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Salem, WV home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Salem every 11 days 11 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Salem experiences 11.88 property crimes per 1000 people and 8.961 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 Salem, WV
Best Overall
Ring
We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 17% of residents in Salem rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $46,037, much lower than the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Salem, WV?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Salem, WV. 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 Salem, WV and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Salem, WV
Our analysis gives Salem a property crime grade of: B-. Salem is in the 46th percentile of safety, meaning 46% of cities in West Virginia are safer and 54% are more dangerous. Please visit our Salem crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Salem, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 69. Compare this to the northwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 97.
C+
D- |
|
B- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
A crime occurs every 4 days 19 hours (on average) in Salem, WV.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Salem safe? Compared to all of West Virginia, Salem is rated as safe as the average West Virginia city, which has a property crime rate of 15.85 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Salem, with its burglary rate of 4.774 per 1000, is as safe as the average West Virginia city.
In addition, Salem is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Salem, WV.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Salem, WV |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
6.507 |
17 |
0.3 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.4965 |
1 |
0.0 |
Burglary |
4.774 |
13 |
0.2 |
Arson |
0.0991 |
0 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Salem, WV
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 Salem, WV
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Salem, WV is 52.72 degrees, reaching 89.42 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 84.12 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Salem was built in 1957, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in West Virginia build in 1977.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Salem, 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 Salem, WV
Salem, WV gets an average rainfall of 1.6" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.4" for West 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 Salem, WV
Salem, WV reaches an average of 40.26 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 47.72 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Salem is 66 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average West Virginia home that's 46 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 Salem 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 Salem, WV
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Salem 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 17.17% (492) of people in Salem, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 82.83% or 2,374 of Salem 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 27 minutes to work in or around Salem, 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 Salem 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 Salem tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $46,037 annually. In addition, 21.4% 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 Salem is $87,509. Compared to the median home value in West Virginia of $138,399, 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 Salem, WV
There are 4 police stations within the boundaries of Salem, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Salem center, there are 109 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Salem 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.
| Salem Police Department 229 West Main St Salem, WV 26426 (304) 782-1313 cityofsalem.net |
County Of Doddridge 18 East Court St West Union, WV 26456 (304) 873-1944 |
Doddridge County Sheriff 118 East Court St Room 103 West Union, WV 26456 (304) 873-1000 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Salem, WV
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Salem, WV? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial, WV | B- | C+ | about as safe |
| East Salem, WV | B- | B- | about as safe |
| Lake Floyd, WV | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Zinnia, WV | C | C+ | less safe |
| Flinderation, WV | B+ | B | more safe |
| Wolf Summit, WV | A | A- | more safe |
| Sedalia, WV | B- | A- | about as safe |
| New Milton, WV | C- | C+ | less safe |
| Marshville, WV | A- | B+ | more safe |
| Flint, WV | B | A- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Salem, WV
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Salem, WV? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amboy, IL | D- | D | less safe |
| Buffalo, SC | B+ | B | more safe |
| Covelo, CA | D+ | D- | less safe |
| Flandreau, SD | C | B | less safe |
| Jonesville, SC | C | C+ | less safe |
| Whiteford, MD | A | A | more safe |
| Kinzers, PA | D | C+ | less safe |
| La Crosse, VA | C- | C | less safe |
| Lisbon, ND | D- | D+ | less safe |
| Manzanola, CO | F | F | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Salem, WV
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Salem, WV 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 Salem residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
Ring, Vivint, and Simplisafe have emerged as the top choices for Salem 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 Salem's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 11 days 11 hours in Salem.
- The city experiences 11.88 property crimes and 8.961 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Salem's property crime grade stands at an 'B-', comparably as safe as other West Virginia {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Ring: We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 17% of residents in Salem rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $46,037, much lower than the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
- 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 89.42 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 40.26 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.6" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 66 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 17.17% of Salem residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 81% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Salem's lower household median income of $46,037 and 21.4% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Salem hosts 4 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.