The Best Home Security Systems in San Rafael, CA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in San Rafael, CA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed San Rafael, CA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in San Rafael every 8 hours 10 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. San Rafael experiences 14.72 property crimes per 1000 people and 2.793 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 San Rafael, CA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of San Rafael. The combination of a high amount of renters (39%) and education level (54% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in San Rafael, CA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in San Rafael, CA. 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 San Rafael, CA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in San Rafael, CA
Our analysis gives San Rafael a property crime grade of: C+. San Rafael is in the 49th percentile of safety, meaning 49% of cities in California are safer and 51% are more dangerous. Please visit our San Rafael crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of San Rafael, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 32. Compare this to the northeastern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 115.
B
C+ |
|
C+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B |
A crime occurs every 3 hours 39 minutes (on average) in San Rafael, CA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is San Rafael safe? Compared to all of California, San Rafael is rated safer than the average California city, which has a property crime rate of 37.66 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where San Rafael, with its burglary rate of 3.828 per 1000, is as safe as the average California city.
In addition, San Rafael is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in San Rafael, CA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in San Rafael, CA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
7.096 |
516 |
9.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
3.313 |
241 |
4.6 |
Burglary |
3.828 |
279 |
5.4 |
Arson |
0.4805 |
35 |
0.7 |
Weather and Climate in San Rafael, CA
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 San Rafael, CA
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in San Rafael was built in 1967, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in California build in 1977.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, CA
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 San Rafael, CA
San Rafael, CA reaches an average of 49.93 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 55.00 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in San Rafael is 56 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average California 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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael, CA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your San Rafael 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 39.50% (27,879) of people in San Rafael, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 60.50% or 42,702 of San Rafael 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 66% of people who commute an average of 36 minutes to work in or around San Rafael, 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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $132,590 annually. In addition, 54.3% 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 San Rafael is $965,410. Compared to the median home value in California of $648,235, 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 San Rafael, CA
There are 24 police stations within the boundaries of San Rafael, and 7 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the San Rafael center, there are 411 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in San Rafael may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Marin County Jail 13 Peter Behr Drive San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 473-6653 |
Marin County Sheriff's Office 13 Peter Behr Drive San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 499-6373 |
County Of Marin 3501 Civic Center Drive # 427 San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 499-7331 |
Safest Neighborhoods in San Rafael, CA
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in San Rafael.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near San Rafael, CA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than San Rafael, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ross, CA | A- | A+ | more safe |
| San Anselmo, CA | A | A | more safe |
| Kentfield, CA | B | B | more safe |
| Greenbrae, CA | D- | D | less safe |
| Larkspur, CA | C- | C | less safe |
| Sleepy Hollow, CA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Fairfax, CA | B | B+ | more safe |
| San Quentin, CA | F | D- | less safe |
| Corte Madera, CA | C+ | C | about as safe |
| Mill Valley, CA | B+ | A- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to San Rafael, CA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than San Rafael, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Binghamton, NY | D | D | less safe |
| Bremerton, WA | D- | D- | less safe |
| Bethesda, MD | C- | B- | less safe |
| Burleson, TX | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Bryan, TX | C- | D+ | less safe |
| Bolingbrook, IL | B | A- | more safe |
| Bothell, WA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Brick, NJ | C- | C+ | less safe |
| Bronx, NY | F | F | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in San Rafael, CA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in San Rafael, CA 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 San Rafael 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, ADT, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for San Rafael 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 San Rafael's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 8 hours 10 minutes in San Rafael.
- The city experiences 14.72 property crimes and 2.793 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- San Rafael's property crime grade stands at an 'C+', comparably safer than other California {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of San Rafael. The combination of a high amount of renters (39%) and education level (54% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 49.93 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 39.50% of San Rafael residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 66% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering San Rafael's lower household median income of $132,590 and 54.3% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- San Rafael hosts 24 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.