The Best Home Security Systems in Waltham, MA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Waltham, MA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Waltham, MA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Waltham every 16 hours 21 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Waltham experiences 7.889 property crimes per 1000 people and 1.404 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 Waltham, MA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Waltham. The combination of a high amount of renters (45%) and education level (57% 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 Waltham, MA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Waltham, MA. 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 Waltham, MA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Waltham, MA
Our analysis gives Waltham a property crime grade of: D+. Waltham is in the 76th percentile of safety, meaning 76% of cities in Massachusetts are safer and 24% are more dangerous. Please visit our Waltham crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Waltham, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 53. Compare this to the northern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 304.
C+
B+ |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B |
A crime occurs every 9 hours 13 minutes (on average) in Waltham, MA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Waltham safe? Compared to all of Massachusetts, Waltham is rated as safe as the average Massachusetts city, which has a property crime rate of 13.86 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Waltham, with its burglary rate of 1.664 per 1000, is as safe as the average Massachusetts city.
In addition, Waltham is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Waltham, MA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Waltham, MA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
5.767 |
392 |
7.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.4190 |
28 |
0.5 |
Burglary |
1.664 |
113 |
2.2 |
Arson |
0.0380 |
3 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Waltham, MA
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 Waltham, MA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Waltham, MA is 49.37 degrees, reaching 91.37 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 84.21 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Waltham was built in 1968, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Massachusetts build in 1969.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Waltham, 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 Waltham, MA
Waltham, MA gets an average rainfall of 1.2" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.1" for Massachusetts.
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 Waltham, MA
Waltham, MA reaches an average of 36.49 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 35.48 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Waltham is 55 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Massachusetts home that's 54 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 Waltham 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 Waltham, MA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Waltham 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 44.60% (29,088) of people in Waltham, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 55.40% or 36,130 of Waltham 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 67% of people who commute an average of 30 minutes to work in or around Waltham, 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 16% of Waltham 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 Waltham tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $108,874 annually. In addition, 56.9% 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 Waltham is $590,540. Compared to the median home value in Massachusetts of $477,554, 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 Waltham, MA
There are 14 police stations within the boundaries of Waltham, and 23 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Waltham center, there are 815 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Waltham 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.
| Waltham police dept 155 lexington st Waltham, MA 2452 (781) 314-3600 city.waltham.ma.us |
City Of Waltham 155 Lexington St Waltham, MA 2452 (781) 314-3600 city.waltham.ma.us |
Waltham City Personnel 119 School St # 1 Waltham, MA 2451 (781) 314-3355 city.waltham.ma.us |
Safest Neighborhoods in Waltham, MA
According to our analysis, here are the safest neighborhoods in Waltham.Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Waltham, MA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Waltham, MA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newtonville, MA | C+ | B | more safe |
| Newton, MA | B- | B+ | more safe |
| Auburndale, MA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Watertown Town, MA | D+ | C+ | about as safe |
| Belmont, MA | C+ | B+ | more safe |
| Weston, MA | A | B- | more safe |
| Newton Lower Falls, MA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Waban, MA | A | A+ | more safe |
| Watertown, MA | C- | B+ | more safe |
| Lexington, MA | A | A | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Waltham, MA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Waltham, MA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood, CA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Clermont, FL | A | A+ | more safe |
| Gilroy, CA | B | A- | more safe |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | D- | D+ | less safe |
| Mayaguez, PR | B | D | more safe |
| North Little Rock, AR | D+ | C- | about as safe |
| North Miami, FL | C- | D+ | about as safe |
| North Richland Hills, TX | B | B+ | more safe |
| Northglenn, CO | C | B | more safe |
| Port Orchard, WA | D | D- | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Waltham, MA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Waltham, MA 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 Waltham 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 Waltham 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 Waltham's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 16 hours 21 minutes in Waltham.
- The city experiences 7.889 property crimes and 1.404 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Waltham's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other Massachusetts {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Waltham. The combination of a high amount of renters (45%) and education level (57% 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
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 91.37 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 36.49 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.2" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 55 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 44.60% of Waltham residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 67% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Waltham's lower household median income of $108,874 and 56.9% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Waltham hosts 14 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.