The Best Home Security Systems in Washington
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Washington? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Washington home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Washington every 1 minute, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Washington experiences 35.00 property crimes per 1000 people and 44.85 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 Washington
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Washington. The combination of a high amount of renters (34%) and education level (37% 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 Washington?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Washington. 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 state rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Washington and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Washington
Our analysis gives Washington a property crime grade of: D+. Washington is in the 71st percentile of safety, meaning 71% of cities in the United States are safer and 29% are more dangerous. Please visit our Washington crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northwestern part of Washington, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 18. Compare this to the southern part of the state, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 44.
D-
C |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
F |
A crime occurs every 44 seconds (on average) in Washington.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Washington safe? Compared to all of the United States, Washington is rated as safe as the average the United States state, which has a property crime rate of 27.99 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Washington, with its burglary rate of 7.213 per 1000, is as safe as the average the United States state.
In addition, Washington is higher than other states with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Washington.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Washington |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
23.87 |
188,475 |
3,624.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
3.752 |
29,632 |
569.9 |
Burglary |
7.213 |
56,961 |
1,095.4 |
Arson |
0.1665 |
1,315 |
25.3 |
Weather and Climate in Washington
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 Washington
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Washington is 49.77 degrees, reaching 83.06 degrees in the hottest months like August & July. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 79.91 degrees in August.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Washington was built in 1984, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in the United States build in 1978.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and older homes in Washington, 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 Washington
Washington gets an average rainfall of 0.8" per year. This is lower than the average of 30.2" for the United States.
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 Washington
Washington reaches an average of 41.59 degrees in its cold months of December & January. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 38.59 degrees in December.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Washington is 39 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average the United States home that's 45 years old and less 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 Washington 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 Washington
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Washington 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 34.33% (2,644,938) of people in Washington, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 65.67% or 5,060,343 of Washington 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 77% of people who commute an average of 34 minutes to work in or around Washington, 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 9% of Washington 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 Washington tend to have a higher median household income than nearby states, earning $92,629 annually. In addition, 36.8% 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 Washington is $453,663. Compared to the median home value in the United States of $318,880, 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 Washington
There are 1100 police stations within the boundaries of Washington, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Washington center, there are 39 police stations. Compared to other states, police response times in Washington 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.
| City Of Cle Elum 700 East 1st St # D Cle Elum, WA 98922 (509) 674-2991 cityofcleelum.com |
Washington State Patrol 134 Sydney Avenue North North Bend, WA 98045 (425) 888-1116 des.wa.gov |
Washington State Patrol 134 Sydney Avenue North North Bend, WA 98045 (425) 888-1116 des.wa.gov |
Safest Cities in Washington
According to our analysis, here are the safest cities in Washington.Home Security and Property Crime in States Near Washington
Nearby State | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Washington? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | D- | D+ | less safe |
| Idaho | A | A+ | more safe |
| Montana | C+ | B- | more safe |
| Nevada | D- | D | less safe |
| Utah | C- | C- | about as safe |
| Wyoming | B+ | B- | more safe |
| California | D | D- | less safe |
| Colorado | D- | F | less safe |
| North Dakota | C- | C+ | more safe |
| Arizona | F | F | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in States Similar to Washington
Nearby State | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Washington? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | A- | A | more safe |
| Montana | C+ | B- | more safe |
| Nebraska | B | A- | more safe |
| Nevada | D- | D | less safe |
| New Hampshire | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| New Jersey | B- | B | more safe |
| New Mexico | D+ | D | about as safe |
| New York | A | B- | more safe |
| North Carolina | D+ | C- | about as safe |
| North Dakota | C- | C+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Washington
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Washington can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the state 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 1 minute in Washington.
- The state experiences 35.00 property crimes and 44.85 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Washington's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other the United States {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Washington. The combination of a high amount of renters (34%) and education level (37% 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 83.06 degrees in the peak months of August & July.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with December & January temperatures averaging 41.59 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.8" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 39 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 34.33% of Washington residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 77% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Washington's higher household median income of $92,629 and 36.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Washington hosts 1100 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.