The Best Home Security Systems in West Chester, PA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in West Chester, PA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed West Chester, PA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in West Chester every 5 hours 6 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. West Chester experiences 16.57 property crimes per 1000 people and 4.314 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 West Chester, PA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of West Chester. The combination of a high amount of renters (25%) and education level (65% 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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in West Chester, PA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in West Chester, PA. 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 West Chester, PA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in West Chester, PA
Our analysis gives West Chester a property crime grade of: D-. West Chester is in the 92nd percentile of safety, meaning 92% of cities in Pennsylvania are safer and 8% are more dangerous. Please visit our West Chester crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northwestern part of West Chester, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 26. Compare this to the northern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 254.
D-
C- |
|
D- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
A crime occurs every 3 hours 16 minutes (on average) in West Chester, PA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is West Chester safe? Compared to all of Pennsylvania, West Chester is rated as safe as the average Pennsylvania city, which has a property crime rate of 16.10 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where West Chester, with its burglary rate of 3.276 per 1000, is as safe as the average Pennsylvania city.
In addition, West Chester is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in West Chester, PA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in West Chester, PA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
12.88 |
1,335 |
25.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.3627 |
38 |
0.7 |
Burglary |
3.276 |
339 |
6.5 |
Arson |
0.0512 |
5 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in West Chester, PA
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 West Chester, PA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in West Chester, PA is 57.45 degrees, reaching 95.66 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 89.07 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in West Chester was built in 1982, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Pennsylvania build in 1970.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in West Chester, 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 West Chester, PA
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 West Chester, PA
West Chester, PA reaches an average of 42.95 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 48.86 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in West Chester is 41 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Pennsylvania home that's 53 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 West Chester 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 West Chester, PA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your West Chester 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 25.47% (26,442) of people in West Chester, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 74.53% or 77,388 of West Chester 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 75% of people who commute an average of 32 minutes to work in or around West Chester, 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 11% of West Chester 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 West Chester tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $125,014 annually. In addition, 64.7% 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 West Chester is $432,292. Compared to the median home value in Pennsylvania of $222,630, 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 West Chester, PA
There are 12 police stations within the boundaries of West Chester, and 11 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the West Chester center, there are 947 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in West Chester 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.
| West Chester Borough Police 401 East Gay St West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 436-1320 west-chester.com |
County Of Chester Court 2 North High St # 1 West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 344-6900 chesco.org |
Chester County Police 601 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 (866) 286-3767 chesco.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near West Chester, PA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than West Chester, PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westtown, PA | B | A- | more safe |
| Cheyney, PA | B- | A- | more safe |
| Immaculata, PA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Thornton, PA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Exton, PA | F | F | about as safe |
| Pocopson, PA | D- | D- | about as safe |
| Malvern, PA | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Glen Mills, PA | A | A+ | more safe |
| Lionville, PA | F | F | about as safe |
| Chadds Ford, PA | A | A | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to West Chester, PA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than West Chester, PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tumalo, OR | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Towanda, IL | A+ | A | more safe |
| Troy, MI | D+ | B- | more safe |
| Tracy, CA | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Tri-Lakes, IN | A | A- | more safe |
| Turlock, CA | F | F | less safe |
| Tunbridge, VT | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Tyler, TX | C- | C- | more safe |
| Tylersburg, PA | C- | C- | more safe |
| Toston, MT | A+ | A | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in West Chester, PA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in West Chester, PA 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 West Chester 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 Vivint have emerged as the top choices for West Chester 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 West Chester's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 5 hours 6 minutes in West Chester.
- The city experiences 16.57 property crimes and 4.314 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- West Chester's property crime grade stands at an 'D-', comparably as safe as other Pennsylvania {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of West Chester. The combination of a high amount of renters (25%) and education level (65% 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 95.66 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 42.95 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 25.47% of West Chester residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 75% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering West Chester's lower household median income of $125,014 and 64.7% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- West Chester hosts 12 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.