The Best Home Security Systems in West Reading, PA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in West Reading, PA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed West Reading, 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 Reading every 7 days 9 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. West Reading experiences 10.33 property crimes per 1000 people and 7.601 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 Reading, PA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of West Reading. The combination of a high amount of renters (50%) and education level (32% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
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.
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 Reading, PA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in West Reading, 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 Reading, PA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in West Reading, PA
Our analysis gives West Reading a property crime grade of: D. West Reading is in the 80th percentile of safety, meaning 80% of cities in Pennsylvania are safer and 20% are more dangerous. Please visit our West Reading crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northeastern part of West Reading, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 82. Compare this to the southwestern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 120.
D-
F |
|
D |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D- |
A crime occurs every 2 days 14 hours (on average) in West Reading, PA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is West Reading safe? Compared to all of Pennsylvania, West Reading 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 Reading, with its burglary rate of 3.307 per 1000, is as safe as the average Pennsylvania city.
In addition, West Reading is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in West Reading, PA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in West Reading, PA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
6.163 |
29 |
0.6 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.8285 |
4 |
0.1 |
Burglary |
3.307 |
16 |
0.3 |
Arson |
0.0297 |
0 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in West Reading, 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 Reading, PA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in West Reading, PA is 52.91 degrees, reaching 94.08 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 90.98 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in West Reading was built in 1945, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Pennsylvania build in 1970.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in West Reading, 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 Reading, PA
West Reading, PA gets an average rainfall of 1.4" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.2" for Pennsylvania.
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 Reading, PA
West Reading, PA reaches an average of 38.33 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 42.86 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 Reading is 78 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 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 West Reading 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 Reading, PA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your West Reading 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 49.63% (2,260) of people in West Reading, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 50.37% or 2,293 of West Reading 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 76% of people who commute an average of 29 minutes to work in or around West Reading, 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 West Reading 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 Reading tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $58,211 annually. In addition, 32.1% 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 Reading is $118,818. Compared to the median home value in Pennsylvania of $222,630, 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 West Reading, PA
There are 2 police stations within the boundaries of West Reading, and 33 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the West Reading center, there are 825 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in West Reading 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 Reading Police Department 500 Chestnut St Reading, PA 19611 (610) 373-0111 westreadingborough.com |
Borough Of Wyomissing 22 Reading Boulevard Reading, PA 19610 (610) 376-7481 |
Crime Prevention 325 Walnut St Reading, PA 19601 (610) 655-6346 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near West Reading, PA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than West Reading, PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA | D | D- | about as safe |
| Wyomissing, PA | D+ | D+ | about as safe |
| Kenhorst, PA | D+ | D+ | about as safe |
| Monterey, PA | A- | A- | more safe |
| Shillington, PA | C- | C | more safe |
| West Wyomissing, PA | B | B+ | more safe |
| Mount Penn, PA | D | D+ | about as safe |
| Ridgewood, PA | A- | C+ | more safe |
| Pennside, PA | D+ | C | more safe |
| Pennwyn, PA | B- | B- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to West Reading, PA
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than West Reading, PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Ridge, AR | D | D | about as safe |
| Waldoboro, ME | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| White Salmon, WA | C | B- | more safe |
| West Creek, NJ | B | C+ | more safe |
| Warren, OR | A | A | more safe |
| Hillsboro, TN | D- | D- | less safe |
| Gregory, MI | A | A | more safe |
| Guilford, IN | A | B | more safe |
| Hagerstown, IN | D- | D | about as safe |
| Hainesville, IL | A | A | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in West Reading, PA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in West Reading, 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 Reading 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, Ring, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for West Reading 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 Reading's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 7 days 9 hours in West Reading.
- The city experiences 10.33 property crimes and 7.601 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- West Reading'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 Reading. The combination of a high amount of renters (50%) and education level (32% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- 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.
- 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 94.08 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 38.33 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.4" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 78 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 49.63% of West Reading residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 76% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering West Reading's lower household median income of $58,211 and 32.1% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- West Reading hosts 2 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.