The Best Home Security Systems in West Virginia
Are you looking for the best home security systems in West Virginia? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed West Virginia home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in West Virginia every 18 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. West Virginia experiences 15.85 property crimes per 1000 people and 7.575 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 Virginia
Best Overall
Vivint
We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 77% of residents in West Virginia own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in West Virginia where the median age is 44.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in West Virginia?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in West Virginia
Our analysis gives West Virginia a property crime grade of: A. West Virginia is in the 12th percentile of safety, meaning 12% of cities in the United States are safer and 88% are more dangerous. Please visit our West Virginia crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southwestern part of West Virginia, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 44. Compare this to the southeastern part of the state, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 83.
A-
B+ |
|
A |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B- |
A crime occurs every 9 minutes (on average) in West Virginia.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is West Virginia safe? Compared to all of the United States, West Virginia is rated safer than 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 West Virginia, with its burglary rate of 3.621 per 1000, is as safe as the average the United States state.
In addition, West Virginia is lower than other states with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in West Virginia.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in West Virginia |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
10.66 |
19,258 |
370.4 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.396 |
2,520 |
48.5 |
Burglary |
3.621 |
6,539 |
125.8 |
Arson |
0.1723 |
311 |
6.0 |
Weather and Climate in West Virginia
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 Virginia
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in West Virginia is 51.48 degrees, reaching 87.94 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 85.82 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in West Virginia was built in 1977, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in the United States build in 1978.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in West Virginia, 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 Virginia
West Virginia gets an average rainfall of 1.4" 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 West Virginia
West Virginia reaches an average of 38.56 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 49.52 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 Virginia is 46 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 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 Virginia 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 Virginia
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your West Virginia 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 23.01% (412,705) of people in West Virginia, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 76.99% or 1,381,011 of West Virginia 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 87% of people who commute an average of 33 minutes to work in or around West Virginia, 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 4% of West Virginia 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 Virginia tend to have a lower median household income than nearby states, earning $55,461 annually. In addition, 21.5% 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 Virginia is $138,399. Compared to the median home value in the United States of $318,880, 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 Virginia
There are 936 police stations within the boundaries of West Virginia, and 1 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the West Virginia center, there are 75 police stations. Compared to other states, police response times in West Virginia may be about average. When response times are fairly typical, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Gassaway Police Department 416 Elk St Gassaway, WV 26624 (304) 364-5111 |
Braxton County Sheriff 300 Main St # 103 Sutton, WV 26601 (304) 765-5122 |
Braxton County Tax Department 300 Main St Sutton, WV 26601 (304) 765-2838 braxtoncounty.wv.gov |
Safest Cities in West Virginia
According to our analysis, here are the safest cities in West Virginia.Home Security and Property Crime in States Near West Virginia
Nearby State | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than West Virginia? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | B | C+ | less safe |
| Ohio | B- | A- | less safe |
| District of Columbia | F | D | less safe |
| Maryland | C- | D- | less safe |
| Pennsylvania | A- | A | about as safe |
| North Carolina | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Kentucky | B- | B+ | less safe |
| Delaware | C+ | B | less safe |
| Indiana | B | B+ | less safe |
| South Carolina | D- | F | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in States Similar to West Virginia
Nearby State | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than West Virginia? |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | D- | F | less safe |
| Massachusetts | A+ | A | about as safe |
| Michigan | B+ | B+ | less safe |
| Minnesota | B+ | A- | less safe |
| Mississippi | C+ | B- | less safe |
| Missouri | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Ohio | B- | A- | less safe |
| Oklahoma | F | D | less safe |
| Oregon | D- | D+ | less safe |
| Puerto Rico | A+ | C- | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in West Virginia
Deciding whether you need a home security system in West Virginia 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 West Virginia residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
Vivint, Ring, and ADT have emerged as the top choices for West Virginia 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 Virginia's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 18 minutes in West Virginia.
- The state experiences 15.85 property crimes and 7.575 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- West Virginia's property crime grade stands at an 'A', comparably safer than other the United States {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Vivint: We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 77% of residents in West Virginia own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in West Virginia where the median age is 44.
- 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 87.94 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 38.56 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.4" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 46 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 23.01% of West Virginia residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 87% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering West Virginia's lower household median income of $55,461 and 21.5% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- West Virginia hosts 936 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.