How much does a home security system cost?

Many different factors impact security system prices. Typically, a home security system consists of three separate costs: purchase cost, installation costs and monthly monitoring costs. Some companies also offer other add-on items so you can customize your system.

By researching national brands and reaching out to local companies, you’ll find a system that meets your expectations and budget. Keep reading to learn more about home security system costs and how to get price quotes from installation services near you.

Professional monitoring is highly recommended for effective home security. This requires a monthly service fee. 

Here’s a breakdown of how much different brands charge for monthly service. Keep in mind that costs are subject to change at any time at the company’s discretion. For the most up-to-date pricing, always visit their websites.

¹For companies that provide the cost per day on their websites, we estimated monthly prices by multiplying the cost per day by 30.

Expect to spend anywhere from approximately $250 to nearly $1,000 to install security cameras. The final price you pay will depend on the number and the type of cameras. For example, here’s how much security camera installation costs based on the number of cameras:

A hardwired camera typically requires careful site selection, cutting into the wall, running a wire to an electrical junction box and correctly connecting the wires. In contrast, wireless camera installation requires mounting the camera and completing the software instructions.

Factors that affect the upfront and monthly costs of a security system include:

• Professional vs. self-installation
• Professional vs. DIY monitoring
• The brand's base price requirement for equipment
• Smart home vs. standard equipment
• Wireless vs. hardwired equipment 
• Length of contract
• The amount and type of equipment you choose
• Whether you purchase equipment à la carte or as part of a pre-designed bundle.

And the possible hidden fees include:

• Activation fees (sometimes included in the installation cost)
• Moving fees or professional removal fees
• Additional monitoring fees
• Cancellation or termination fees
• Cloud storage for camera footage

When you’re shopping around for a home security system, ask the companies to provide a detailed and itemized cost breakdown, so hidden fees don’t take you by surprise.

Choosing a home security system requires a fair amount of research and comparisons. Focus on the following factors to narrow down your choices.

Monthly costs 

One of the major perks of a home security system is that it can assess the situation any time an alarm goes off. Did the dog set off the motion sensor? Is it a false alarm because your mom forgot the disarm code? Or should they dispatch the police, the fire department or an ambulance? Professional monitoring typically requires a monthly fee. 

Those monthly costs vary greatly from company to company. If you can't afford a monthly fee, look for companies that allow you to self-monitor the system. You'll typically receive text alerts if the alarm system trips. It's then up to you to decide how to handle it. 

Contract lengths

Some home security companies allow you to pay for monitoring services on a month-to-month basis. With this approach, you can cancel at any time. Others lock you into long-term contracts, which maintain the same rate each month for 12, 24, or 36 months (or even longer). You'll owe an early termination fee if you decide to back out of a long-term contract. 

Consider a month-to-month contract if you still have some reservations about whether a security system is right for you. 

Monitoring standards 

If you choose professional monitoring, you’ll want a fast, accurate and friendly response in the event of an emergency. Look for companies with TMA's Five Diamond certification, a trade association that represents residential security systems.

Installation Requirements

Some companies give you no choice when it comes to system installation: they dispatch someone to install it and charge a fee for this service. Other companies will send you the equipment and allow you to hire a home security installer on your own. If the equipment is wireless and/or comes with peel-and-stick backing, you can usually set it up yourself. 

Choose a company whose installation policy meets your expectations.

Equipment

A wide variety of home security equipment exists. Depending on the company, some of the equipment may be included in the total cost. Other times, you’ll need to purchase the equipment as add-ons. 

Some common examples of home security equipment include:

• Door and window sensors/alarms
• Motion sensors
• Glass break sensors
• Cameras
• Video doorbells/doorbell cameras
• High-decibel alarms
• Smart lighting
• Floodlights
• Smart home controls
• Keypad door locks and wireless keypads
• Smoke detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Food detectors
• Smart locks
• Health alert buttons
• Panic buttons
• Temperature sensors
• Water sensors
• Yard signs and stickers

Decide what kind of equipment is important to you. Next, think about functionality. For example, a doorbell camera with two-way audio allows you to talk to whoever comes to the door; a pet-friendly motion detector will help avoid false alarms; and Z-wave-enabled equipment can be controlled from a smart device.

You can narrow down your list of possible home security companies based on which ones sell the equipment you want. On the other hand, if you're having trouble sifting through all of the options, it's worth connecting with a company that provides free consultations and cost estimates.

Warranties and guarantees

Look for a home security company that stands by its equipment and services with warranties and guarantees. A generous warranty and money-back guarantee will protect your investment and allow you to test the equipment to make sure it meets your expectations. Carefully read the fine print to understand which conditions (if any) void the warranty or the guarantee.

Customer reviews

Finally, take a look at home security system customer reviews. Are people happy with the customer support they receive? Is the company easy to reach? Do they honor their warranties? While there's bound to be an unhappy customer here and there, ideally, you should see plenty of positive testimonials — especially if you plan to hire the company for professional monitoring or installation services. 

Owning a home security system is a bit like learning CPR or first aid: you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Can you put a price on peace of mind? You never know if someone will attempt to break into your home, but if that were to happen, it sure would be nice to have a security system to scare away the intruder or alert the police.

According to the most recent data from the FBI, the average burglary victim lost $2,661. If your security system plays a role in preventing a burglary, it will literally pay for itself.

The equipment also exists to protect your home from extensive flood and fire damage, alert your family to the presence of dangerous gases or serve as a crucial link to emergency responders in the event you're hurt and cannot access your phone.

To save money on a security system, you can:

• Purchase only the equipment you need — not a bundle.
• Compare the prices for a bundle and individual pieces of equipment. If it’s cheaper to purchase a bundle, don’t go the a la carte route. 
• Choose a system that allows DIY installation. 
• Opt for month-by-month or no-contract professional monitoring.
• Choose to self-monitor the system. 

You should also ask about discounts, promotions and other offers. For example, ask if the home security company will add in additional equipment at no cost. Or, maybe they’ll offer to install some equipment for free. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

It's best to get a few custom estimates before hiring a professional to install your security system. Ask how much they charge for installation. If you've bought a considerable amount of equipment or have a large home, the cost of installation could quickly add up. 

Tell the security system installer the system's brand, whether it's wireless or needs to be hardwired into your home's electrical system, as well as the type and amount of equipment (i.e., five window alarms, one security camera, etc.). This will help them provide a more accurate price quote. Also, let them know if you need any old equipment removed.