California Home Security Guide

Crime statistics, safety scores, and local security companies for the state of California. Population: 39,431,263 residents.

Violent Crime

4.86 per 1,000

Property Crime

20.78 per 1,000

Data Year

2024

35

Higher Risk

Safety Score

California Crime Statistics (2024)

Violent Crime

4.86 per 1,000
Total Incidents 191,641
Murder 1782
Rape 14436
Robbery 46943
Aggravated Assault 128480

Property Crime

20.78 per 1,000
Total Incidents 819,559
Burglary 120,573
Theft 530,422
Vehicle Theft 168,564

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report via NeighborhoodScout. Crime rates are expressed per 1,000 residents.

About California Safety

California has a population of 39,431,263 residents and an overall crime rate of 25.64 per 1,000 people.

The violent crime rate of 4.86 per 1,000 is above the national average, making California relatively concerning for violent crime. Property crime, however, is a greater concern with a rate of 20.78 per 1,000 residents.

Top Cities in California

Security Companies Serving California

SimpliSafe

Our Top Pick BBB: A+
4.3
DIY installation No contracts Professional monitoring

Safe and Sound Security

Local

📍 156 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105

4.9
Security systems

Armada Mobile Security Patrol

Local

📍 701 Pennsylvania Ave, San Francisco, CA 94107

5
Security systems Fire detection

Mission Protection Services INC

Local

📍 18 Bartol St Suite #172, San Francisco, CA 94133

4.9
Security systems

First Tech Networks

Local

📍 By Appointment ONLY, 4200 California St STE 204, San Francisco, CA 94118

4.9
Security systems

Rambo Security Services, Inc.

Local

📍 1205 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94133

5
Security systems

Complete Security, Inc.

Local

📍 344 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108

4.4
Lock services

Armada Protective Services Inc. (Armada Security)

Local

📍 701 Pennsylvania Ave Suite 108, San Francisco, CA 94107

4.6
Security systems

AX9 Security | San Francisco

Local

📍 901 Mission St Suite 80B, San Francisco, CA 94103

4.9
Security systems

Nob Hill Security

Local

📍 100 Pine St #1250, San Francisco, CA 94111

4.9
Security systems

Red Dragon Private Security

Local

📍 362 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

5
Security systems

Alert 360 Home & Business Security San Diego

Local

📍 3645 Ruffin Rd Suite 225, San Diego, CA 92123

4.8
Security systems

Smart Shield Systems Commercial & Residential Security

Local

📍 9655 Granite Ridge Dr #200, San Diego, CA 92123

4.9
Security systems Smart home automation

Alarms Unlimited

Local

📍 4584 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116

3
Security systems Fire detection

Halcyon Security Solutions

Local

📍 4901 Morena Blvd STE 811, San Diego, CA 92117

5
Security systems

Five Alarm Security

Local

📍 2794 Loker Ave W #108, Carlsbad, CA 92010

4.4
Security systems Fire detection

San Diego CCTV Pros

Local

📍 7561 Convoy Ct, San Diego, CA 92111

4.8
Security systems

Armstrong Guard Services

Local

📍 402 W Broadway Suite 400 - #4275, San Diego, CA 92101

5
Security systems

WestCoast Security & Investigative Agency

Local

📍 3650 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

4.7
Security systems

Alert 360 Home & Business Security Sacramento

Local

📍 120 Main Ave Ste A, Sacramento, CA 95838

4.9
Security systems

Home Security Experts

Local

📍 4740 Northgate Blvd #100, Sacramento, CA 95834

4.6
Security systems

Safe Security Solutions

Local

📍 1940 Terracina Dr Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95834

5
Security systems

MSC Integration

Local

📍 4640 Northgate Blvd Suite 145, Sacramento, CA 95834

4.7
Security systems

Sacramento Valley Alarm Security Systems, Inc

Local

📍 5933 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819

3.4
Security systems

All Star Security Services

Local

📍 6242 Lemon Hill Ave, Sacramento, CA 95824

5
Security systems

Diligence Security Group

Local

📍 66 Franklin St Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94607

4.2
Security systems

HighCom Security Services Inc.

Local

📍 1900 Webster St B, Oakland, CA 94612

4.7
Security systems

The Guard Alliance

Local

📍 1721 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

5
Security systems Fire detection

Vigilant Pro Private Security Services

Local

📍 2934 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

4.7
Security systems

ABC Security Service, Inc.

Local

📍 1840 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606

3
Security systems

BLACKHAWK PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES

Local

📍 1600 Lakeshore Ave Suite #100, Oakland, CA 94606

5
Security systems

PalAmerican Security Oakland

Local

📍 1970 Broadway # 840, Oakland, CA 94612

3.7
Security systems

Salum Security & Patrol services

Local

📍 344 Thomas L Berkley Way Suite 302, Oakland, CA 94612

5
Security systems Fire detection

Creative Security Company

Local

📍 150 Barack Obama Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110

4.1
Security systems

Orion Security

Local

📍 675 E Gish Rd, San Jose, CA 95112

3.5
Security systems

Borges Security Systems, Inc.

Local

📍 50 S White Rd, San Jose, CA 95127

4.2
Security systems

Security 101 - San Jose

Local

📍 4701 Patrick Henry Dr Bldg 16 Suite 101, Santa Clara, CA 95054

5
Security systems

Pacific Surveillance

Local

📍 940 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

5
Security systems

The Alarm Company

Local

📍 529 Forman Dr, Campbell, CA 95008

5
Security systems

Sonitrol of Silicon Valley

Local

📍 1587 Schallenberger Rd, San Jose, CA 95131

4.7
Security systems

TAPS Security and Alarm

Local

📍 2611 Senter Rd #238, San Jose, CA 95111

5
Security systems

Alert 360 Home & Business Security Fresno

Local

📍 4705 N Sonora Ave Unit 104, Fresno, CA 93722

4.8
Security systems Smart home automation Fire detection

DSS Private Security

Local

📍 1704 E Bullard Ave, Fresno, CA 93710

3.8
Security systems

Protec HD Security Camera Systems

Local

📍 Unknown

4.9
Security systems

Turner Security Systems

Local

📍 120 W Shields Ave, Fresno, CA 93705

3.1
Security systems

Hoffman Electronic Systems

Local

📍 90 E Escalon Ave #120, Fresno, CA 93710

5
Security systems Fire detection

Valley Security & Alarm

Local

📍 1945 N Helm Ave #102, Fresno, CA 93727

5
Security systems

AmeriGuard Security Services Inc

Local

📍 5470 W Spruce Ave # 102, Fresno, CA 93722

4.2
Security systems

CSI Security

Local

📍 11400 W Olympic Blvd #200, Los Angeles, CA 90064

4.9
Security systems Fire detection

Allied International Security Guards Company

Local

📍 3333 Wilshire Blvd Suite#900-10, Los Angeles, CA 90010

4.8
Security systems

ACS Security

Local

📍 100 Bel Air Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90077

4.4
Security systems

Ace Alarm, Inc.

Local

📍 1914 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

4.3
Security systems

Security Base Group - Armed/Unarmed Security Guard Company Los Angeles

Local

📍 700 Flower St Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90017

4.9
Security systems

Cyber Shield Security

Local

📍 626 Wilshire Blvd Suite 410, Los Angeles, CA 90017

4.8
Security systems Smart home automation Fire detection

Choice Alarm

Local

📍 2847 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

4.1
Security systems

Veritas Security Services

Local

📍 2202 S Figueroa St #525, Los Angeles, CA 90007

5
Security systems

California Security Alarms Inc

Local

📍 Alameda, CA 94501

2.5
Security systems Fire detection

AVS

Local

📍 2601 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

4.6
Security systems

Watchdog Security Alarm Systems, Access Control & Surveillance Cameras

Local

📍 1021 Kirby Ct, Folsom, CA 95630

4.9
Security systems Video surveillance Fire detection

ASAP Security Guards

Local

📍 9815 Carroll Canyon Rd #208, San Diego, CA 92131

4.3
Security systems

California Security Cameras

Local

📍 256 E Gish Rd, San Jose, CA 95112

4.4
Security systems

1st Defense Patrol

Local

📍 5100 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94618

3.7
Security systems Video surveillance

Protection Now

Local

📍 291 Capricorn Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

5
Security systems

SafeTight Security

Local

📍 Unknown

5
Security systems

ADT Security

BBB: A
4.2
Professional monitoring Smart home integration Video surveillance

Ring Alarm

BBB: A+
4.2
DIY installation Video doorbells Optional monitoring

Common Security Concerns in California

Property theft and larceny
Motor vehicle theft (especially in metro areas)
Home burglary
Package theft
Wildfire risk in rural and suburban areas
Earthquake preparedness

Recommended Security Features

Video doorbell cameras
Smart locks with remote access
Motion-activated exterior lighting
24/7 professional monitoring
Smoke and CO detectors (wildfire areas)
Seismic sensors for earthquake alerts

California Area Codes & Zip Codes

Area Codes

209213310323408415510530559562619626650661707714747760805818831858909916925949951

Major Zip Code Ranges

  • 90001-90899 (Los Angeles area)
  • 91001-91899 (Pasadena / San Fernando Valley)
  • 92001-92899 (San Diego area)
  • 93001-93599 (Central Coast / Central Valley)
  • 94001-94699 (San Francisco Bay Area)
  • 95001-95899 (San Jose / Sacramento area)
  • 96001-96199 (Northern California)

Frequently Asked Questions About California Home Security

What is the crime rate in California?

California's overall crime rate is 25.64 per 1,000 residents (2024 FBI data). The violent crime rate is 4.86 per 1,000, which is above the national average of 3.59. Property crime sits at 20.78 per 1,000, also above the national average. These numbers make home security an important consideration for California residents.

Is California a safe state to live in?

California's safety varies dramatically by location. Some suburban communities are among the safest in the nation, while urban centers like Oakland and parts of Los Angeles have significantly higher crime rates. Overall, California's violent and property crime rates are both above the national average, so doing your homework on specific neighborhoods matters a lot.

What are the best home security companies in California?

Popular options include ADT (with many local offices across the state), SimpliSafe for DIY setups, Ring Alarm for budget-friendly monitoring, and Bay Alarm Company, which is a well-established California-based provider. Your best choice depends on whether you want professional installation or a DIY approach.

How much does a home security system cost in California?

Home security systems in California typically range from $15-50 per month for professional monitoring. Equipment costs range from $200-600 for DIY systems like SimpliSafe or Ring to $500-2000 for professionally installed systems from ADT or Bay Alarm. Many providers offer equipment deals with monitoring contracts.

Do I need a permit for a home security system in California?

Many California cities require alarm permits for monitored security systems. Permit requirements and costs vary by city. For example, Los Angeles requires a permit and charges fees for false alarm dispatches. Check with your local city for specific requirements and costs.

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