Massachusetts Home Security Guide

Massachusetts has an overall crime rate of 14.27 per 1,000 residents (2024 FBI data). The violent crime rate is 3.15 per 1,000, slightly below the national average. Property crime is 11.12 per 1,000, well below the national average. Springfield has the highest crime rate among major cities, while Cambridge is one of the safest.

Massachusetts is safer than most states for property crime, coming in 37% below the national average. Violent crime is about 12% below average too. The murder rate is particularly low at 0.02 per 1,000, less than half the national rate. Suburbs west of Boston and Cape Cod communities tend to be very safe. Springfield and parts of Worcester are the main trouble spots.

Good options include SimpliSafe (actually headquartered in Boston), ADT, Ring Alarm, Alarm New England (a well-regarded local provider), and New England Security. SimpliSafe being a local company means strong support in the area.

Home security systems in Massachusetts typically range from $15 to $50 per month for monitoring. Equipment costs run $200 to $500 for DIY systems and $500 to $2000 for professional installation. The higher cost of living in Massachusetts can mean slightly higher installation fees compared to other states.

Many Massachusetts municipalities require alarm permits for monitored systems. Boston, Worcester, and Springfield all have alarm ordinances with registration requirements and false alarm fines. Check with your local police department for specific permit requirements and fees.