New York Home Security Guide

New York State has an overall crime rate of 21.00 per 1,000 residents (2024 FBI data). The violent crime rate is 3.80 per 1,000, slightly above national average. Property crime is 17.20 per 1,000, right around the national average. Crime rates vary dramatically between New York City and upstate communities.

New York's safety depends heavily on where you are. Many suburban areas on Long Island, in Westchester, and upstate are very safe. Cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse have higher crime rates, while New York City's crime rate has actually been declining. Do your research on specific neighborhoods before making decisions.

ADT has strong coverage across the state with local offices. SimpliSafe is popular for NYC apartments since it's renter-friendly with no drilling required. Vivint offers professional installation for homeowners. General Security is a well-established local provider based in New York City.

Home security systems in New York typically range from $15-50 per month for monitoring. Equipment costs run from $200-600 for DIY systems to $500-2000 for professional installation. NYC apartment dwellers often prefer wireless, renter-friendly options like SimpliSafe or Ring.

Permit requirements vary across New York. New York City requires alarm permits, and there are penalties for excessive false alarms. Many other cities and counties in New York also require permits. Check with your local municipality for specific requirements and associated costs.