Virginia Home Security Guide

Virginia's overall crime rate is 17.88 per 1,000 residents (2024 FBI data). The violent crime rate is 2.18 per 1,000, about 39% below the national average. Property crime is 15.70 per 1,000, roughly 11% below average. Virginia is safer than most states for violent crime, though property crime is closer to the national norm.

Virginia is generally a safe state, especially for violent crime. Northern Virginia suburbs like Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun County are among the safest communities in the country. Chesapeake and Virginia Beach are solid too. Norfolk, Richmond, and Newport News have higher crime rates and are where you want to be more careful about home security.

Popular choices include ADT (strong presence across the state), SimpliSafe for DIY, Vivint for smart home integration, Alarm Specialists (Richmond-based), and Tidewater Security serving the Hampton Roads area. Northern Virginia also has many DC-area security providers to choose from.

Home security monitoring in Virginia typically runs $15 to $45 per month. DIY equipment costs $200 to $500, while professional installation ranges from $500 to $1500. Northern Virginia tends to have higher installation costs reflecting the area's higher cost of living.

Many Virginia localities require alarm system permits. Cities like Richmond, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach have alarm ordinances with registration requirements and false alarm penalties. Northern Virginia jurisdictions like Fairfax County also require permits. Always check with your local government before installation.