Wisconsin Home Security Guide

Wisconsin's overall crime rate is 14.33 per 1,000 residents (2024 FBI data). The violent crime rate is 2.79 per 1,000, about 22% below the national average. Property crime sits at 11.54 per 1,000, well below national averages. Outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin is quite safe.

Wisconsin is generally safer than average, with crime rates well below national averages. However, Milwaukee stands out with one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation. Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, and most smaller communities are significantly safer. Suburban areas around Milwaukee like Brookfield and Mequon are among the state's safest.

Johnson Controls is headquartered in Milwaukee and offers comprehensive solutions. SimpliSafe and Ring work well for DIY setups. ADT has strong coverage throughout the state. For Madison residents, Midstate Security provides local monitoring and installation.

Home security systems in Wisconsin typically range from $15-45 per month for monitoring. Equipment costs range from $200-500 for DIY systems to $600-1800 for professionally installed systems. Given Wisconsin winters, investing in temperature monitoring and cold-rated outdoor cameras is worthwhile.

Many Wisconsin cities require alarm permits. Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay all have permit requirements with fees for false alarms. Check with your local police department for specific requirements in your city.