Have you ever wondered if your home security system is actually protecting you—or just giving you a false sense of security? I sure did, which is why I spent months testing five different professionally installed systems in the same house. What I discovered might surprise you.
Seattle's stunning waterfront views and thriving tech scene make it one of America's most desirable cities to call home. But beneath the Emerald City's charm lies a concerning reality: property crime rates that are 149% higher than the national average, with violent crime exceeding the national average by 62%. With a crime grade of 0, security concerns affect everyone—from homeowners to the nearly 45% of residents who rent.
As we move into 2025, I wanted to cut through the marketing hype and give you the straight facts about home security installation in Seattle. After living with multiple systems in our test facility, I can tell you what actually works—and what's just expensive window dressing.
After testing numerous systems, I've found that the most expensive option isn't always the best. What matters is the relationship between cost and reliability. A system that consistently works when you need it—without false alarms that you eventually ignore—is worth its weight in gold.
One homeowner I interviewed, Sarah from Ballard, told me: "We initially went with the cheapest option, but after three false alarms in a month, we upgraded. The peace of mind from a reliable system is worth every penny."
Here's something the security companies don't always emphasize: the features you'll use daily aren't always the ones they highlight in their marketing.
In our testing, video doorbells and garage control consistently ranked as the most frequently used—and appreciated—features. Being able to see who's at your door from anywhere or checking whether you closed the garage door after leaving for work provides practical, everyday value beyond security.
Both ADT (through their Google Nest partnership) and Vivint excel in these areas, offering seamless integration that just works.
When we talk about home security, we're really talking about peace of mind. It's about doing the most reasonable thing possible to protect your family and property.
And don't forget fire safety—a comprehensive system should protect against both intruders and environmental threats. The systems we tested varied significantly in their fire detection capabilities, with some offering basic smoke detection while others included heat sensors and carbon monoxide monitoring.
Security technology has evolved dramatically. Today's systems offer AI-powered cameras that can distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles—reducing false alerts dramatically. Facial recognition can even identify family members versus strangers.
But some aspects of security are timeless:
The best installers understand both cutting-edge technology and these fundamental principles.
ADT operates their own monitoring centers—six of them across the US, providing redundancy if one center goes offline. When you call for help, you're talking to an ADT employee trained to handle emergencies.
SafeStreets is an ADT authorized dealer, which means they sell and install ADT equipment but don't handle the monitoring themselves. They must meet ADT's standards for installation quality, but your service contract is ultimately with ADT.
Vivint takes a different approach with their direct sales model. The person who sells you the system, the technician who installs it, and the monitoring service all work for the same company. This vertical integration allows for tighter quality control but sometimes at a premium price.
Their smart home integration is particularly impressive—in our testing, their system offered the most seamless control of security, thermostats, lighting, and locks.
Here's an industry secret: many local security companies use the same central monitoring services. Alarm.com powers many local dealers' backends, while ADT has their proprietary monitoring platform.
This means the actual emergency response process might be nearly identical between a local company and a national brand—the difference often lies in installation quality and customer service.
As someone who considers myself technically inclined, I was humbled by what I learned watching professional installers work. There's a world of difference between setting up a camera yourself and having a proper security assessment.
Professional installers know:
In my research, I've seen homeowners make critical errors that compromise their security:
When it comes to protecting your family, this isn't the place to cut corners.
The statistics I mentioned earlier are sobering: property crime 149% above the national average and violent crime 62% higher. This affects everyone in Seattle, regardless of neighborhood or housing situation.
For the 44.9% of Seattle residents who rent, security concerns are just as valid, though their installation options may be more limited. Simplisafe and wireless systems offer good alternatives that don't require permanent modifications.
While local companies may offer competitive pricing and personalized service, my testing revealed that the stability, consistency, and technological advantages of established national installers like SafeStreets and Vivint generally justify their slightly higher costs.
The peace of mind that comes from knowing your system is backed by companies with decades of experience and 24/7 monitoring centers can't be overstated. When an emergency happens, you want absolute confidence in your security provider.
Don't leave your family's safety to chance. Schedule a professional security assessment and installation—it's an investment in protection that truly matters.
Seattle has a population of 3,530,752 and is located in King County. According to recent ACS data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income is $97,185. Median home value is $713,372, and the median rent is $1,702/month. With a median age of 35.2 years old, 65% of residents over the age of 24 have at least some college education, with 49% having an income over $100,000. 40.3% of households are married.
According to the 2020 Decennial Census, the racial breakdown was as follows:
Home security is more than just cameras that capture bad actors committing crimes. Smart home features such as automated lighting are underrated features that can prevent thefts before they happen.
Professional monitoring is a must, and the choice generally comes down to a balance between the latest technology, overall price, and the service you receive for installation and on-going maintenance.
Our pick for the best home security system is ADT, with its exceptional reputation for customer satisfaction and professional installation, followed closely by Vivint which while slightly more expensive, has the most advanced security technology for your home.
SimpliSafe is our home security system recommendation for renters with its great balance of features and value, while offering minimal installation effort and reasonably priced professional monitoring.
