How Much Does a Smart Home Security System Actually Cost?

When you're researching home security systems, the advertised prices tell only part of the story. That "$199 starter kit" might actually cost $1,500+ over three years once you factor in monthly monitoring, camera subscriptions, and add-on sensors.

This guide breaks down every cost — obvious and hidden — so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises. We'll compare six major brands across equipment, monitoring, and total cost of ownership, then put it in perspective against what a break-in actually costs you.

The Quick Cost Summary

Equipment Costs: What You'll Pay Upfront

Equipment is the one-time cost of the actual hardware: base station, sensors, keypads, cameras, and any add-ons. Here's what each major brand charges for comparable starter kits:

What Most Homes Actually Need

A starter kit covers the basics, but most homes need additional sensors. Here's a realistic equipment list for a typical 3-bedroom home:

• Base station + keypad (included in kit)
• 4-6 door/window sensors (2 exterior doors + 2-4 key windows): $60-$180
• 2 motion detectors (main hallway + bedroom area): $30-$70
• 1 video doorbell: $80-$230
• 1 outdoor camera: $35-$250

Realistic equipment total: $400-$1,000 depending on brand and camera choices.

Monthly Monitoring Costs

Monthly monitoring is the biggest ongoing expense and the area where costs diverge most dramatically between brands.

Over three years, the difference between the cheapest professional monitoring (Cove at $17.99/mo) and the most expensive (Vivint at $39.99/mo) is nearly $800. That's a significant amount of money for a service that, functionally, does the same thing: calls emergency services when your alarm triggers.

Camera Subscriptions: The Hidden Monthly Cost

Security system monitoring and camera subscriptions are typically separate costs. If you add cameras (and you should), here's what to budget:

• Ring Protect Basic: $3.99/month per camera (video recording + sharing)
• Ring Protect Plus: $10/month for unlimited cameras (included in Protect Pro $20/month)
• Arlo Secure: $7.99/month per camera or $17.99 for unlimited
• Wyze Cam Plus: $1.99/month per camera or $9.99/year
• SimpliSafe: Included in Interactive plan ($27.99/month)
• Eufy / Reolink: $0 — local storage, no subscription

Installation Costs

DIY installation: $0. All systems except Vivint are designed for self-installation. No tools needed for most sensors (peel-and-stick adhesive). Cameras may require a drill for outdoor mounting.

Professional installation: $99-$299. Vivint includes professional installation in the equipment cost. Some companies offer optional professional installation: ADT charges $99, and various local security companies charge $150-$299 for setup of DIY systems.

Our recommendation: save the money and install it yourself. If you can hang a picture frame, you can install a modern security system.

Hidden Fees to Watch For

These costs don't appear in the headline price but can add up:

Contract Early Termination Fees

Vivint charges 100% of remaining contract balance if you cancel early. On a 60-month contract at $39.99/month, canceling at month 12 would cost you $1,919.52. This is why we strongly recommend no-contract systems.

Equipment Financing Interest

Vivint and ADT offer equipment financing that may include interest charges. SimpliSafe, Ring, and Cove don't finance — you buy equipment outright, which is actually simpler and cheaper long-term.

Permit Fees

Some municipalities require alarm permits ($25-$100/year). Check with your local police department. Many cities also charge false alarm fees ($50-$500) if your system triggers emergency dispatch for non-emergencies.

Battery Replacement

Wireless sensors need battery replacements every 2-5 years. Budget $5-$15 per sensor for batteries. Cameras with rechargeable batteries cost nothing extra but need recharging every 2-12 months.

Total Cost Comparison: 3-Year Ownership

Here's the full picture — equipment plus monitoring plus camera subscriptions over three years:

What a Break-In Actually Costs You

To understand whether security is "worth it," you need to understand what you're protecting against.

A mid-range security system costs $1,200 over three years. A single prevented burglary saves you $5,000+. The math is straightforward.

But it's not just about the one-time savings. Homes with security systems are 300% less likely to be targeted in the first place. The real value is in the break-ins that never happen — the ones you'll never even know about because a burglar saw your camera and chose your neighbor's unprotected house instead.

6 Ways to Save Money on Home Security

1. Skip the Contract

No-contract systems (Ring, SimpliSafe, Abode, Cove) let you cancel monitoring anytime without penalty. You'll also avoid early termination fees if your situation changes.

2. Use Wyze Cameras Instead of Brand Cameras

A Wyze Cam v4 costs $36 and delivers 2K video quality. A Ring Spotlight Cam costs $200 for similar functionality. If you don't need tight ecosystem integration, Wyze saves you hundreds on cameras.

3. Ask About Insurance Discounts

Most homeowners insurance providers offer 5-20% discounts for monitored security systems. On a $1,500/year policy, that's $75-$300 saved annually — potentially covering most or all of your monitoring cost.

4. Self-Monitor When Home, Subscribe When Away

Abode's on-demand monitoring lets you activate professional monitoring for specific days or weeks. Pay for monitoring only during vacations and business trips, and self-monitor the rest of the time.

5. Buy During Sales Events

Ring, SimpliSafe, and Blink run significant sales during Black Friday, Prime Day, and holiday weekends. Equipment discounts of 30-50% are common. If you're not in a rush, waiting for a sale can save $100-$300.

6. Consider No-Fee Camera Brands

Eufy and Reolink offer excellent cameras with free local storage — no monthly subscription needed. See our no monthly fee guide for details.