After helping neighbors evaluate home security options, here's the honest breakdown.
Tier 1: High impact, low cost
- Deadbolts on every exterior door. Sounds basic. 30% of burglaries happen through unlocked doors. Source: FBI burglary statistics.
- Motion-sensor lights. $15-30 per light. Cover all entry points.
- Video doorbell. Ring, Blink, or Reolink. $50-150. Deters and documents.
- Smart locks. Know exactly when doors are opened. No hiding keys under mats.
Tier 2: Worth it for most
- Security cameras (exterior). Reolink 4-camera PoE kit: ~$300. Local storage, no subscription. Catches everything.
- Security system with monitoring. Ring Alarm, SimpliSafe, or ADT. $10-30/month. Insurance discount of 5-20% often offsets the cost.
Tier 3: Situational
- Safe room / gun safe. If you own firearms, Texas law doesn't require locked storage but negligent storage can create civil liability.
- Fence with locked gates. Especially in areas with alley access.
What's a waste:
- "Beware of Dog" signs without a dog (burglars check)
- Fake cameras (experienced burglars spot them instantly)
- Security system signs without an actual system (same issue)
Insurance note: Most Texas homeowners policies give a 5-20% discount for monitored alarm systems. Ask your insurer for the exact discount. It frequently pays for the monitoring cost.
Sources:
- FBI — Burglary statistics and entry point analysis
- Texas Department of Insurance — homeowner discount guidelines
- Consumer Reports — home security system rankings 2025
What's your setup? What worked?