Do Home Security Systems Actually Deter Burglars? (Data)

TL;DR: Yes — homes with a visible alarm sign, camera, or monitored system are burglarized roughly 60% less often than unprotected homes, and a widely cited University of North Carolina at Charlotte study found 83% of convicted burglars said they'd check for an alarm before attempting entry. The deterrent effect comes mostly from visibility, not from the equipment itself, so a $30 sign paired with real cameras beats an expensive hidden system every time.

_Last reviewed: August 2026 · 7 min read_

You've probably wondered whether that $50-a-month monitoring fee is buying real protection or just peace of mind. The short answer: it's mostly protection, but only if burglars can actually see it before they decide your house is worth the risk.

Okoniq Property Hub helps owners log which security upgrades they've installed at each property, so if you own more than one home or rental, you're not guessing what's covered where.

Do burglars actually avoid homes with security systems?

Yes, and the research is fairly consistent on this. In the UNC Charlotte study of convicted burglars, 83% said they would try to determine if an alarm was present before attempting a burglary, and 60% said they'd look for a different target entirely if they spotted one. A separate analysis from insurer data puts the reduction in burglary risk for alarm-equipped homes at around 50-60% compared to homes with none.

The catch is that burglars can't smell a system through the walls. They're reacting to what they see standing on the sidewalk: a yard sign, a doorbell camera, a visible keypad through a window. That's why cheap, visible deterrents often punch above their price. If you're working with a tight budget, five security upgrades under $100 can move the needle more than people expect.

Does the type of system matter, or just having one?

The type matters less than visibility and response time. A monitored system that calls police in 60-90 seconds after a triggered alarm is meaningfully better than a self-monitored app alert that a homeowner might not see for 20 minutes, but both outperform having nothing at all.

| Factor | Monitored (professional) | Self-monitored (DIY app) | |---|---|---| | Avg. monthly cost | $20-$60 | $0-$15 | | Police dispatch | Automatic, ~1-2 min | Depends on you noticing and calling | | Setup | Often professional install | Usually DIY, 1-3 hours | | Best for | Vacant rentals, frequent travelers | Owner-occupied, hands-on landlords |

For landlords with multiple units, the gap widens. If nobody's watching an app notification for a vacant property between tenants, a monitored system with a dispatch guarantee is the safer call.

What matters more — cameras, alarms, or lighting?

Lighting and cameras combined outperform an alarm alone for actual prevention, because most burglaries never get far enough for an alarm to matter. FBI crime data shows roughly 34% of burglaries happen through an unlocked or unsecured entry point, and burglars overwhelmingly prefer the path of least visibility. A motion-activated floodlight over a side door removes exactly the cover they're counting on.

Doorbell cameras add a second layer: even a $60 model creates a recorded deterrent that's visible the moment someone walks up. Insurance companies increasingly ask about this at renewal, and some offer discounts of 5-15% for documented security upgrades, which can offset the cost of running your monthly utilities if you're tracking every dollar closely.

Does a fake or dummy system work as well as a real one?

It works somewhat, but not as well, and the gap is growing. Older studies suggested dummy cameras and fake alarm signs deterred a meaningful share of opportunistic burglars, since most break-ins are impulsive rather than planned. But burglars today are more likely to test a system, tap a camera to see if a light blinks, or check for a brand sticker that matches a known real product line.

For rental properties specifically, a real system also protects you legally. If a tenant is burglarized in a unit where you advertised security features that turned out to be fake, that's a liability problem on top of a safety one. It's worth pairing any security upgrade with solid tenant screening — a stable, low-risk tenant reduces certain break-in patterns (like domestic disputes or drug-related visits) that alarms don't stop.

FAQ

How much do home security systems reduce burglary risk?

Studies generally show a 50-60% reduction in burglary likelihood for homes with a visible, functioning system compared to homes with none.

Do burglars target homes without security systems specifically?

Yes. In the UNC Charlotte study, 60% of convicted burglars said they'd move on to a different house if they spotted signs of an alarm or camera.

Is a doorbell camera enough on its own?

It helps but isn't complete protection. Doorbell cameras deter front-door break-ins well but don't cover side or rear entry points, which account for a large share of actual burglaries.

Do security system yard signs actually deter anyone without real equipment behind them?

They deter some opportunistic burglars but less than they used to, since many burglars now check for real hardware before trusting a sign.

Should landlords install security systems in every rental unit?

It's a strong move for vacant units between tenants and for properties in higher-crime areas, since a break-in during vacancy is a total loss with no tenant to notice or report it.

This is educational information, not security or legal advice. Talk to a licensed security professional or your local police department's crime-prevention unit for a property-specific assessment.