Quick answer: HomeGuide puts a professionally installed home security system at $199 to $900 up front (an equipment package of $199 to $599 plus $0 to $299 for installation and activation) and monitoring at $25 to $50 a month. A professionally installed 4-camera system is reported at $500 to $1,600. Many cities add an alarm permit: $60 in Los Angeles, $50 a year in Houston and $17 a year in Phoenix. Checked September 2026.
Home security cost checker
Typical US prices for alarm systems, monitoring and camera installation, plus city permit fees, with the source for each figure.
Prices change and depend on the size of the job, the property, access and location. Figures were last checked . Always get a written quote before work starts.
Request a free quoteHome security prices in the US are set privately, so there is no official price list. The figures below are reported typical ranges from a named cost guide, plus the official fees that some cities charge alarm users. HomeGuide bases its ranges on estimates homeowners receive from contractors; its alarm figures were last updated in April 2024 and its camera figures in December 2023, so treat them as a floor rather than a 2026 quote. Where we could not find a source, we have left the item out.
Alarm system prices
| Item | Reported typical cost | Source (checked September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment package (panel, sensors, often a camera or doorbell) | $199 to $599 | HomeGuide, April 2024 |
| Professional installation and activation | $0 to $299 | HomeGuide, April 2024 |
| Activation fee where charged | $79 to $99, often waived with a monitoring plan | HomeGuide, April 2024 |
| Professional 24/7 monitoring | $25 to $50 a month | HomeGuide, April 2024 |
| Self-installed systems with optional monitoring | From $4 to $22 a month | HomeGuide, April 2024 |
Monthly monitoring is usually the biggest cost over time: at $25 to $50 a month it adds $300 to $600 a year. Ask whether the price is fixed for the contract term and what it costs to leave early. Our guide to whether subscriptions are worth paying for and the monitoring contract comparison tool help you compare offers.
Security camera prices
| System | Reported typical cost | Source (checked September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| One camera, supplied and installed | $125 to $450 | HomeGuide, December 2023 |
| 4-camera system, supplied and installed | $500 to $1,600 (national average $830) | HomeGuide, December 2023 |
| 8-camera system, supplied and installed | $1,000 to $2,500 | HomeGuide, December 2023 |
| Wired camera, per camera installed | $150 to $500 | HomeGuide, December 2023 |
| Wireless camera, per camera installed | $130 to $400 | HomeGuide, December 2023 |
| Installation labour only | $80 to $200 per camera | HomeGuide, December 2023 |
| Video doorbell camera (device only) | $100 to $250 | HomeGuide, December 2023 |
Wired cameras cost more to fit because cables have to be run through walls, but they do not depend on Wi-Fi. For help choosing, see PoE or Wi-Fi cameras and our US video doorbell comparison.
City alarm permits and false-alarm fees
These are the official charges in the five cities we cover, taken from each city’s own fee schedule or code. They change, so check before you install.
| City | Household alarm permit | False-alarm charges for a home |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $60, then $31 a year | $260 for the first, rising $50 each time; $360 without a permit, rising $100 (from 4 May 2026) |
| Houston | $50 a year | First three in 12 months free, then $50, $75 and $100; $116.75 per alarm without a permit |
| Phoenix | $17 a year per control panel | $96 each from the second |
| Chicago | None found | Warnings for the first two, then $115 and $215 |
| New York City | None found | None found; the noise code limits sirens to 15 minutes |
How permits and police response work in other countries: alarm permits and police response.
What pushes a quote up
- More sensors, cameras and entry points to cover.
- Wired rather than wireless installation in a finished home.
- Professional monitoring with video verification, or a panic button that calls police.
- Long contracts that bundle equipment into the monthly fee, which can make leaving early expensive.
- Permit and false-alarm charges in cities that levy them.
For the full cost over five years, read our five-year cost guide. Ready to compare? See US home security providers or request quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Is professional monitoring worth $25 to $50 a month?
It depends on whether you need someone to call police when you cannot, and on your insurer. HomeGuide says a security system can save 2% to 5% on homeowners’ insurance on average, which may offset part of the cost.
Why are these figures from 2023 and 2024?
They are the latest published by the source we could verify. Prices have probably risen since, so use them as a starting point and get written quotes.
Do I pay the city permit to the alarm company?
No. Permits are issued by the city. In Los Angeles the alarm company must check a permit exists or obtain one for you before installing.
Do I need a permit for a self-monitored system?
In Phoenix, yes: every alarm subscriber needs one. Elsewhere, rules usually turn on whether the police can be called to the alarm, so check your city.
Sources
- How Much Does a Home Security System Cost? (homeguide.com), April 2024
- Security Camera Installation Cost (homeguide.com), December 2023
- Alarm Permits General Information (finance.lacity.gov)
- Burglar Alarm Administration, alarm permit application and 2026 fee schedule (houstontx.gov)
- Burglar and Fire Alarm Permit Application and Phoenix City Code section 10-76 (phoenix.gov, phoenix.municipal.codes)
- Municipal Code of Chicago, section 8-4-056 (codelibrary.amlegal.com)
- NYC Administrative Code section 24-238 (nycadmincode.readthedocs.io)
Last checked: September 2026. These are reported typical ranges, not quotes.
Home Security Innovations is a comparison and referral service, not an alarm or camera company. We do not install, monitor or respond to alarms, and a listing here is not a recommendation.