A home security system costs $199 to $2,000 to buy and set up in 2026
A home security system costs $199 to $2,000 to buy and set up in 2026. HomeGuide lists $199 to $900 for equipment with install. Fixr lists an average of $1,400 for a basic monitored system on a three year contract. Monthly monitoring adds $15 to $60, says This Old House. The size of your home, the number of cameras, and the company you pick all move the price.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| This Old House | This Old House lists equipment from $100 to over $1,000, install fees of $99 to $199, and professional monitoring at $15 to $60 per month. |
| Fixr | Fixr lists a national average of $1,400 for a basic monitored system, an average range of $750 to $2,000, and monitoring at $3 to $60 per month by company. |
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists equipment packages at $199 to $599, professional install at $0 to $299, and a total of $199 to $900. |
Home security cost by item
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment package | $199 to $599 | HomeGuide |
| Professional install | $0 to $299 | HomeGuide |
| Indoor camera | $30 to $180 each | HomeGuide |
| Outdoor camera | $100 to $250 each | HomeGuide |
| Smart lock | $150 to $400 | Fixr |
| Monitoring with Ring | $3 to $10 a month | Fixr |
| Monitoring with ADT | $35 to $50 a month | Fixr |
| Pro monitoring overall | $15 to $60 a month | This Old House |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Equipment | HomeGuide lists equipment packages at $199 to $599, and Fixr lists central panels at $50 to $400. More sensors and cameras raise the price. |
| Cameras | HomeGuide lists indoor cameras at $30 to $180 each and outdoor cameras at $100 to $250 each. Fixr lists surveillance cameras at $50 to $300. |
| Monitoring plan | This Old House lists professional monitoring at $15 to $60 per month. Fixr shows Ring at $3 to $10 and Guardian at $45 to $60. |
| Installation | HomeGuide says professional install runs $0 to $299, and DIY install is free. This Old House lists install fees of $99 to $199. |
| Contract and activation | This Old House says activation fees can reach $199, and its ADT plans run 60 months. Check the full cost over the whole term. |
What the price includes
The upfront price covers the control panel, door and window sensors, and often a motion sensor. Cameras, smart locks, and extra sensors cost more. Install is free if you do it yourself and up to $299 with a pro, says HomeGuide. Monthly monitoring is a separate fee, and activation fees of $79 to $99 may apply. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Security companies bill in three parts. First is the equipment, which you may pay all at once or over a plan. Second is a setup or activation fee, which This Old House says can reach $199. Third is the monthly monitoring fee. Big names like ADT use 60 month plans, as shown on This Old House. DIY brands like Ring and SimpliSafe sell kits and let you add a monthly plan. Read the contract for the end date and the cost to cancel.
When you need this
Many people add a system after a break in, a move, or a long trip. Others want cameras for a package thief or a quiet check on the front door. A system also helps if you live alone or have a large home. HomeGuide says insurers may give a discount of 2% to 5%. Start with the doors and ground floor windows.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the full price: equipment, install, activation, and monthly fee.
- Ask how long the contract runs and what it costs to leave early.
- Compare the monthly fee to $15 to $60, the usual range.
- Ask which sensors and cameras are in the price and which cost extra.
- Compare the total with the range above: $199 to $2,000 per system for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Pick a DIY system. HomeGuide says DIY install is free, while a pro install runs $0 to $299.
- Ask the company to waive the activation fee. HomeGuide says fees of $79 to $99 are often waived with monitoring plans.
- Compare monthly plans. Fixr lists Ring at $3 to $10 and SimpliSafe at $15 to $25, while ADT runs $35 to $50.
- Ask your home insurer about a discount. HomeGuide says the average discount is 2% to 5%, and it can reach 15%.
- Start with a small kit. This Old House lists a basic package at $99, and you can add cameras later.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from This Old House, Fixr and HomeGuide. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a home security system cost?
Expect $199 to $2,000 to buy and set up. HomeGuide lists $199 to $900, and Fixr lists an average of $1,400.
How much is monthly monitoring?
This Old House says professional monitoring runs $15 to $60 per month. HomeGuide says the standard range is $25 to $50.
Is DIY cheaper than pro install?
Yes for setup. HomeGuide says DIY install is free and pro install is $0 to $299. Monthly fees still apply if you want monitoring.
Can a security system lower my insurance?
Often it can. HomeGuide says the average discount is 2% to 5%, with up to 15% possible. Ask your insurer.
How much does ADT cost?
This Old House lists the ADT Secure package at $599 to $899 upfront and $55.97 to $60.97 per month for 60 months. Fixr lists ADT monitoring at $35 to $50, so prices differ by plan.