2026 Home Burglary Statistics: What FBI Data Actually Tells Us About Protecting Your Home

Fear drives most security purchases. But data should drive the decisions about what to buy and how to set it up. We analyzed the latest FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, the University of North Carolina's landmark burglar behavior study, and multiple insurance industry reports to find the statistics that actually matter for protecting your home.

How Common Is Burglary in 2026?

The FBI recorded 779,542 burglaries in 2024, down 8.1% from 2023's 839,563. That continues a remarkable long-term decline - burglaries have dropped 64% since 2005 and fell another 19% in just the first half of 2025. The national rate hit 229 per 100,000 residents in 2024, the lowest on record.

But "declining" doesn't mean "rare." A burglary still occurs every 51 seconds in the United States. Residential properties account for 52-63% of all burglaries, meaning roughly 400,000-490,000 homes are hit annually. The average loss is approximately $2,661 per incident - and that doesn't account for emotional distress, the feeling of violation, or time spent dealing with insurance claims and replacements.

The police clearance rate sits at just 11-13.5% - the vast majority of burglars are never caught. Perhaps most sobering: about 50% of burglarized homes are hit again within four weeks, as thieves return knowing the homeowner has likely replaced stolen items with insurance money.

When Do Burglaries Happen?

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of home burglaries happen during the day. FBI 2024 data shows daytime residential burglaries (216,601 incidents) significantly outnumber nighttime incidents (174,053). The peak window is 10 AM to 3 PM, with 12:00-1:00 PM being the single busiest hour for break-ins.

The logic is simple: burglars want empty homes. During the day, people are at work or school. At night, people are home - which means confrontation risk. Professional burglars avoid confrontation at all costs. The average burglary takes less than 10 minutes from entry to exit. They want to be in and out before anyone notices.

Seasonally, July and August are peak months, with rates roughly 11% higher than winter. This correlates with vacation travel (empty homes for extended periods), longer daylight hours providing cover for daytime break-ins, and open windows in warm weather creating easier entry points.

What this means for you: If you only arm your system at night, you're protecting during the lower-risk period and leaving your home exposed during peak burglary hours. Arm your system every time you leave - even for quick errands. Use geofencing features to auto-arm when your phone leaves home.

How Burglars Get In: Entry Point Data

FBI and insurance data consistently show the same pattern for how burglars enter homes. The front door accounts for 34% of break-in entries - the single most common point. First-floor windows account for 23%. The back door represents 22%. The garage accounts for 9%. Basement entry points make up 4%. Second-floor windows are just 2%, with other entry points covering the remaining 6%.

The most alarming finding: approximately 37.8% of burglars gain entry with no force at all - through unlocked doors or open windows. And research confirms that every surveyed convicted burglar knocked on the front door first. If someone answers, they make an excuse ("Wrong house, sorry") and leave. If nobody answers, they proceed.

What this means for you: Your front door, back door, and first-floor windows cover 79% of all entry points. A video doorbell is particularly valuable - burglars knock first, and seeing/responding through a doorbell camera can stop a burglary before it starts. And the simplest, most effective measure costs nothing: lock your doors every single time you leave.

What Deters Burglars: The UNC Charlotte Study

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte conducted a landmark study called "Through the Eyes of a Burglar," surveying over 400 convicted burglars about their decision-making process. The findings are remarkably practical for homeowners.

83% of burglars said they would check for an alarm system before attempting entry. 60% said they would choose a different target entirely upon discovering a home had a security system. Among the 40% who said they'd still attempt it, most would first try to determine if it was actively monitored - an unmonitored system with just a sticker is significantly less effective than a professionally monitored one with visible cameras.

The deterrents burglars rated as most effective, in order: First, outdoor cameras and video doorbells visible from the street. Second, alarm system signs and stickers in windows and the yard. Third, dogs - especially large breeds; even the sound of barking deters most burglars. Fourth, motion-activated outdoor lighting that eliminates dark approach paths. Fifth, appearance that someone is home - a car in the driveway, lights on different timers, TV or radio sounds.

The study also found that 54% of burglars lived within two miles of the home they targeted, and 30% personally knew the victim. This isn't random - it's a local crime committed by people familiar with the neighborhood, the homeowner's routines, and when the home is likely to be empty.

The Geography of Burglary

Burglary risk varies dramatically by location. In 2024, New Mexico had the highest rate at 500 per 100,000 residents - more than double the national average. New Hampshire had the lowest at just 48 per 100,000. The South accounted for 41% of all burglaries nationally, followed by the West at 31.6%.

Urban areas account for roughly 63% of all home invasions, driven by higher population density, more potential targets, and more entry points in multi-unit buildings. Suburban areas see moderate rates, while rural areas have the lowest frequency but the longest police response times - making professionally monitored security even more critical in remote locations where help may be 20-30+ minutes away.

The Insurance Connection

Beyond physical protection, security systems have measurable financial benefits. Most homeowner's insurance companies offer 5-20% premium discounts for professionally monitored systems. On an average $1,500-$2,000/year policy, that's $75-$400 in annual savings - potentially covering the entire cost of monitoring.

Additionally, a burglary claim on an unmonitored home can result in 10-20% premium increases or even policy nonrenewal. Having an active monitoring system can expedite claims processing and prevent the premium hikes that follow a break-in.

The Bottom Line

The data tells a clear story: burglaries are declining but still common, they happen primarily during the day when homes are empty, most burglars enter through front doors or first-floor windows (often unlocked), and the mere presence of a visible security system deters 60-83% of potential intruders. A professionally monitored system with visible cameras and sensors on all entry points addresses every major risk factor identified in the data - and insurance savings help offset the cost.