Ready for a Smarter Home? Here's How Much Home Automation Costs
Normal range: $208 - $1,802
Home automation costs between $208 to $1,802, depending on the extent of your installation.
Home automation brings sci-fi to the average homeowner. The average home automation system costs between $208 to $1,802, with most projects falling around $1,005 on average.
From automated lights and security systems to appliances and entertainment, your home can be managed with a few simple taps on your smartphone. This guide will help you figure out exactly what kinds of features you can get with your budget.
- Average
- $1,005
- Low end
- $65
- high end
- $5,000
How Much Does It Cost to Install Home Automation Near You?
The average cost nationwide for home automation is $820, though prices can vary depending on location and service plan. A good example of what’s included in an average home automation system is an app to control your system, door alarms, a motion detector, 24/7 alarm moderation, and a professional installer.
Naturally, more advanced features will run that cost higher, while fewer features will lower the cost.
The following prices reflect average rates in popular cities across the U.S.:
| City | Cost |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $1,300 |
| Chicago | $250 |
| Denver | $650 |
| Miami | $350 |
| New York | $1,200 |
| San Francisco | $900 |
While prices differ from place to place, the biggest factor in determining the overall cost is the kind of system you purchase rather than the location of the installation.
What Smart Home Automation System Can I Get on My Budget?
With so many variables that affect the overall cost of a smart home automation system, it can be challenging to know exactly what you can get on your budget. Most smart homes fall in the $100 to $10,000 range with an average of $820.
Here is a breakdown of what options you can afford based on different price points:
$150
For this price point, you can add a basic home automation option like doorbells, lighting, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, blinds, door sensors, and cameras to your home.
$500
A slightly higher budget allows you to upgrade some of the basic features of the options available in the $150 range. At the same time, you can also purchase lock systems, thermostats, smart home hubs, lawn systems, Wi-Fi systems, and more.
$1,000
This budget gives you access to more technological features in your security, home, and appliance systems throughout your smart home. Be it a security camera and a lock system, or a speaker and entertainment system, you’ll be able to invest in multiple smart home automation options.
$1,500
For this budget, you should be able to get ample bells and whistles for most of the packages available from popular home automation companies. These often include a smart security system, entertainment system, and comfort system.
$3,000+
Home automation systems that cost upwards of $3,000 are considered luxury items. These home systems can run between $10,000 to $150,000, depending on how much you’re willing to put into your system.
Common purchases that will quickly increase your total cost include smart appliances like refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, advanced security systems, and lighting that requires extensive wiring to install.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Home Automation System Yourself?
You’ll find that there are many DIY options available for your home automation project. Many installations can accommodate diverse skill levels. On average, you’ll spend a one-time purchase of $100 to $3,000 on a DIY system, compared to $500 to $1,500 yearly for a subscription-based system and $2,000 to $150,000 for a custom system.
In some cases, you will need a professional to install your system. This includes any jobs that require in-depth experience with electrical wiring. Most installers will charge between $100 to $300 to install your DIY system. However, some of the high-end home automation packages from companies like Elan, Savant, and Crestron include installation in the total cost.
Home Automation Cost Breakdown
Before you invest in a new home automation system, knowing your additional expenses will help you designate your budget accordingly.
Equipment
Most of your expenses for a home automation system will come from the equipment itself. This may include cameras, appliances, and other forms of smart technology.
Here’s a quick breakdown of various equipment you may need:
| Equipment | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cameras | $35 – $350 |
| Door/window open sensors | $20 – $100 |
| Doorbells | $100 – $350 |
| Locks | $150 – $400 |
| Garage door openers | $150 – $500 |
| Lighting | $20 – $100 |
| Speakers | $30 – $300 |
| Outlets and plugs | $20 – $100 |
| Thermostats | $150 – $300 |
| Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors | $50 – $150 |
| Smart Home hubs | $200 – $900 |
| Blinds | $50 – $75 |
| Appliances | $50 – $3,000 |
| Vacuums | $200 – $1,200 |
| Lawn systems | $80 – $300 |
| Wi-Fi and mesh systems | $200 – $500 |
| Water monitoring | $100 – $1,000 |
Installation
If you want to avoid the hassle of a DIY home installation project, hiring a home automation company in your area can range anywhere from $100 to $300. Keep in mind that this can increase depending on the level of work required for your automation system.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Home Automation System by Type?
There are three different elements of a home automation system: security, comfort, and entertainment. Some homeowners will opt for a combination of all three types of systems, while others will prioritize just one, such as an automated security system.
Home Security Automation System
For a home security system, packages range from $300 to $1,100 on average. Keep in mind that a total home protection system can range from $450 to $10,000 or more, depending on the size of your home and the quality of the security system.
Other areas of a smart home security system include front door security, which ranges from $100 to $250, and exterior upgrades, which cost between $300 to $3,000 on average.
Home Comfort Automation Systems
Comfort systems range from $250 to $2,000 and include thermostats, smoke detectors, lighting, and smart appliances. For thermostats, you’ll pay approximately $100 to $350 or $150 to $500 if you opt for smoke detector features. Meanwhile, smart lighting can range anywhere from $100 to $1,500.
Home Entertainment Automation Systems
Complete home entertainment systems can fall anywhere between $350 to $2,000. Basic audio for TVs tends to go for $30 to $100, while better streaming and audio quality runs between $70 and $500 on average.
How Much Does Home Automation Cost by Brand?
Many brands carry home automation of some form. Like any product, the price you pay for your home automation system can change based on the brand you choose.
To put it in perspective, here are a few popular home automation brands and their costs:
Google Nest
Google Nest offers security cameras, thermostats, doorbells, alarms, hubs, speaker systems, streaming, and more. The cost of a Google Nest can range from $30 to over $3,000. It all comes down to the kinds of features you want.
For example, the Total Security Package, which includes the Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Cam (battery), and Nest Hub Max, runs for over $500. But if you only want a Nest Doorbell or a Nest Cam for security purposes, you might only pay $99.
ADT
ADT has three different home automation packages to make it easy for you to choose which features you want in your home automation system.
All of the packages require a 36-month contract at a minimum:
Build your own: This option starts at $45 per month, including $600 for the equipment. Any upgrades or additional features will increase the total of your package.
Smart Package: This package is $50 per month, with a $920 total equipment cost.
Complete Package: The last package is $60 per month, including $1,450 for the equipment.
Vivint
From hubs to garage doors, Vivint offers many smart home automation features that may make it worth your while. This company offers subscription plans that range between $30 to $45 a month to monitor your home. Installation is another $100 to $200 on top of that, plus equipment costs.
Your total cost for the installation and tech will likely fall between $600 to $2,500, not including the monthly subscription plan.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe offers 24/7 monitoring systems for $1 per day. On top of that, you will need to pay between $100 and $500 for the equipment and $79 for the installation process. This company offers numerous packages to help you choose the best one for your home.
Amazon
Amazon owns several smart home products and systems, including Amazon Echo, FireTV, and Blink. The Amazon Alexa connects to these smart devices and assists you in your home’s automation. Here’s how each of the Amazon systems adds up:
Amazon Echo: $80–$120 for smart speakers
Amazon FireTV: $20–$250 for streaming services
Amazon Blink: $35–$100 for smart cameras and a matching app
Elan
Elan is considered a complete automation system for homes, which is reflected in its price of $10,000 to $150,000. Though Elan provides services to commercial home builders, you’ll also find that newer homes can integrate this system.
Savant
One of the most customizable options is a Savant home automation system. This system's cost begins at $1,600 and you can customize it for your home’s ultimate source of entertainment, luxury, and security.
Crestron
Crestron offers complete home automation systems at $10 to $20 per square foot. This company has some of the most interesting features, such as settings to preheat your shower, multi-home controls, and pool and spa settings.
Keep in mind: Any of the above prices and plans are liable to change, so always check with the company’s website before making a final decision.
What Factors Influence the Cost of a Home Automation System?
When browsing for the perfect home automation system for your home, the sheer amount of factors that influence your final cost can really add up.
Keep these factors in mind as you choose the features you want in your home:
Size and quantity: For security systems, don’t lose sight of the number of cameras your home may need in order to provide you with total security protection. Each camera is likely priced between $35 to $350 apiece, though some companies may offer a bundle package to make the installation process smoother.
Quality: Waterproof, higher-quality systems will undoubtedly add up fast, but they may provide longer-lasting automation services that are worth the steeper prices.
Features: One fancy feature that can sync to home automation systems is near field communications (NFCs). These small chips of information allow you to link to automated entertainment systems in the household from your smartphone. This makes managing your smart home easy and affordable, as it only costs approximately $0.05 to $0.25 per NFC chip.
Wi-Fi booster: For homes with spotty internet connections, you may need a Wi-Fi booster to enhance the performance of your smart home automation system. These boosters can range anywhere from $50 to $150.
Appliances and devices: If you are planning on upgrading your smart home appliances and streaming devices, the sky's the limit on how much you can spend.
Custom vs. set packages: Many of the aforementioned brands offer plenty of customization options for your home’s automation, but these add-ons can heavily influence the price of your system. At the same time, going along with rigid packages may feel limiting, so weigh the benefits of package options while searching for the right one for your home.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A smart home automation system is a good option for homeowners who want to avoid having to manually juggle security, entertainment, and comfort within the home. Automation simplifies these processes by making it easy for you to control your systems from your smartphone.
Start by determining what types of features you need from a home automation system, and then prioritize them. For example, you may find you don’t need a package that includes an entertainment system if you only want a security system.
You may want to upgrade your home’s exterior lighting or add in new landscaping to go along with your automatic security system. If you’re opting for smart appliances in your living spaces, it may be time to consider cutting cable in favor of streaming services to streamline your entire set-up. Alternatively, if you opt for a new, automatic entertainment system, why not renovate your living room to give it the perfect setup for your sleek, new tech?