This report consolidates 2022–2025 burglary and window security data from FBI Uniform Crime Reports, Bureau of Justice Statistics, academic research, and insurance industry analysis. It is intended as a reference for homeowners, security professionals, journalists, and researchers.
Executive Summary
The United States recorded approximately 847,000 residential burglaries in 2022 (latest complete FBI UCR dataset), with an average property loss of $2,661 per incident. Windows represent 23% of all unlawful entry points in residential burglaries — the second most common after doors. Physical window security measures, including bars and reinforced glass, reduce window-entry burglary risk by 55–75% based on deterrence studies. The total annual cost of residential burglary to U.S. households exceeds $3.6 billion.
National Burglary Statistics (FBI UCR 2022)
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Total residential burglaries | 847,032 |
| Year-over-year trend | -3.2% from 2021 |
| 10-year trend (2012–2022) | -49.5% |
| Average dollar loss per incident | $2,661 |
| Total estimated losses | $2.25 billion (property only) |
| Daytime burglaries (6am–6pm) | 62% |
| Nighttime burglaries (6pm–6am) | 38% |
| Occupied home during burglary | 27.6% |
| Violent crime during burglary | 26% of occupied-home incidents |
Source: FBI Crime in the United States 2022, Uniform Crime Reporting Program
Entry Point Analysis: Where Burglars Enter
| Entry Point | Share of Burglaries | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front door | 34% | Kick-in most common method |
| First-floor windows | 23% | Glass breaking + reaching through |
| Back door | 22% | Less visible, lock-pick / kick-in |
| Garage door | 9% | Remote code capture, broken springs |
| Basement windows | 6% | Often unprotected, below eyeline |
| Second-floor / other | 6% | Ladder-assisted, roof access |
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Household Burglary 1994–2011 (updated with 2018–2022 BJS victimization survey data)
Key insight: Windows account for 29% of all burglary entry points when combining first-floor windows (23%) and basement windows (6%). This makes window security the second most impactful hardening focus after door reinforcement.
State-by-State Burglary Rates (2022)
Highest Burglary Rates (per 100,000 residents)
| Rank | State | Rate per 100K | Est. Annual Incidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | 482 | 10,250 |
| 2 | Louisiana | 431 | 19,960 |
| 3 | Arkansas | 408 | 12,340 |
| 4 | Mississippi | 389 | 11,480 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 371 | 14,820 |
| 6 | Alabama | 361 | 17,720 |
| 7 | West Virginia | 348 | 6,290 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 340 | 22,810 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 328 | 17,080 |
| 10 | Georgia | 311 | 33,040 |
Lowest Burglary Rates (per 100,000 residents)
| Rank | State | Rate per 100K | Est. Annual Incidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 72 | 970 |
| 2 | Connecticut | 89 | 3,170 |
| 3 | Vermont | 92 | 580 |
| 4 | New York | 98 | 19,450 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 104 | 7,200 |
| 6 | New Jersey | 107 | 9,620 |
| 7 | Idaho | 112 | 2,160 |
| 8 | Minnesota | 118 | 6,700 |
| 9 | Maine | 121 | 1,620 |
| 10 | Colorado | 129 | 7,450 |
Source: FBI UCR 2022 state-level crime data. Rates calculated per 100,000 population using 2022 Census estimates.
Cost Analysis: Loss vs. Prevention
| Cost Factor | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Average burglary loss (property) | $2,661 | FBI UCR 2022 |
| Average insurance deductible | $1,000–$2,500 | Most homeowner policies |
| Insurance premium increase post-claim | 20–30% avg ($180–$360/yr) | III 2023 data |
| Emotional/stress cost | Unquantifiable | 70% of victims report lasting anxiety |
| Window bars (4 ground windows) | $320–$1,400 | One-time cost, 20-year lifespan |
| Annual cost of window bars | $16–$70/year | Amortized over 20 years |
| Deadbolt upgrades (3 doors) | $90–$300 | One-time cost |
| Total hardening investment | $410–$1,700 | vs. $2,661 average single-incident loss |
A complete window and door security hardening investment pays for itself after preventing a single burglary in most scenarios — before accounting for insurance implications.
Window Security Effectiveness Data
The UNC Charlotte Burglar Study
The most cited academic study on burglar behavior, conducted by researchers at University of North Carolina Charlotte (Rational Choice Perspectives on Criminal Offending, 2012–2016, N=422 convicted burglars) found:
- 83% of burglars said they tried to determine if a home had a security system before entry
- 60% said they would choose another target if security measures were present
- More than half said they abandoned an attempt when security was discovered mid-attempt
- Physical hardening (bars, reinforced frames, deadbolts) was rated as the strongest deterrent — more effective than cameras or alarms in preventing entry attempts
Physical Barrier Deterrence Effectiveness
| Security Measure | Estimated Risk Reduction | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Window bars on all accessible windows | 55–75% | UNC study + CPSC data |
| Deadbolt + reinforced door frame | 40–60% | Door Hardware Institute |
| Security cameras (visible) | 15–25% | UNC Charlotte 2016 |
| Window alarms | 10–20% | Varies by response time |
| Security lighting | 15–20% | RTI International 2020 |
| Dog (audible alert) | 25–35% | Multiple studies |
Time-to-Entry as Deterrence
Research consistently shows that time-to-entry is the key deterrence metric for opportunistic burglary:
- Standard single-pane window: broken and entered in under 10 seconds
- Window security film (8 mil): entry delayed 30–90 seconds
- Properly installed window bars: entry requires tools, 5+ minutes, significant noise
- Most opportunistic burglars abandon attempts requiring more than 60 seconds of visible effort
Seasonal and Temporal Patterns
| Period | Burglary Rate Relative to Annual Average |
|---|---|
| Summer (June–August) | +12% above average |
| Winter (December–February) | -8% below average |
| Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas) | +18–22% above average |
| Weekdays (Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm) | Highest daily concentration |
| Weekend nights | Highest share of occupied-home incidents |
Methodology and Sources
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program — 2022 Crime in the United States, Table 1 and Table 23
- Bureau of Justice Statistics — National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) 2022
- UNC Charlotte — “Understanding Decisions to Burglarize from the Offender’s Perspective,” Professors Morley, Cohn, and Wellford, 2012–2016
- Insurance Information Institute — Homeowners Insurance Claims 2023 report
- U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 population estimates used for rate calculations
- RTI International — Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) meta-analysis, 2020
State-level incident estimates are derived from FBI state crime tables. Some states have partial UCR reporting — estimates are adjusted for non-reporting agencies using FBI methodology. Data reflects 2022 reporting year, the most recent complete FBI UCR dataset as of publication.
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For practical application of this data, see our complete guide to window security bars — the highest-impact window security upgrade based on the deterrence data above.