Commercial Security Camera Cost in 2026: What to Expect

Security camera system pricing varies widely based on camera quality, coverage area, storage method, and installation complexity. Here is a realistic cost breakdown for commercial projects in Southern California.

Per-Camera Cost Breakdown:

| Camera Type | Hardware Cost | Installation Labor | Total Per Camera | |-------------|--------------|-------------------|-----------------| | Fixed dome (2-4MP) | $150-300 | $200-350 | $350-650 | | Fixed bullet (2-4MP) | $150-350 | $200-350 | $350-700 | | PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) | $500-2,000 | $350-500 | $850-2,500 | | 4K/8MP fixed dome | $300-600 | $200-350 | $500-950 | | Panoramic/multi-sensor | $800-2,500 | $350-500 | $1,150-3,000 | | License plate recognition | $1,000-3,000 | $350-500 | $1,350-3,500 | | Thermal camera | $2,000-5,000 | $400-600 | $2,400-5,600 |

Recording & Storage Costs:

| Method | Hardware Cost | Monthly Cost | Best For | |--------|-------------|-------------|----------| | On-premise NVR (16-ch) | $1,500-3,000 | $0 | Small-medium systems | | On-premise NVR (64-ch) | $5,000-10,000 | $0 | Large multi-site | | Cloud-managed (Verkada) | $0 (included) | $15-30/camera | Easy management | | Hybrid (NVR + cloud backup) | $2,000-5,000 | $5-10/camera | Best of both |

Complete System Examples:

8-Camera Small Business System: - 8x fixed dome cameras (4MP): $2,400 - 16-channel NVR with 8TB: $2,000 - PoE switch: $300 - Cabling (Cat6A, average 150ft runs): $1,200 - Installation labor: $2,400 - Total: $8,300

32-Camera Corporate Office: - 24x fixed dome (4MP) + 4x PTZ + 4x panoramic: $16,000 - 64-channel NVR with 24TB RAID: $8,000 - PoE switches (2x 24-port): $1,200 - Cabling: $4,800 - Installation labor: $9,600 - Total: $39,600

Summit DNC is an authorized dealer for Axis, Verkada, and Hikvision. We provide free site surveys with detailed proposals. Contact us for a quote tailored to your property.