--- title: Why rich people are panic-buying panic rooms - The Hustle description: A whiff of danger — real or perceived — can lead to big-time safety spending. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1086678555-News-Brief_2022-03-29T225450.106Z.webp --- # Why rich people are panic-buying panic rooms ![Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://53.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/53/assets/hubspot.com/web-team/WBZ/HubSpot%20Media/Blog%202021/Images/Nav/Optimized/TheHustle_Icon_Dark.svg) [Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/juliet-bennett-rylah) [Juliet Bennett Rylah Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/JBRylah) Published: March 30, 2022 Updated: October 11, 2023 The demand for panic rooms is booming in the Los Angeles area, [per](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/safe-rooms-demand-homeowners-1235111722/#recipient_hashed=3eff1ced2ae37a5acfce18e49ce6a32484c52a62605cb85b88622bcab9b09b1a) *The Hollywood Reporter*, with one business owner reporting a 1k%+ increase in inquiries over the last 3 months. ![Why rich people are panic-buying panic rooms](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1086678555-News-Brief_2022-03-29T225450.106Z.webp?width=595&height=400&name=1086678555-News-Brief_2022-03-29T225450.106Z.webp) Prices typically start at $50k-$100k for a basic hideout, but can shoot up to $1m+. #### **Why are they so expensive?** For one, there’s a lot of steel involved. But they’re also getting fancier. David Vranicar, managing partner at Miami-based Fortified & Ballistic Security, [told](https://robbreport.com/shelter/home-design/demand-for-panic-room-increased-heres-why-1234648569/) *Robb Report* demand has jumped ~4x since 2020, while requests have become more elaborate. We’re talking multipurpose suites with their own plumbing and HVAC systems and hidden escape tunnels. The door alone can cost $2.5k to $190k, based on what it can withstand and how cool it is — like Creative Home Engineering’s secret bookcase entrance. (Look at [this](https://hiddenpassageway.com/). You kinda want one, right?) #### **What’s causing the demand?** Los Angeles’ [uptick](https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/public-safety/2022/01/13/homicides--vehicle-thefts--officer-involved-shootings-increased-in-la-in-2021) in violent crime — despite [conflicting data](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lapd-warn-crime-wave-data-show-theft-robberies-rcna9236) and overall lower crime rates across the last decade — apparently has those who can afford it prepping for *The Purge*. But it’s not uncommon for danger, real or perceived, to spark these kinds of purchases. (We previously covered the also booming [doomsday biz](https://thehustle.co/coronavirus-prepping-doomsday-business/).) Over the years, safe room companies across the US have attributed sale surges to the pandemic, news reports, fear of [terrorism](https://www.salon.com/2016/11/06/sweet-home-paranoia-the-panic-room-business-is-booming-for-the-1-percent/), and [gun violence](https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-panic-rooms-gun-violence-increased-demand-rich-people-2018-11). And interestingly, the owners who spoke to *Robb Report* noted only a handful of times their rooms were ever used in an emergency. The notion of safety, however, is perhaps priceless. **BTW: **A previous *THR *[story](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/local-news/crimes-los-angeles-rush-for-bullet-proof-cars-rolex-replicas-safe-rooms-1235062227/) on rising crime from late 2021 mentioned increased demand for Rolex replicas. They still cost $2k-$3k, but buyers say that’s a fraction of the luxury watch’s $200k price tag. Oookay. 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