Riskiest Cities for Homeownership 2024

Is your dream to own a waterfront bungalow? A charming historic estate? An apartment unit in a major metro area?

Whatever your dream home looks like, homeownership is fraught with significant risks. The bungalow is in danger of flooding, the historic estate isn’t up to fire code, and the apartment unit is located on a street where property crime is rampant.

With a variety of risks on the radar, it can be hard for homeowners to understand how much risk they’re taking on, and how risks affect insurance premiums.

To map out homeownership risk in a comprehensive way, we utilized insurance-based factors to rank America’s 170 most populous cities from the most to the least risky.

Our weighted assessment includes key insurance-based criteria, such as instances of environmental risk and public safety issues, median age and condition of homes, accessibility to emergency services, and a tally of prior natural disasters, all of which affect a region’s risk outlook and contribute to the insurance burden on homeowners.

In addition, we conducted a nationwide survey to gather insights from 1,500 Americans on their direct encounters with risk factors, overall tolerance for risk, and strategies for mitigating risk in an unpredictable and evolving housing landscape.

Riskiest Cities for Homeownership

Beyond the financial investment of buying a home, there are crucial insurance-based metrics that can impact homeowners’ safety and security.

With natural disasters and severe weather becoming more common, the location of your home can affect insurance premiums and coverage limits. We considered climate-related factors, as well as property crime, median age of homes, vacancy rates, and accessibility to emergency services within our ranking.

Top 10 Riskiest Cities to Own a Home

1. Houston, Texas

With its mix of technological innovation, and Southern charm, it’s no wonder over 2.3 million people call Houston “home.” The problem? Those homes are built on land that is prone to both extreme heat and extreme flood risk. Overall, 98% of homes in the Houston area are at risk of severe heat, and 64% of homes are at risk of flooding within the next three decades. Along with 9.2% of homes standing vacant, looming concerns run the gamut in the Space City.

2. San Bernardino, California

Known for its attractive natural surroundings, San Bernardino is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts looking to hike, camp, and take a dip in Big Bear Lake. Unfortunately, residents of this city have no choice but to grapple with dangerous natural phenomena – 100% of properties in San Bernardino are at risk of extreme heat, and 91% are in zones affected by wildfires.

3. Glendale, California

Glendale is one of the nation’s most precarious regions for wildfire activity, with 99% of homes affected by wildfire, and only 9 fire stations within city limits. The city has also declared the most FEMA natural disaster declarations (80) of any top 10 cities since the designation was instituted in 1953.

4. New Orleans, Louisiana

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, all eyes have remained on the valiant recovery efforts undertaken across the Big Easy, including the installation of a state-of-the-art $14.5 billion flood protection system. It’s a more than sensible investment – 99% of homes are at risk of severe flooding within the next 30 years and the median age of homes is 62, meaning individual risk for property damage is high.

5. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, a city of power boats and canals, is not just at extreme risk of flooding (79% of homes carry a severe flood risk within the next three decades), but also at risk of extreme heat (100% of homes). On top of this, over 1 in 5 (21.4%) homes are currently unoccupied, meaning your snowbird neighbor may not take appropriate precautions in preparing their property for the worst, leaving your home vulnerable to large debris and other knock-on effects of storm and flood damage.

6. Miami, Florida

You’ve likely seen hurricane coverage of Miami’s luxury high rises getting pummeled by Atlantic waves. It’s not just a sensational camera trick – 55% of Miami’s housing is at risk of severe flooding within the next three decades. And those gorgeous images of South Beach come at a cost – 100% of the city’s domiciles are at risk of severe heat. To make matters worse, with only 3.3 fire stations per 100,000 residents, safety responses might be slower than average in the event of an emergency.

7. Hollywood, Florida

Hollywood, FL retains some of the glamor of its namesake while fitting into the schema of quaint beachside communities the Florida Atlantic coast offers. This heady mixture is unfortunately paralleled by a rash of potential problems – a majority of homes are at risk of flooding (56%) and extreme heat (100%). The average home was built in 1968 before many modern safety codes were adopted, and 15.9% of homes are vacant, making upkeep and community storm preparation fraught.

8. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Louisiana’s capital hasn’t drawn as much national concern as nearby New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean Baton Rouge is a paragon of safety. While the city is less vulnerable to flooding (34% of homes are at risk of flooding within 30 years), it is entirely at risk of extreme heat (100% of homes), and critically, the city has a rampant property crime problem. With an average of 5,811.7 incidents of property crime per 100,000 residents, Baton Rouge reports the most crime of any region on the top 10 list by a wide margin.

9. St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg boasts 361 days of sunshine a year and one of the most beautiful coastlines America has to offer. Unfortunately, these natural wonders double as major threats facing the city’s residents. With nearly half of all homes (47%) in danger of flooding within 30 years and 100% of homes at risk of extreme heat, St. Pete’s microbreweries and air-conditioned art museums need to do some heavy lifting.

10. Rancho Cucamonga, California

Nestled at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Rancho Cucamonga lives up to its nickname, the “Urban Green Oasis,” with plenty of parks and public spaces for residents to unwind outside. However, this pretty picture is complicated by the city’s vulnerability to natural disasters – 100% of homes in Rancho Cucamonga are likely to be affected by wildfire, 90% of homes are at risk of extreme heat, and 36% of homes are at risk of severe flooding within the next three decades.

Homeownership Insurance Risks

According to more than one-third of respondents, climate change is top of mind. Overall, 35% say they’re considering moving to reduce their risk of climate-driven disasters. Meanwhile, nearly half (46%) say they don’t feel fully prepared to deal with a weather-related event.

While it’s easy for the fear of the unknown to seep in, there are several steps homeowners can take to mitigate the risks of homeownership and reduce insurance premiums. If severe weather does hit your area, it’s always a good idea to be prepared by building an emergency kit with food, water, a first aid kit, prescription medications, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

Along with protecting yourself and your family, there are also ways to protect your wallet from high insurance premiums. First and foremost, compare providers to ensure you’re getting the best possible rate. Maintaining a good credit score and avoiding filing small claims can also reduce your insurance premiums.

Finally, ensure that you are thinking long-term when purchasing a new home. Consider the susceptibility of the area to severe weather and natural disasters before making a decision.

Methodology – Risk Assessment:

To determine our ranking, we analyzed key insurance-based risk factors associated with owning a home in the 170 most populous cities across the country. This data was then analyzed for each factor and a weighted average was calculated to generate a final score for each category. The scoring rubric and weighting were arranged as follows:

Number of Natural Disasters:
Points: 20

Areas prone to frequent natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes, may experience higher home insurance premiums due to the increased risk of property damage. Insurance companies often adjust rates based on the historical frequency of such events.

Percent of Homes at Risk of Severe Flooding:
Points: 12

Homes in flood-prone areas are more likely to incur water damage, leading to higher insurance premiums. The percentage of homes at risk of severe flooding is a key factor, as insurers consider the vulnerability of the property to natural disasters.

Percent of Homes at Risk of Wildfires:
Points: 12

Homes located in regions prone to wildfires face an elevated risk of property damage. Insurance companies take into account the proximity of homes to wildfire-prone areas when determining premiums, as the likelihood of claims related to fire damage increases.

Percent of Homes at Risk of Severe Heat:
Points: 12

Severe heat can lead to various issues such as structural damage, especially in areas with extreme temperatures. Homes at risk of severe heat may require additional coverage or face higher premiums to account for the potential impact on the property.

Property Crime per 100,000:
Points: 14

The prevalence of property crime in an area can influence insurance rates. Higher crime rates may lead to an increased likelihood of theft or vandalism, prompting insurers to charge higher premiums to offset the risk of claims associated with property crimes.

Average Age of Homes:
Points: 10

Older homes may need more infrastructure, electrical systems, or plumbing, making them more prone to issues and potential claims. Insurers may charge higher premiums for older homes due to the increased likelihood of repairs or replacements.

Vacancy Rate:
Points: 10

Higher vacancy rates can indicate a lack of maintenance and security, potentially leading to increased risks for insurers. Properties in areas with high vacancy rates may face higher insurance premiums as insurers assess the increased likelihood of damage or unauthorized access.

Accessibility to Emergency Services:
Points: 10

The availability of fire stations can impact response times in case of emergencies. Areas with fewer fire stations per capita may experience delayed response times, potentially leading to more extensive damage. Insurance companies may adjust premiums based on the accessibility of emergency services.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2022, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Risk Factor, First Street Foundation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Methodology – Nationwide Survey:

In January 2024, we conducted a nationwide survey of 1,500 American citizens. Respondents were asked about their direct experiences with housing-related risk factors, overall tolerance for risk, and current strategies to navigate an unpredictable and evolving homeownership landscape. 55% of respondents were female, 42% were male and 3% were non-binary/non-conforming. The average age of respondents was 41.

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