One in five U.S. homes face severe climate risk, Realtor.com finds
A new Realtor.com analysis using First Street risk modeling finds nearly 18.3% of U.S. homes—about one in five and worth roughly $8 trillion—are at severe or extreme risk from hurricane wind damage. The report also estimates 6.1% of homes (~$3.4 trillion) face severe/extreme flood risk and 5.6% (~$3.2 trillion) face severe/extreme fire risk; Realtor.com economist Jiayi Xu warns the numbers matter for insurance availability, property values and market stability, noting First Street’s approach counts heavy‑rain and climate‑driven future risk beyond FEMA flood maps.
Climate
Economy
Housing
📌 Key Facts
- 18.3% of U.S. homes (≈ one in five) are at severe or extreme hurricane wind risk; total exposed housing value ≈ $8 trillion.
- 6.1% of homes (~$3.4 trillion) at severe/extreme flood risk and 5.6% (~$3.2 trillion) at severe/extreme fire risk, per Realtor.com/First Street data.
- In 14 major metropolitan areas across Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida and Texas, 100% of homes are classified as having severe or extreme hurricane wind risk.