Climate Risk and Coastal Real Estate: Millions of Homes Face Severe Flooding Threats by 2050
- Neil Caron
- Apr 12
- 2 min read
As climate change accelerates, so does the risk to America’s coastal homes. According to a recent report by nonprofit research group Climate Central, approximately 1.4 million homes in the U.S. are projected to face severe coastal flooding by 2050. The growing impact of climate risk in real estate is becoming a defining factor for homebuyers, sellers, and investors alike.
Florida Leads the Nation in Coastal Flood Risk
Florida tops the list of U.S. states with the highest number of homes at risk of flooding, with 143,000 residents over age 65 living in areas categorized as high flood risk. The report uses projections based on global commitments to reduce carbon emissions and estimates of sea-level rise from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Other states facing significant threats include New Jersey, New York, and Louisiana, all with dense coastal populations and substantial real estate exposure to flood zones.
Cities on the Front Lines
📍 New York City ranks highest in population exposure, with an estimated 271,000 residents at risk of severe flooding.
📍 Boston follows with around 85,000 at-risk individuals, while Houma, Louisiana, leads by percentage — with 100% of its 33,000 residents projected to be in a flood zone by 2050.
What Homebuyers Need to Know
With billions of dollars in real estate values at stake — Zillow estimates over $7 trillion in U.S. property is currently at risk of flooding — today's buyers are seeking flood risk data before making decisions. Climate awareness has become a must-have filter in the modern home search process.
Real estate platforms are responding. Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin now include climate risk scores on their listings, with Zillow citing that 83% of buyers consider climate risk — and 41% specifically evaluating flood zones — during their home search.
🐷 RSL Piggy Points – Key Takeaways:
🐷 1.4 million U.S. homes could face severe flooding by 2050.
🐷 Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Louisiana are the most vulnerable states.
🐷 $7 trillion in property value is currently exposed to flood risk.
🐷 Buyers are increasingly factoring climate change into real estate decisions.
🐷 Tools like Climate Central’s Coastal Risk Finder and Redfin’s ClimateCheck are helping inform smarter choices.
The RSL Perspective
“Climate risk isn’t a future concern — it’s a current reality shaping today’s real estate landscape,” says Neil Caron, Area Manager at CMG Mortgage and expert contributor to ReadySetLoan. “Buyers need to understand flood zone designations, insurance implications, and long-term home value. That’s where an educational resource like ReadySetLoan becomes vital.”
At ReadySetLoan, we help homebuyers navigate flood zone disclosures, understand renovation loan options for elevated homes, and explore financing solutions that account for climate resilience. We empower you to make informed decisions — whether you're buying in a high-risk zone or just want peace of mind for the future.
🌊 Thinking about buying a coastal home? Don’t dive in unprepared.
Visit ReadySetLoan for guidance on navigating the climate-related complexities of homeownership. Let us be your trusted resource and educational partner every step of the way.
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