As the United States grapples with more frequent and intense natural disasters, homeowners are rethinking where they want to live. According to a recent survey by Kin Insurance, more than 52% of U.S. homeowners would consider moving homes or even leaving their state due to increased risks from natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods.
This shift in homebuying preferences reflects growing concerns about safety and the escalating costs of protecting property in vulnerable regions, especially coastal areas and Tornado Alley.
Key takeaways:
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More than half of homeowners (52%) say they’d consider moving due to increased risks of natural disasters.
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Florida (30%) and California (27%) are the top two states homeowners would avoid due to increased natural disaster risks.
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35% of homeowners say they are concerned about a significant risk of tornadoes where they live. Other rising concerns include wildfires (33%), floods (33%), and hurricanes (32%).
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As natural disasters contribute to higher insurance premiums, 72% of homeowners say the cost of coverage has become unaffordable.
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Homeowners in many states may be able to lower premiums by hardening their homes against weather-related risks.
Natural disasters are reshaping real estate decisions
Nearly half of U.S. homeowners (48%) say they would avoid purchasing a home in states with a higher risk of natural disasters. That reluctance was most pronounced in once sought-after destinations — Florida (30%) and California (27%) — which are now frequently affected by hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding.
But it’s not just the direct risk of natural disasters driving hesitation. The cost and availability of home insurance is now a make-or-break factor for many homeowners. Nearly four out of 10 respondents indicate that the price and availability of home insurance coverage would deter them from buying a home in California. Similar sentiments surround Florida, as three in 10 respondents indicate they’d avoid buying a house in the Sunshine State.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, many homeowners are also disenchanted with waterfront living. Nearly 50% of those who once considered buying a home in a coastal area say they’d reconsider due to the ongoing threat of natural disasters. Slightly more — 53% — say the cost of coastal home insurance premiums would prevent them from doing so.
Weather events drive homeowner anxieties
Data from the Kin study paints a picture of climate-driven anxiety and its hold over homeowners, many of whom now confront extreme weather more frequently.
Tornadoes are the top concern for homeowners, with 35% of respondents expressing worry about an increased future risk from these destructive storms.
Their concerns are likely grounded in recent history and future predictions. AccuWeather forecasts up to 1,450 tornadoes for 2025 — well above the historical average of 1,225 per year. These projections come on the heels of 2024, the second-most active tornado season on record. Last year was also the fourth-most costly season on record, with natural disasters causing over $182 billion in damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Tornadoes, of course, aren’t the only concern that plagues homeowners. The risk of wildfires (33%), floods (33%), hurricanes (32%), and severe thunderstorms (31%) round out the top five natural disasters that homeowners worry about when they think about the future.
When asked about wildfires and future home damage, about 51% of respondents reported increasing levels of worry, with nearly 18% admitting they are more concerned than ever. The devastating Palisade fires, still fresh in the memories of many homeowners, were a top reason (45%) driving that concern.
Respondents expressed similar concerns when asked about damage from hurricanes, which are often accompanied by flooding. About 41% of homeowners report growing concern, with 15% admitting they’re more worried about hurricane damage now than ever. The reasons are varied but rooted in both economic and climate realities.
More than half (55%) of respondents indicate previous weather events have them on edge about future hurricanes, while 46% say insurance premiums play a role. Predicted weather patterns (42%) and a higher cost of home repairs (41%) also top the list.
The rising costs of homeownership in 2025
Across the U.S., the median home value has increased by 40% since 2020, and the average mortgage has increased by 24%. For homeowners, those budget items are compounded by the cost of home insurance, which is typically mandatory if a homeowner has a mortgage.
A striking 72% of homeowners strongly or somewhat agree that home insurance has become unaffordable. In states where extreme weather events are more frequent, the percentage of homeowners is even higher (34% strongly agree, 42% somewhat agree). But there are ways to save. Homeowners reported increasing their deductible (22%), switching insurance providers (17%), removing optional coverage (9%), and reducing coverage limits (9%).
Working with licensed insurance agents specialized in serving customers in markets where the increased extreme weather impacts rates can help. Kin offers customizable, data-driven home insurance policies to help homeowners in high-risk areas protect their homes against extreme weather and evolving climate challenges.
Coping with climate risk: How to harden homes to lower premiums
Today, homeowners nationwide are forced to balance their desire to put down roots with anxieties about natural disasters and their direct and indirect costs. Homeowners insurance plays an important role in providing financial protection when disaster strikes, but it’s also a necessary budget item.
As premiums rise, many homeowners are seeking alternatives to manage risk and control costs. Hardening a home against natural disasters has become popular, helping policyholders protect their most valuable asset. The benefits of home hardening can extend beyond basic home protections.
While savings vary, home hardening efforts can cut insurance premiums by hundreds of dollars annually, especially in high-risk zones.
Many home insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who:
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Install wind-resistant roofing
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Create wildfire defensible spaces
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Install storm shutters
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Elevate HVAC and electrical systems in flood zones
Extreme weather events and natural disasters are influencing where Americans live, how they protect their homes, and how much they pay for insurance. As climate risks grow, premiums climb, forcing homeowners to make strategic decisions about where they call home.
Navigating this evolving climate landscape requires homeowners to analyze and adapt to risks while making well-informed decisions about who they trust with their coverage needs and how to best protect their home, whether it’s shopping for a new home insurance policy or hardening their home against climate-related threats.
Methodology
Kin commissioned Pollfish to poll a nationally representative sample of 1,000 American adults between the ages of 25 and 75 who currently own a single-family home in the United States. (For the purposes of this survey, apartments, condos, mobile, and manufactured homes did not qualify as single-family homes.) The survey was performed online on May 12, 2025. Percentages were rounded to the nearest whole number.