Houston is the No. 1 riskiest city in the nation to be a homeowner, study finds

In Houston, Texas, the real estate market presents considerable challenges, especially for first-time homebuyers. However, despite the obstacles, there is still optimism for those aspiring to purchase their dream home.

A recent study conducted by Zillow revealed that compared to 2020, homebuyers now require 70% more income in Houston to comfortably afford a home. While this may seem relatively favorable compared to other regions across the country, a new report from Claimguide.org has identified Houston as the riskiest city for homeownership in 2024.

The report highlighted various risks that homeowners face, making it difficult for them to gauge their level of risk exposure and understand its impact on insurance premiums.

According to the findings, Houston, also known as Space City, claimed the top spot as the riskiest city, with a staggering 98% of homes vulnerable to extreme heat and 64% susceptible to severe flooding within the next three decades.

The evaluation of cities was based on insurance-related factors, as stated on the report’s website. Notably, Houston was the lone Texas city featured in the top 10, with Corpus Christi ranking at No. 15. The majority of the other cities on the list were located in California, Louisiana, and Florida.