Natural disasters have dominated the news in the last few years, with tornados, earthquakes, hurricanes and floods devastating lives and homes across the country. Which makes us wonder — where are the safest places to live?
These 10 metro areas represent the housing markets which have the lowest risk of natural disasters, according to Trulia’s (TRLA) hazard mapping.
You’ll notice that there aren’t any coastal areas on the list, and only one place south of the Mason Dixon line. But there are tradeoffs for all that risk mitigation, including some extreme temperatures and snowfall, which are not classified as natural disasters but have their own perils (hello polar vortex). We've included median home price (Trulia again) and other factors to assess true livability.
Scroll through the list using the nav bar at the bottom of this page and each subsequent page…
10. Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, Michigan
You won’t see any hurricanes in this area right outside Detroit, but the state’s unemployment rate of 8.4% might make the median home sales price of $220,000 out of reach for many.
The area boasts an average temperature of 47.9 degrees, and average yearly snowfall of 34.7 inches.
9. Denver, Colorado
The 100-year flood that crippled Denver last fall might take the city off the safe list this year, but in an average year the mile-high city has more than 300 sunny days to enjoy.
However, it's on the high end of affordability compared to the rest of the list, with an average median home sales price of $239,250.
8. Chicago, Illinois
This is the biggest city on our list, with a population of 2.7 million, and it's significantly cheaper than its rivals on either coast, with a median home sales price of $205,000.
But it’s not called the Windy City for nothing. The coldest wind chill recorded there (in 1983): -82.
7. Allentown, Pennsylvania
This city saw median home sales prices fall 9% in the fourth quarter, to $119,500.
But that affordability — and Amish pies at the farmers market — comes with an average of 32.9 inches of snow.
6. Dayton, Ohio
Tucked in the southwest corner of the state, this city boasts a good safety rating and affordable home prices, with a median sales price at $89,550. Combined with a mere 12.3 inches of snow yearly, this may be the most livable city on the list.
5. Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, Maryland
This metro area has the highest home prices on the list, with median sales prices at $800,000. State unemployment is at a low 6.1%, thanks to its location cheek-by-jowl with Washington, D.C.
4. Buffalo, New York
The average listing price for a Buffalo home is $140,624, but the average yearly snowfall is a whopping 94.7 inches. Blizzards and extreme cold are not part of the natural disasters tracked by Trulia, something to reckon with since the area saw 36 inches in that many hours in January.
3. Akron, Ohio
Akron ranks as one of the most affordable cities on our list, with median sales prices for homes at a mere $77,500. But with a hefty 47.6 inches of snow every year, some of those savings are probably offset by heating costs and coffee runs.
2. Cleveland, Ohio
In another showing for the Buckeye state, Cleveland has the most affordable median home sales price on our list at $61,800, but its location on Lake Erie means residents have to deal with an average of 56.9 inches of snow every year.
1. Syracuse, New York
Syracuse comes in first as the city with the lowest risk of natural disasters, but that seems little comfort since they’re also ranked first in national snowfall.
With an average of 115.6 inches every year, this is not a place for the faint of heart. But the median sale price of $199,000 is a bargain compared to some other cities in the northeast, and hopefully leaves residents enough cash for a snow blower.
Access the full Trulia list here.
