01:56 PM EDT, 06/24/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US counties with the highest flood risk lost more residents than they gained last year as climate concerns, rising insurance costs and housing affordability pressures prompted more people to relocate, Redfin (RDFN) said Wednesday in a report.

High-flood-risk counties recorded a net outflow of 63,357 residents in 2025, almost double the 34,099 outflow in 2024, marking an acceleration in migration away from flood-prone areas, the real-estate brokerage said. Counties with lower flood risk posted a net inflow of 69,857 residents, the largest gain since 2018.

"Climate risk is becoming a more important factor when Americans weigh the costs and benefits of living in a certain place," said Daryl Fairweather, Redfin's chief economist. "Repeated disruptions and damage from extreme weather are making it more expensive -- and less predictable -- to own homes and live in the most flood-prone parts of the country."

A Redfin survey conducted by Ipsos in May found that 16% of Americans planning to move within the next year cited concerns about natural disasters or climate risks as a reason for relocating. Among respondents planning to move out of state, 21% identified climate-related concerns as a motivation.

"The significant uptick in movement away from flood-prone places suggests that concerns about flooding and climate are beginning to reshape where Americans choose to settle," Redfin said. Increasing climate risks, rising insurance and repair costs, storm-related property damage and soaring home prices are contributing to migration away from flood-prone counties, the report said.

The Redfin analysis combines US Census Bureau domestic migration data with climate-risk scores from First Street and excludes immigration. The report defines high-risk counties as those in the top 10% nationwide for the share of homes facing significant flood risk.

Miami and Houston topped the list of flood-prone places that lost the most residents in 2025, Redfin said. Many flood-prone counties attracting residents remain relatively affordable compared with those experiencing the largest outflows, the report said.