Want To Live In A ‘Climate Haven’ City? These Are America’s Least Expensive
https://climatecrisis247.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2053302-150x150.jpgIn recent years, Americans have been flocking to the Southeastern United States. From Tennessee and the Carolinas, down to Florida and out through Texas, cities across the American South have reported a rapid influx of new residents. For many relocating to these areas, warm temperatures, growing economies, and a relatively low cost of living have been a major draw – but when accounting for the looming threat posed by climate change, many of these new hotspot destinations appear less than ideal.
According to the latest Census Bureau data, the share of Americans who cited climate change as primary reason for moving increased slightly between 2021 and 2022, from 0.7% to 0.9%. But if, as is widely predicted within the scientific community, natural disasters increase in both intensity and frequency as the planet warms, climate-related relocations will likely become far more prevalent. In this scenario, certain U.S. cities appear to be far safer long-term bets than others.
Due to a number of factors, including moderate temperatures, existing infrastructure, access to fresh water supplies, and limited exposure to natural disasters like hurricanes or wildfires, several U.S. cities stand out as possible safe-havens from the most extreme potential consequences of ongoing climate change.
Reviewing reports from both the media and scientific journals, Climate Crisis 247 identified some of the least expensive U.S. cities that have been singled out as potential climate havens. Cities are ranked on median home value, as reflected in five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. Supplemental population data are also from the ACS. Annual average temperatures for the most recent year available, as well as baseline average annual temperatures, are from the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration.
It is important to note that existing scientific research into climate haven cities is limited, and that certain cities identified as potential refuges have also been found to have meaningful climate-related vulnerabilities. As a result, until more extensive, peer-reviewed research becomes available, many cities appear on this list only as speculative possibilities.
20. Boulder, Colorado
- Median home value in city: $982,600
- Avg. temperature in 2020: 52.7°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 51.7°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: Mountain region (Western U.S.)
- Local population: 106,274
19. Seattle, Washington
- Median home value in city: $912,100
- Avg. temperature in 2023: 53.8°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 52.6°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: Pacific region (Western U.S.)
- Local population: 741,440
18. Boise, Idaho
- Median home value in city: $456,000
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 55.4°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 53.8°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: Mountain region (Western U.S.)
- Local population: 235,701
17. Portland, Maine
- Median home value in city: $452,600
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 49.1°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 46.2°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: New England region (Northeastern U.S.)
- Local population: 68,505
16. Eugene, Oregon
- Median home value in city: $435,400
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 54.8°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 53.9°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: Pacific region (Western U.S.)
- Local population: 177,520
15. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Median home value in city: $435,100
- Avg. temperature in 2024: N/A
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: N/A
- Located in: East North Central region (Midwestern U.S.)
- Local population: 121,179
14. Asheville, North Carolina
- Median home value in city: $411,000
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 59.2°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 57.5°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: South Atlantic region (Southern U.S.)
- Local population: 94,369
13. Burlington, Vermont
- Median home value in city: $400,200
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 51.0°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 47.6°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: New England region (Northeastern U.S.)
- Local population: 44,649
12. Madison, Wisconsin
- Median home value in city: $346,900
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 50.9°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 47.1°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: East North Central region (Midwestern U.S.)
- Local population: 275,568
11. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Median home value in city: $345,600
Avg. temperature in 2024: 50.9°F (latest year of available data)
Avg. annual baseline temperature: 46.9°F (1991-2020)
Located in: West North Central region (Midwestern U.S.)
Local population: 426,845
10. Ithaca, New York
- Median home value in city: $330,100
- Avg. temperature in 2024: N/A
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: N/A
- Located in: Middle Atlantic region (Northeastern U.S.)
- Local population: 31,792
9. Spokane, Washington
- Median home value in city: $326,200
- Avg. temperature in 2023: 50.7°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 49.0°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: Pacific region (Western U.S.)
- Local population: 229,228
8. Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Median home value in city: $322,500
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 61.7°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 57.8°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: West South Central region (Southern U.S.)
- Local population: 97,227
7. Columbus, Ohio
- Median home value in city: $234,500
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 57.3°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 53.8°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: East North Central region (Midwestern U.S.)
- Local population: 906,480
6. Kansas City, Missouri
- Median home value in city: $227,000
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 57.2°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 56.2°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: West North Central region (Midwestern U.S.)
- Local population: 508,233
5. Duluth, Minnesota
- Median home value in city: $225,700
- Avg. temperature in 2023: 42.6°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 40.5°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: West North Central region (Midwestern U.S.)
- Local population: 86,863
4. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Median home value in city: $215,300
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 57.9°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 54.6°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: East North Central (Midwestern U.S.)
- Local population: 309,595
3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Median home value in city: $193,200
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 55.4°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 52.3°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: Middle Atlantic region (Northeastern U.S.)
- Local population: 303,620
2. Buffalo, New York
- Median home value in city: $152,300
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 53.0°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 49.0°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: Middle Atlantic region (Northeastern U.S.)
- Local population: 276,397
1. Rochester, New York
- Median home value in city: $120,600
- Avg. temperature in 2024: 52.6°F (latest year of available data)
- Avg. annual baseline temperature: 48.7°F (1991-2020)
- Located in: Middle Atlantic region (Northeastern U.S.)
- Local population: 209,720
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