20 Best Cities for Climate Change in 2022

5. Laredo, Texas

Nestled right on the southern border of Texas, Laredo might not be your first thought when it comes to climate-friendly cities. But there’s more than meets the eye in The Gateway City, meaning it’s not just a beautiful blend of Mexican and American cultures (though that's certainly a huge selling point). Laredo has a high Cumulative Resilience Screening Index score and a low risk of disasters like fire and severe storms, indicating that even as our planet changes, Laredo homeowners won’t need to worry too much about natural disasters.

4. Boise, Idaho

Boise, Idaho, is actually a pretty great place to buy a home if you want to avoid the negative effects of climate change. Boise was recently given one of the highest Cumulative Resilience Screening Index scores of all cities studied. Add to that their relatively low-risk rating, and it's clear there's almost no better city poised to bounce back from whatever comes its way.

3. Tucson, Arizona

With over 286 sunny days and only 12 inches of rain every year, Tucson is a sunshine lover's paradise. Add to that a low cost of living and a high CRSI score, and Tucson is poised to become a mecca for homeowners looking toward the future. Though there are a few concerns Arizona homeowners need to be aware of, such as drought and extreme heat, the city already has a plan in place to help combat climate change and keep its city thriving for years to come.

2. El Paso, Texas

Want to move to a city where your home is at low risk for fire, flood, drought, and severe storms? Who doesn’t? El Paso ranks low on the climate change risk level for all of these factors, meaning your home will be that much safer from the negative effects of our changing climate. And while they don’t have a climate action plan as of yet, they do have low home prices and cost of living, meaning you can save money while you wait for a plan to fall into place.

1. Bakersfield, California

The best city for climate change is Bakersfield, California. But what exactly, other than the relatively low home prices for the state, makes this city such a great place to live? Bakersfield is home to the fifth-lowest climate risk level of all 100 cities studied in addition to a high resilience score, making it a great city for long-term real estate investment.

5. Denver, Colorado

The Mile High City is not immune to climate change. In fact, a recent study found that by 2080 Denver will feel more like a town in Texas than Colorado, with warmer temperatures and less snow than its residents are currently experiencing. The EPA has also rated Denver pretty low on the resilience index, meaning Denver homeowners will need to be prepared to update their homes as their surroundings change. However, the city is currently implementing a climate action plan to help combat some of these negative impacts.

4. Miami, Florida

Though Miami, Florida, may be coined Magic City, its coastal location means its climate change risk is anything but magical. At an extremely high propensity for flooding, extreme heat, and hurricanes, Miami homeowners will need to do some prep work to make sure their homes can stand up to the elements. The good news? Miami does have a climate strategy in place with the goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

3. Jersey City, New Jersey

Coastal homes are always at a higher risk for the effects of climate change than their inland counterparts. Due to New Jersey’s size and location, pretty much every home in the state is susceptible to flooding, hurricanes, and related damage. Add to that a high cost of living and home prices, and you may want to consider planting roots outside of Jersey City.

2. Newark, New Jersey

Are you surprised to see another NJ city on this list? You shouldn’t be. With the recent hurricanes, Irene and Sandy-damaged homes, and the wiped out power across the state for weeks, New Jersey has fallen most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and will likely continue to do so. Due to Newark’s location and lack of a climate action plan, the city is higher on the list than its neighbor Jersey City.

1. Arlington, Texas

The worst city for climate change turns out to be none other than Arlington, Texas. Scoring in the bottom half of all cities studied for climate change resilience, Arlington is also at high risk for extreme heat, drought, and severe storms. The city also doesn’t have a climate plan in place to help combat these risks, though that doesn’t mean they won’t get hip to the idea in the future.

Bottom line: If you are still deciding where to buy a home, it’s probably a good idea to avoid this area for long-term home value and low disaster risk.