Boston, MA real-estate risk
Boston, MA (Suffolk County) carries a FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.5/100 — rated "Relatively Moderate" — driven mainly by heat wave and earthquake, with roughly $115M in expected natural-hazard losses per year (FEMA NRI, 2025).
Hazard scores (0–100)
Expected annual loss
$115M/yr
all natural hazards, county-wide
Buildings-only loss
$89M/yr
the part that hits owners + insurers
What it means for insurance
Coastal flood and hurricane exposure make property insurance the swing cost in this market — premiums and deductibles here can move a deal's NOI by double digits. Treat the insurance binder as a Day-1 diligence item.
Boston risk — FAQ
Is Boston, MA a high-risk area for real estate?
Boston scores 93.5/100 on FEMA's National Risk Index — rated "Relatively Moderate" versus all US counties. Its expected natural-hazard loss is about $115M per year.
What is the biggest natural hazard in Boston?
The highest-rated hazard is heat wave (97.5/100), followed by earthquake (95/100).
How does hazard risk affect property insurance in Boston?
Coastal flood and hurricane exposure make property insurance the swing cost in this market — premiums and deductibles here can move a deal's NOI by double digits. Treat the insurance binder as a Day-1 diligence item.
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Source: FEMA National Risk Index (Counties), v1.20 (2026-06-13). Scores are national percentiles (0–100). Insurance commentary is PropHunt's interpretation of the hazard data, not an insurance quote.
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