Climate Risk Summary

Boston, MA Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Boston, MA are Inland Flooding, Hurricane, and Earthquake.

City-Wide Aggregation

These scores represent the population-weighted average across all residential blocks in Boston.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$50,008,926

Expected Annual Loss for Boston

20.5Score

Relatively High compared to US average

Boston
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Hurricane

$11,414,939

Expected Annual Loss for Boston

69.6Score

Relatively High compared to US average

Boston
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Earthquake

$10,237,224

Expected Annual Loss for Boston

56.7Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

Boston
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

City Boundary

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$50,008,926
Score: 20.5
MAJOR DRIVER
Hurricane
$11,414,939
Score: 69.6
MAJOR DRIVER
Earthquake
$10,237,224
Score: 56.7
Heat Wave
$7,998,356
Score: 55.9
Cold Wave
$7,356,830
Score: 46.8
Tornado
$2,282,298
Score: 24.2
Lightning
$1,991,774
Score: 50.4
Coastal Flooding
$2,892,967
Score: 25.9
Hail
$543,564
Score: 34.2
Strong Wind
$415,149
Score: 15.4
Ice Storm
$283,685
Score: 22.8
Winter Weather
$37,777
Score: 19.1
Wildfire
$1,667
Score: 7.1
Landslide
$287
Score: 32.8

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

🌀High Investment

Hurricane Mitigation

Install permanent hurricane shutters or upgrade to impact-resistant windows.

Risk Score: 69.6
🏠Low Investment

Earthquake Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 56.7
☀️Low Investment

Heat Wave Mitigation

Ensure attic insulation is R-49+ and consider a dual-fuel backup generator for AC.

Risk Score: 55.9
🏠Low Investment

Lightning Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 50.4

Sources and Methodology

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Cities

CambridgeChelseaEverettHullMilton

Zip Codes in Boston

021080210902110021110211302114021150211602118021190212002121021220212402125021260212702128021290213002131021320213402135021360215102152021630219902203022100221502467