Climate risk continues to drive decisions about where homebuyers are willing to put down roots. As wildfires ramp up across the U.S. and Canada, even areas that were once considered at low climate risk are experiencing poor air quality due to the increased presence of smoke, and this is impacting these areas’ local housing markets. According to a report from real estate marketing platform Redfin, U.S. counties at high risk of poor air quality lost 277,740 residents in 2025.

Still, this is roughly half as many as they lost in 2021 during the peak of the pandemic-era migration. In 2021, these areas saw a net outflow of 603,270. While outflow remains high, Americans are much more likely to stay put in recent years due to high housing costs.

The high-risk counties losing the most residents also have more expensive home prices

Counties that have high climate risk as well as high home prices are losing the most residents. Santa Clara County, Calif., for instance, lost 19,775 residents in 2025, while Los Angeles County lost 105,471 residents during the same period.

Meanwhile, other high-risk counties are gaining residents. Boise, Idaho, Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Provo, Utah, gained thousands of residents last year, likely due to a mix of desirability and affordability. Ada County, Idaho, where Boise is located, gained 8,528 more residents than it lost last year, and Placer County, Calif., home to Lake Tahoe, gained 7,074 residents.

Buyers are seeking out homes with high-quality air filtration systems

As poor air quality becomes an increasing threat and as more households choose to stay put, at-home air filtration has become a more coveted feature. According to Redfin, 36% of U.S. house hunters say high-end filtration systems for air and water are must-have features. Many house hunters also say they value these features more than smart-home technology or luxury amenities like pools or gyms.