2026 Rankings

Highest Remediation Cost vs Home Value — 2026

Last updated: June 4, 2026

29,043 ZIP codes ranked by Remediation Burden #1: ZIP 87712 (Buena Vista, NM) — $2,700

Out of 29,043 ZIP codes with data across all 50 states, these are the areas where estimated safety remediation costs represent the largest share of median home value. Each ZIP links to a full safety report with water quality, lead, radon, and flood data.

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 29,043
Highest burden 27.0% of median home value
Median burden 0.8% of median home value
Median estimated cost $2,400

Top 100 Highest Remediation Burden ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Est. Cost Median Home Value Burden %
1 87712 Buena Vista NM $2,700 $9,999 27.0%
2 26203 Erbacon WV $2,200 $9,999 22.0%
3 36031 Fort Davis AL $2,200 $9,999 22.0%
4 41364 Ricetown KY $2,200 $9,999 22.0%
5 86023 Grand Canyon AZ $3,500 $18,400 19.0%
6 61605 Peoria IL $8,340 $44,200 18.9%
7 23416 Oak Hall VA $1,800 $9,999 18.0%
8 25149 Ottawa WV $1,800 $9,999 18.0%
9 87565 San Jose NM $1,800 $9,999 18.0%
10 85135 Hayden AZ $6,100 $37,400 16.3%
11 41643 Lackey KY $1,600 $9,999 16.0%
12 15104 Braddock PA $8,700 $56,700 15.3%
13 67638 Gaylord KS $7,380 $51,200 14.4%
14 69036 Lebanon NE $7,800 $55,000 14.2%
15 67478 Simpson KS $3,600 $25,800 14.0%
16 45403 Dayton OH $9,720 $73,900 13.2%
17 41810 Cromona KY $2,900 $23,300 12.4%
18 61484 Vermont IL $7,440 $60,200 12.4%
19 61603 Peoria IL $8,940 $73,100 12.2%
20 79718 Balmorhea TX $7,180 $59,500 12.1%
21 45405 Dayton OH $8,940 $74,100 12.1%
22 14169 Wales Center NY $1,200 $9,999 12.0%
23 25076 Ethel WV $1,200 $9,999 12.0%
24 99160 Orient WA $1,200 $9,999 12.0%
25 26261 Richwood WV $7,660 $64,400 11.9%
26 45417 Dayton OH $8,640 $73,000 11.8%
27 67651 Natoma KS $3,600 $31,000 11.6%
28 15901 Johnstown PA $2,200 $19,200 11.5%
29 41616 David KY $2,200 $19,200 11.5%
30 25211 Widen WV $1,600 $14,500 11.0%
31 45404 Dayton OH $9,060 $82,400 11.0%
32 45406 Dayton OH $8,940 $82,300 10.9%
33 76470 Ranger TX $6,900 $64,000 10.8%
34 66964 Republic KS $2,400 $22,300 10.8%
35 15030 Creighton PA $8,460 $78,700 10.8%
36 62874 Orient IL $5,440 $51,000 10.7%
37 45416 Dayton OH $8,040 $76,000 10.6%
38 47528 Edwardsport IN $7,300 $72,300 10.1%
39 41348 Lost Creek KY $2,200 $23,200 9.5%
40 66860 Madison KS $7,660 $81,200 9.4%
41 62633 Easton IL $8,700 $92,800 9.4%
42 49960 Rockland MI $5,580 $59,800 9.3%
43 17934 Gilberton PA $3,000 $32,200 9.3%
44 61453 Little York IL $7,920 $85,100 9.3%
45 69043 Stratton NE $6,900 $76,500 9.0%
46 16732 Gifford PA $5,020 $56,500 8.9%
47 18651 Plymouth PA $7,980 $90,400 8.8%
48 31083 Scotland GA $4,800 $55,000 8.7%
49 48141 Inkster MI $6,600 $75,700 8.7%
50 61604 Peoria IL $8,640 $100,000 8.6%
51 62540 Kincaid IL $6,820 $79,000 8.6%
52 82329 Medicine Bow WY $6,480 $75,300 8.6%
53 61778 Waynesville IL $7,680 $91,200 8.4%
54 68375 Hubbell NE $3,300 $39,400 8.4%
55 76834 Coleman TX $7,160 $87,600 8.2%
56 15960 Twin Rocks PA $6,280 $77,500 8.1%
57 44507 Youngstown OH $2,200 $27,200 8.1%
58 61870 Ridge Farm IL $6,240 $77,800 8.0%
59 58760 Maxbass ND $7,020 $87,900 8.0%
60 45410 Dayton OH $7,800 $97,800 8.0%
61 72522 Charlotte AR $2,200 $27,800 7.9%
62 31650 Willacoochee GA $4,680 $59,600 7.8%
63 45402 Dayton OH $8,280 $105,900 7.8%
64 62932 Elkville IL $6,340 $81,300 7.8%
65 64426 Blythedale MO $2,200 $28,200 7.8%
66 29113 Norway SC $6,760 $88,000 7.7%
67 45420 Dayton OH $8,880 $116,200 7.6%
68 10475 Bronx NY $2,400 $31,900 7.5%
69 61937 Lovington IL $7,440 $99,200 7.5%
70 66749 Iola KS $7,560 $101,000 7.5%
71 45426 Dayton OH $8,340 $111,900 7.4%
72 79545 Roscoe TX $7,440 $100,600 7.4%
73 44902 Mansfield OH $4,300 $58,500 7.3%
74 57645 Morristown SD $2,700 $37,100 7.3%
75 40820 Cranks KY $1,600 $22,000 7.3%
76 62812 Benton IL $7,320 $100,900 7.2%
77 61606 Peoria IL $8,520 $119,800 7.1%
78 76363 Goree TX $1,800 $25,300 7.1%
79 61089 Winslow IL $8,340 $118,000 7.1%
80 24866 Newhall WV $1,200 $17,300 6.9%
81 61450 La Harpe IL $6,540 $95,400 6.9%
82 78594 Sebastian TX $2,600 $37,900 6.9%
83 61924 Chrisman IL $7,920 $115,700 6.9%
84 62439 Lawrenceville IL $6,700 $98,200 6.8%
85 68760 Niobrara NE $6,120 $89,800 6.8%
86 41317 Clayhole KY $2,200 $32,300 6.8%
87 33815 Lakeland FL $2,900 $42,700 6.8%
88 26750 Piedmont WV $3,000 $44,500 6.7%
89 48505 Flint MI $1,900 $28,300 6.7%
90 17253 Saltillo PA $7,500 $112,000 6.7%
91 59241 Hinsdale MT $7,980 $119,300 6.7%
92 45439 Dayton OH $7,980 $120,100 6.6%
93 72350 Joiner AR $5,640 $85,000 6.6%
94 85618 Mammoth AZ $6,580 $99,700 6.6%
95 58335 Fort Totten ND $2,400 $36,500 6.6%
96 70082 Pointe A La Hache LA $2,500 $38,200 6.5%
97 17935 Girardville PA $2,900 $44,400 6.5%
98 61773 Sibley IL $6,780 $104,200 6.5%
99 62341 Hamilton IL $7,700 $118,200 6.5%
100 15849 Penfield PA $6,900 $106,300 6.5%

Rankings by State

State ZIP Codes Ranked
Pennsylvania 1,671
New York 1,597
Texas 1,568
California 1,519
Illinois 1,329
Ohio 1,132
Florida 922
Iowa 922
Missouri 920
Minnesota 857
Michigan 790
Virginia 764
Wisconsin 762
North Carolina 738
Indiana 728
Kentucky 645
Kansas 637
West Virginia 561
Georgia 559
New Jersey 556
Alabama 545
Tennessee 537
Washington 522
Oklahoma 516
Nebraska 515
Massachusetts 512
Colorado 471
Louisiana 436
Maryland 415
Maine 401
Arkansas 392
Arizona 375
Oregon 346
South Carolina 341
North Dakota 329
Mississippi 328
Connecticut 324
South Dakota 313
Montana 312
Utah 273
New Mexico 260
Vermont 243
Idaho 242
New Hampshire 239
Nevada 145
Wyoming 130
Alaska 117
Rhode Island 72
Hawaii 66
Delaware 58
District of Columbia 22

Methodology

The remediation burden ratio is calculated as: estimated remediation cost / median home value. Remediation costs are the sum of applicable safety measures for each ZIP code based on EPA, FEMA, and state data:

  • Lead service line replacement — where lead exposure risk is elevated (based on housing age, water system data, and EPA sampling)
  • Radon mitigation system — in EPA Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas with predicted indoor radon above 4 pCi/L
  • Whole-home water filtration — where contaminant levels exceed EPA guidelines
  • Flood insurance — in FEMA-designated flood zones with claim history
  • PFAS treatment — where PFAS detections have been reported

Median home values are from U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) estimates. Cost estimates use national average ranges from EPA, HUD, and industry data. Individual home costs may vary significantly based on specific conditions.

Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "remediation cost relative to home value" mean?

This ratio compares the estimated cost of addressing safety issues (lead pipes, radon mitigation, water filtration, flood insurance) to the median home value in that ZIP code. A ratio of 10% means remediation could cost roughly one-tenth of a typical home's value — a significant financial burden.

How are remediation costs estimated?

Costs are based on national averages for common remediation projects: lead service line replacement ($4,700-$12,000), radon mitigation ($800-$2,500), whole-home water filtration ($1,500-$4,000), and flood insurance premiums. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Why does this matter for homebuyers?

In areas with high remediation burden, the cost of making a home safe can represent a large portion of the home's value. This is especially impactful in lower-value housing markets where a $15,000 remediation bill represents 10-30% of the home price. Standard home inspections may not identify all these issues.

Does a high ratio mean the home is unsafe?

Not necessarily. The ratio reflects potential costs based on area-level environmental data — not every home in the ZIP code will need all remediation work. However, it indicates elevated risk factors that buyers should investigate before purchasing.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →


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Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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