Out of 2,186 ZIP codes with data in New York, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All New York Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 2,186 |
| Highest value | 83/100 |
| Median value | 40/100 |
| State | New York |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Purchase Risk | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14061 | Farnham | NY | 83/100 | 61/100 |
| 2 | 12414 | Catskill | NY | 80/100 | 43/100 |
| 3 | 12489 | Wawarsing | NY | 77/100 | 62/100 |
| 4 | 11224 | Brooklyn | NY | 76/100 | 47/100 |
| 5 | 13755 | Downsville | NY | 76/100 | 56/100 |
| 6 | 13859 | Wells Bridge | NY | 76/100 | 69/100 |
| 7 | 10914 | Blooming Grove | NY | 74/100 | 40/100 |
| 8 | 11235 | Brooklyn | NY | 74/100 | 47/100 |
| 9 | 12430 | Fleischmanns | NY | 74/100 | 41/100 |
| 10 | 13838 | Sidney | NY | 74/100 | 41/100 |
| 11 | 12068 | Fonda | NY | 73/100 | 47/100 |
| 12 | 12407 | Ashland | NY | 73/100 | 58/100 |
| 13 | 12480 | Shandaken | NY | 73/100 | 61/100 |
| 14 | 12468 | Prattsville | NY | 72/100 | 58/100 |
| 15 | 13615 | Brownville | NY | 72/100 | 52/100 |
| 16 | 13802 | Maine | NY | 72/100 | 62/100 |
| 17 | 13849 | Unadilla | NY | 72/100 | 58/100 |
| 18 | 14770 | Portville | NY | 72/100 | 56/100 |
| 19 | 11229 | Brooklyn | NY | 71/100 | 52/100 |
| 20 | 11231 | Brooklyn | NY | 71/100 | 52/100 |
| 21 | 11232 | Brooklyn | NY | 71/100 | 57/100 |
| 22 | 12305 | Schenectady | NY | 71/100 | 70/100 |
| 23 | 12758 | Livingston Manor | NY | 71/100 | 51/100 |
| 24 | 12771 | Port Jervis | NY | 71/100 | 47/100 |
| 25 | 13903 | Binghamton | NY | 71/100 | 47/100 |
| 26 | 13905 | Binghamton | NY | 71/100 | 47/100 |
| 27 | 14136 | Silver Creek | NY | 71/100 | 56/100 |
| 28 | 12401 | Kingston | NY | 70/100 | 25/100 |
| 29 | 12791 | Youngsville | NY | 70/100 | 61/100 |
| 30 | 13827 | Owego | NY | 70/100 | 51/100 |
| 31 | 13856 | Walton | NY | 70/100 | 46/100 |
| 32 | 13904 | Binghamton | NY | 70/100 | 52/100 |
| 33 | 12472 | Rosendale | NY | 69/100 | 61/100 |
| 34 | 13206 | Syracuse | NY | 69/100 | 38/100 |
| 35 | 12072 | Fultonville | NY | 68/100 | 57/100 |
| 36 | 12455 | Margaretville | NY | 68/100 | 46/100 |
| 37 | 13202 | Syracuse | NY | 68/100 | 43/100 |
| 38 | 13339 | Fort Plain | NY | 68/100 | 66/100 |
| 39 | 13421 | Oneida | NY | 68/100 | 54/100 |
| 40 | 13748 | Conklin | NY | 68/100 | 51/100 |
| 41 | 14011 | Attica | NY | 68/100 | 55/100 |
| 42 | 12413 | Cairo | NY | 67/100 | 40/100 |
| 43 | 12443 | Hurley | NY | 67/100 | 61/100 |
| 44 | 13901 | Binghamton | NY | 67/100 | 52/100 |
| 45 | 14005 | Alexander | NY | 67/100 | 60/100 |
| 46 | 14203 | Buffalo | NY | 67/100 | 67/100 |
| 47 | 10804 | New Rochelle | NY | 66/100 | 69/100 |
| 48 | 11566 | Merrick | NY | 66/100 | 63/100 |
| 49 | 12106 | Kinderhook | NY | 66/100 | 61/100 |
| 50 | 12122 | Middleburgh | NY | 66/100 | 51/100 |
| 51 | 12182 | Troy | NY | 66/100 | 54/100 |
| 52 | 12410 | Big Indian | NY | 66/100 | 45/100 |
| 53 | 12564 | Pawling | NY | 66/100 | 53/100 |
| 54 | 13204 | Syracuse | NY | 66/100 | 38/100 |
| 55 | 13208 | Syracuse | NY | 66/100 | 43/100 |
| 56 | 14027 | Brant | NY | 66/100 | 58/100 |
| 57 | 10921 | Florida | NY | 65/100 | 40/100 |
| 58 | 13138 | Pompey | NY | 65/100 | 54/100 |
| 59 | 13760 | Endicott | NY | 65/100 | 51/100 |
| 60 | 13777 | Glen Aubrey | NY | 65/100 | 58/100 |
| 61 | 13825 | Otego | NY | 65/100 | 61/100 |
| 62 | 14130 | Pike | NY | 65/100 | 66/100 |
| 63 | 14757 | Mayville | NY | 65/100 | 53/100 |
| 64 | 06390 | Fishers Island | NY | 64/100 | 88/100 |
| 65 | 10960 | Nyack | NY | 64/100 | 58/100 |
| 66 | 10994 | West Nyack | NY | 64/100 | 59/100 |
| 67 | 11222 | Brooklyn | NY | 64/100 | 57/100 |
| 68 | 12010 | Amsterdam | NY | 64/100 | 30/100 |
| 69 | 12748 | Jeffersonville | NY | 64/100 | 56/100 |
| 70 | 13733 | Bainbridge | NY | 64/100 | 56/100 |
| 71 | 14070 | Gowanda | NY | 64/100 | 58/100 |
| 72 | 14219 | Buffalo | NY | 64/100 | 57/100 |
| 73 | 10805 | New Rochelle | NY | 63/100 | 74/100 |
| 74 | 10925 | Greenwood Lake | NY | 63/100 | 57/100 |
| 75 | 10931 | Hillburn | NY | 63/100 | 85/100 |
| 76 | 11234 | Brooklyn | NY | 63/100 | 52/100 |
| 77 | 12438 | Halcottsville | NY | 63/100 | 53/100 |
| 78 | 12496 | Windham | NY | 63/100 | 26/100 |
| 79 | 12884 | Victory Mills | NY | 63/100 | 71/100 |
| 80 | 12887 | Whitehall | NY | 63/100 | 54/100 |
| 81 | 13203 | Syracuse | NY | 63/100 | 43/100 |
| 82 | 13205 | Syracuse | NY | 63/100 | 43/100 |
| 83 | 13210 | Syracuse | NY | 63/100 | 43/100 |
| 84 | 13730 | Afton | NY | 63/100 | 46/100 |
| 85 | 13812 | Nichols | NY | 63/100 | 60/100 |
| 86 | 13820 | Oneonta | NY | 63/100 | 44/100 |
| 87 | 14134 | Sardinia | NY | 63/100 | 66/100 |
| 88 | 14211 | Buffalo | NY | 63/100 | 62/100 |
| 89 | 14212 | Buffalo | NY | 63/100 | 67/100 |
| 90 | 14611 | Rochester | NY | 63/100 | 73/100 |
| 91 | 10524 | Garrison | NY | 62/100 | 61/100 |
| 92 | 10924 | Goshen | NY | 62/100 | 35/100 |
| 93 | 11223 | Brooklyn | NY | 62/100 | 57/100 |
| 94 | 12307 | Schenectady | NY | 62/100 | 79/100 |
| 95 | 12482 | South Cairo | NY | 62/100 | 68/100 |
Methodology
The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?
This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.
What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?
Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.
Explore More Rankings
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