One in Five Buyers Sacrifice Safety for Savings

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Some U.S. homebuyers are prioritizing affordability over safety, according to a new survey, though most aspiring homeowners still consider living in a low-crime area a top priority.

Redfin, a national real estate and brokerage firm, commissioned a survey conducted by Ipsos in May, polling over 4,000 homeowners and renters across the country. Among them, 1,224 respondents were actively planning to purchase a home within the next 12 months. The survey, which has a credibility interval of 3.4 percentage points, asked participants to rank 18 features as “must-have” or “willing to compromise” when searching for their next home.

The results revealed that approximately 22 percent of prospective buyers are willing to compromise on personal safety to secure a home at a lower price. Despite this, the majority of buyers still prioritize safety and low-crime neighbourhoods, with roughly 74 percent calling it a major factor in their decisions.

“What stands out in this survey is that affordability challenges are now strong enough to shift the threshold for what people are willing to give up,” said Chen Zhao, Redfin’s head of economic research. “Safety is typically considered a fundamental need, but in today’s market, some buyers feel they have no choice but to make concessions in that area if it means achieving homeownership.”

Housing affordability has been an ongoing concern for many Americans, as the median home-sale price in the U.S. has risen more than 40 percent since before the pandemic. Mortgage rates have also increased sharply, roughly doubling compared to pre-pandemic levels. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the country’s most popular home loan, was at 6.72 percent as of July 31, 2025.

High borrowing costs have created a situation where many homeowners with low, pre-pandemic mortgage rates are reluctant to sell, which has limited inventory and slowed the pace of home sales despite increased availability of properties.

The Redfin survey found that aside from safety, other key priorities for buyers include living in an area at low risk of natural disasters (68 percent), access to grocery stores and farmers’ markets (67 percent), and having enough bedrooms (64 percent). Additional features considered non-negotiable by many buyers include indoor space and square footage (63 percent), yard and outdoor space (62 percent), home type (60 percent), bathrooms (58 percent), and space for remote work (57 percent).

“People have always weighed different priorities when buying a home, and the right balance depends on each household’s circumstances,” Zhao said. “In many cases, buyers are expanding their search geographically, reducing their wish list, or accepting trade-offs they wouldn’t have considered five or ten years ago. Unfortunately, for some, that means purchasing in areas that may carry higher safety risks, whether due to crime, natural hazards, or other factors.”

Katie Shook, a Redfin Premier agent based in Phoenix, said affordability remains a significant challenge, particularly for first-time buyers. “Buyers want a home that fits their practical needs: bedrooms for each child, space to work from home, or an easy commute,” Shook said. “Some more luxurious features, like a fully finished backyard with a pool or a recently renovated kitchen, aren’t as valuable to buyers as they used to be. People might want those things, but they aren’t willing or able to pay extra for them.”

Looking ahead, industry analysts expect modest improvements in affordability as home prices stabilize or decline in major metro areas and inventories increase. Redfin data suggest national home prices could fall by up to 1 percent by the end of 2025, potentially providing new opportunities for buyers. However, real estate conditions remain highly regional, and affordability will vary significantly by location.

The survey underscores a growing trend: Americans are making tough trade-offs in a challenging housing market. While safety remains a priority for most, financial constraints are influencing decisions in ways that could affect neighbourhood choices and long-term living conditions.