Mold isn’t just about bad luck or poor housekeeping. Where you live matters — a lot.

Climate, humidity, rainfall, flooding, building practices, and even local attitudes toward moisture problems all shape how likely mold is to become a serious issue in your home.

After my own family got sick, I stopped believing mold exposure was random. It follows patterns — and some states are set up to lose.

This isn’t a scientific ranking. It’s an opinion informed by building science, climate data, and lived experience.

What Actually Makes a State “Bad” for Mold

Mold thrives when these conditions overlap:

• high humidity
• frequent rain or flooding
• warm temperatures
• tight, poorly ventilated homes
• fast or cost-cutting construction
• a culture of minimizing moisture problems

The EPA is clear that indoor mold growth always points to a moisture issue (EPA Mold Resource). Some states simply create those conditions more often — and more quietly — than others.

1. Florida — The Perfect Mold Storm

Florida is, in my opinion, the worst state for mold exposure.

Constant humidity, heavy rainfall, hurricanes, flooding, and year-round warmth create ideal conditions for mold growth — especially inside walls and HVAC systems.

Add in:

• homes sealed tight for air conditioning
• condensation-prone ductwork
• storm damage that’s often “patched,” not fully dried

And you get homes that look fine — but make people feel awful.

2. Louisiana — Moisture That Never Leaves

Louisiana struggles with many of the same issues as Florida, but often with older housing stock and repeated flood events.

Persistent moisture, high water tables, and humidity that rarely drops create environments where mold isn’t just possible — it’s expected.

This is the kind of environment where people normalize symptoms and assume everyone feels the same.

3. Texas — Heat, Humidity, and Fast Builds

Texas surprises people.

But the combination of:

• high humidity in many regions
• extreme heat driving constant air conditioning
• rapid residential construction

creates serious moisture problems — especially in newer homes.

This is where I see many families blindsided, because the house is “new” and therefore assumed to be safe.

4. The Pacific Northwest — Quiet, Hidden Mold

I live here, so I say this with clarity and honesty.

Oregon and Washington don’t always get lumped into mold conversations, but they should.

Long rainy seasons, cool temperatures, shaded homes, and moisture that never fully dries create perfect conditions for slow, hidden mold growth.

This is the kind of mold that doesn’t scream. It whispers.

And it often shows up first as brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, and emotional changes — not dramatic wall growth.

I write a lot about that pattern here: Why Mold Makes You Feel Worse at Home .

5. New Jersey & the Northeast — Old Homes + Moisture

In the Northeast, the issue is often aging housing combined with moisture.

• basements
• stone foundations
• poor drainage
• seasonal humidity swings

These homes can harbor mold for decades. Residents are often told it’s “normal for old houses,” which delays real investigation.

The Most Dangerous Myth — “Everyone Here Has Mold”

One of the most damaging narratives I hear is:

“Everyone here has mold. You just get used to it.”

That belief silences people who are suffering.

Not everyone reacts the same way. Children often show symptoms first. Sensitive people are labeled anxious or dramatic.

I’ve written about that dismissal here: Why I Don’t Believe “A Little Mold Is Harmless” .

If You Live in One of These States

This isn’t about panic. It’s about awareness.

• Take moisture seriously
• Pay attention to musty smells
• Notice how you feel at home vs away
• Don’t dismiss recurring symptoms

If you’re dealing with mold already, safe cleaning matters. I explain what helped — and what made things worse — here: How to Clean Mold the Right Way .

My Final Opinion

Mold exposure isn’t evenly distributed. Geography matters. Climate matters. Building practices matter.

And pretending otherwise leaves people sick and confused.

If your home doesn’t feel safe in your body, you’re not wrong to question it — no matter what state you live in.

With you in this,
Ava

If you want to understand how my journey through mold exposure and environmental illness began, you can read more on my About page here.