For many Americans, particularly those looking for a place to retire, weather is a major role in the final decision. The ideal weather is, like many things, subjective — some people prefer the arctic winds, while other prefer heat and humidity. However, the vast majority of Americans would likely choose, given the option, weather that is not too hot or cold, not too wet or dry, and clear skies whenever possible.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association’s climate normals database, which calculates annual averages over the 30 year period from 1981 to 2010. To determine the cities with the best weather, we created an index of minimum, maximum, and average temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, wind, humidity, and more.
While many people would choose a warm climate over a freezing cold one, for many there are some climates that are just too hot. Cities like Phoenix, Arizona, where temperatures exceed 90°F about 170 days each year, are likely too hot for many people to live year-round.
We rewarded places with fewer rainy days per year, as most people prefer a precipitation-free, sunny day over rain or snow. We also penalized places that get too little precipitation, however, as an arid climate can hurt vegitation and lead to wildfires and water restrictions.
Click here to see the cities with the best weather.
25. Savannah, GA
> Average annual temp: 66.7°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 110
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 27
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 152
[in-text-ad]
24. Austin, TX
> Average annual temp: 69.3°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 84
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 18
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 136
23. Fort Myers, FL
> Average annual temp: 75.1°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 112
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 1
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 99
22. Jacksonville, FL
> Average annual temp: 68.5°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 115
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 15
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 144
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Del Rio, TX
> Average annual temp: 70.4°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 58
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 15
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 138
20. Long Beach, CA
> Average annual temp: 64.7°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 34
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 1
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 87
[in-text-ad]
19. San Diego, CA
> Average annual temp: 63.6°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 41
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 102
24/7 Wall St.
18. West Palm Beach, FL
> Average annual temp: 75.4°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 133
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 131
17. Tampa, FL
> Average annual temp: 73.4°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 106
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 2
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 121
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Miami, FL
> Average annual temp: 77.2°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 133
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 115
15. Corpus Christi, TX
> Average annual temp: 72.1°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 76
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 6
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 142
[in-text-ad]
14. Victoria, TX
> Average annual temp: 70.2°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 90
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 10
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 162
24/7 Wall St.
13. Walla Walla, WA
> Average annual temp: 53.5°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 107
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 70
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
12. Brownsville, TX
> Average annual temp: 74.5°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 71
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 3
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 138
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Daytona Beach, FL
> Average annual temp: 70.8°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 115
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 5
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 136
10. Kahului, HI
> Average annual temp: 75.8°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 88
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 90
[in-text-ad]
9. Dallas, TX
> Average annual temp: 67.1°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 79
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 31
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
8. Gainesville, FL
> Average annual temp: 68.9°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 115
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 17
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
7. Lihue, HI
> Average annual temp: 75.8°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 197
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 125
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Galveston, TX
> Average annual temp: 71.2°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 96
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 3
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
5. Honolulu, HI
> Average annual temp: 77.7°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 93
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 94
[in-text-ad]
4. Vero Beach, FL
> Average annual temp: 73.0°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 121
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 1
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
24/7 Wall St.
3. San Francisco, CA
> Average annual temp: 57.3°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 67
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
2. Santa Barbara, CA
> Average annual temp: 59.0°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 36
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 6
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Charleston, SC
> Average annual temp: 66.7°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 107
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 10
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
