Special Report

50 Hottest Cities in America

Krisana Sennok / Getty Images

At the tail end of spring and as we’re officially about to welcome summer, forecasts project temperatures are set to continue to rise. Many Americans will try to beat the heat with air conditioning, swimming pools, and cold drinks. Residents of certain cities face a much greater challenge than some others, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90 degrees, and in some cases even 100 degrees.

While warm and even hot weather can be enjoyable, extreme heat puts many — especially infants, young children, and the elderly — at risk of heat-related illnesses. The frequency of heat-related health issues, such as heat stroke and exhaustion, is directly related to how high temperatures are and the level of humidity. According to the Department of Homeland Security, extreme heat often results in a greater number of annual deaths than any other weather-related hazard.

24/7 Wall St. has identified the country’s 50 hottest cities based on the average number of 90-plus degree days per year using climate data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.

There are 50 large cities with populations of at least 10,000 where the temperature reaches at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 67 days in an average year.

Click here to see the 50 hottest cities in America.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

littleny / Getty Images

50. Miami, FL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 68
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 98.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.0 F
> Normal year-round high: 84.3 F

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RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

49. Amarillo, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 68
> Highest temp. on record (1947-2018): 111.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.4 F
> Normal year-round high: 70.9 F

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

48. Memphis, TN
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 68
> Highest temp. on record (1940-2018): 108.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.6 F
> Normal year-round high: 72.4 F

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

47. Tupelo, MS
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 70
> Highest temp. on record (1962-2018): 107.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.7 F
> Normal year-round high: 73.4 F

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Davel5957 / Getty Images

46. Oklahoma City, OK
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 71
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 113.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93.9 F
> Normal year-round high: 72.2 F

Ken Lund / Wikimedia Commons

45. Savannah, GA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 72
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 105.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.4 F
> Normal year-round high: 77.4 F

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Davel5957 / Getty Images

44. Tulsa, OK
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 73
> Highest temp. on record (1938-2018): 113.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93.5 F
> Normal year-round high: 71.7 F

SpVVK / Getty Images

43. Sacramento, CA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 74
> Highest temp. on record (1941-2018): 115.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 73.6 F

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

42. West Palm Beach, FL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 75
> Highest temp. on record (1938-2018): 101.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 90.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 82.9 F

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Sami99tr / Wikimedia Commons

41. New Orleans, LA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 75
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 102.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.2 F
> Normal year-round high: 78.2 F

Davel5957 / Getty Images

40. Little Rock, AR
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 75
> Highest temp. on record (1938-2018): 114.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.6 F
> Normal year-round high: 72.8 F

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images

39. Mobile, AL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 76
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 105.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 90.5 F
> Normal year-round high: 76.7 F

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

38. Columbus, GA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 78
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 106.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.2 F
> Normal year-round high: 76.2 F

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

37. Fort Smith, AR
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 78
> Highest temp. on record (1945-2018): 115.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93.4 F
> Normal year-round high: 72.8 F

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SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

36. Columbia, SC
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 79
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 109.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.7 F
> Normal year-round high: 75.4 F

Meinzahn / Getty Images

35. Lake Charles, LA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 80
> Highest temp. on record (1961-2018): 107.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.9 F
> Normal year-round high: 78.0 F

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TraceRouda / Getty Images

34. Jacksonville, FL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 82
> Highest temp. on record (1938-2018): 105.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.0 F
> Normal year-round high: 79.3 F

tntemerson / Getty Images

33. Stockton, CA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 83
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 115.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93.4 F
> Normal year-round high: 74.3 F

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

32. Jackson, MS
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 84
> Highest temp. on record (1963-2018): 107.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.5 F
> Normal year-round high: 75.5 F

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Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images

31. Lubbock, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 84
> Highest temp. on record (1947-2018): 114.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.8 F
> Normal year-round high: 74.3 F

benedek / Getty Images

30. Gainesville, FL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 85
> Highest temp. on record (1960-2018): 103.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 90.9 F
> Normal year-round high: 80.0 F

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

29. Meridian, MS
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 85
> Highest temp. on record (1944-2018): 107.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.8 F
> Normal year-round high: 75.8 F

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

28. Montgomery, AL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 85
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 106.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 76.5 F

CHBD / Getty Images

27. Tampa, FL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 87
> Highest temp. on record (1939-2018): 99.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 90.2 F
> Normal year-round high: 81.7 F

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

26. Port Arthur, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 87
> Highest temp. on record (1947-2018): 108.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.2 F
> Normal year-round high: 78.3 F

graphiknation / Getty Images

25. Baton Rouge, LA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 89
> Highest temp. on record (1930-2018): 105.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.5 F
> Normal year-round high: 78.9 F

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images

24. Tallahassee, FL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 91
> Highest temp. on record (1940-2018): 105.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 79.5 F

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

23. Shreveport, LA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 93
> Highest temp. on record (1939-2018): 109.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93.4 F
> Normal year-round high: 75.8 F

Artystyk386 / Wikimedia Commons

22. Orlando, FL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 98
> Highest temp. on record (1952-2018): 101.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.8 F
> Normal year-round high: 82.4 F

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LUNAMARINA / Getty Images

21. Fort Myers, FL
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 99
> Highest temp. on record (1892-2018): 103.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91.9 F
> Normal year-round high: 84.7 F

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

20. Roswell, NM
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 99
> Highest temp. on record (1949-2018): 114.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93.7 F
> Normal year-round high: 75.4 F

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

19. Abilene, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 101
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 110.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94.2 F
> Normal year-round high: 76.2 F

nthomas76207 / Wikimedia Commons

18. Dallas, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 103
> Highest temp. on record (1939-2018): 112.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: N/A
> Normal year-round high: 76.6 F

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

17. Houston, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 104
> Highest temp. on record (1969-2018): 109.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92.3 F
> Normal year-round high: 78.5 F

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Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States / Wikimedia Commons

16. Redding, CA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 105
> Highest temp. on record (1986-2018): 118.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94.9 F
> Normal year-round high: 72.1 F

VallarieE / Getty Images

15. El Paso, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 107
> Highest temp. on record (1938-2018): 114.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 95.5 F
> Normal year-round high: 77.4 F

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

14. Wichita Falls, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 107
> Highest temp. on record (1907-2018): 117.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 96.9 F
> Normal year-round high: 75.7 F

Davel5957 / Getty Images

13. Fresno, CA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 108
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 113.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 98.4 F
> Normal year-round high: 76.7 F

LPETTET / Getty Images

12. Bakersfield, CA
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 110
> Highest temp. on record (1937-2018): 115.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 97.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 76.8 F

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Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

11. Victoria, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 111
> Highest temp. on record (1953-2018): 111.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 95.0 F
> Normal year-round high: 80.7 F

Hundley_Photography / Getty Images

10. Waco, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 111
> Highest temp. on record (1941-2018): 114.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 96.8 F
> Normal year-round high: 77.8 F

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RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

9. Corpus Christi, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 112
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 109.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94.4 F
> Normal year-round high: 81.6 F

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

8. San Angelo, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 114
> Highest temp. on record (1907-2018): 111.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 95.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 78.2 F

NicolasMcComber / Getty Images

7. Austin, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 114
> Highest temp. on record (1938-2018): 112.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: N/A
> Normal year-round high: 79.7 F

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mobili / Flickr

6. San Antonio, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 116
> Highest temp. on record (1946-2018): 111.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 97.5 F
> Normal year-round high: 80.7 F

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

5. Brownsville, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 125
> Highest temp. on record (1898-2018): 106.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94.4 F
> Normal year-round high: 83.5 F

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M. Kaercher / Getty Images

4. Del Rio, TX
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 134
> Highest temp. on record (1951-2018): 112.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 97.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 81.6 F

f11photo / Getty Images

3. Las Vegas, NV
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 135
> Highest temp. on record (1948-2018): 117.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 104.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 79.6 F

dszc / Getty Images

2. Tucson, AZ
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 147
> Highest temp. on record (1946-2018): 117.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 100.2 F
> Normal year-round high: 82.9 F

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Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

1. Phoenix, AZ
> Days per year with 90 F+ temp.: 169
> Highest temp. on record (1933-2018): 122.0 F
> Normal mid-summer high: 106.1 F
> Normal year-round high: 86.6 F

Detailed Findings

The majority of these cities are located in the Southern states. Texas has the most cities on this list of hottest U.S. cities, with 16, followed by Florida with 8. Among the other hottest states in the country with numerous cities on our list are Louisiana and Mississippi.

Many of the hottest cities in America are also relatively dense and populous urban areas. As human-made creations such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure replace natural landscapes, temperatures often rise. The result is what is referred to as a “heat island.” In the evening, the temperature in an urban heat island can be as much as 22 degrees warmer than in nearby rural areas. This excess heat can contribute to cities having increasingly unpleasant weather.

Methodology

To determine the hottest cities in America, 24/7 Wall St. ranked 192 cities based on the average number of 90-plus degree days per year, using climate data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s 2018 Comparative Climatic Data report. In cases where multiple cities had the same amount of 90-plus degree days per year, the city with the higher average daily maximum temperature during its hottest month was given the higher rank. Only cities with populations of at least 10,000 were considered.

Averages for each city were calculated over varying periods, depending on when the city began keeping records.

The normal mid-summer high temperature is the 30-year average daily maximum temperature from the month with the highest average daily temperature for each city using data recorded between 1981 and 2010. The normal year round high temperature is the 30-year average daily maximum temperature from 1981 to 2010. Highest temperature on record refers to the highest temperature recorded at each city’s weather station, and this figure may differ from citywide or statewide figures. A full year’s data was not always available for the first year listed in each city’s range of recorded temperatures.

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