Are you craving some vitamin D or searching for a change of surroundings? Nicely, you’re not alone. An increasing number of individuals want to transfer to sunnier cities all through the nation. The truth is, sunny, comparatively reasonably priced metro areas have been a few of the hottest migration locations over the previous few years.
The Solar Belt area of the U.S. has really been widespread for effectively over 60 years, and plenty of cities have seen important growth. Folks have lengthy been interested in new financial alternatives, rising communities, and lovely climate.
So, when you’re contemplating shifting to a sunnier metropolis however aren’t certain which one to decide on, we’re right here to assist. We’ve compiled a listing of the sunniest cities within the U.S., so you’ll be able to transfer with confidence. Learn on to be taught extra and uncover if one in all these sunny cities is best for you.
What’s sunny climate?
Earlier than diving into the sunniest cities, let’s outline what sunny climate means. Sunniness is split into three classes: sunny (or clear if in a single day), principally sunny/cloudy, and partly sunny/cloudy.
Sunny: lower than 1/eighth of the sky is roofed with clouds
Largely sunny: 1/8-2/8ths of the sky is roofed with clouds
Partly sunny: 3/8-5/8ths of the sky is roofed with clouds
This listing of cities focuses on the primary class, sunny. Hold studying to see our rating of the sunniest cities with over 100,000 residents based mostly on their annual variety of sunny days.
What are the sunniest cities within the U.S.?
1. Yuma, Arizona
242 sunny days per 12 months
Formally the sunniest metropolis on the planet, Yuma, AZ, receives over 4,000 daylight hours per 12 months. It’s additionally one of many hottest cities within the U.S., and experiences extraordinarily low humidity year-round.
In the course of the summer season months, the town averages greater than 13 hours of daylight per day, primarily as a consequence of its location within the scorching Sonoran Desert. Nonetheless, the desert local weather results in sweltering summers; temperatures are sometimes within the 110-degree vary all through July and August.
That hasn’t slowed the town’s progress, although. Up to now 50 years, Yuma’s inhabitants has grown by greater than 150,000.
You should utilize these sunny days to reap the benefits of all of the out of doors actions the town has to supply. From rafting on the Colorado River to exploring the close by Imperial Sand Dunes, there’s one thing for everybody in Yuma. On the town, you’ll be able to see the historic metropolis middle or go to one of many many native boutiques. And simply exterior of city, you’ll be able to see farms stretching for miles in each course, producing 90% of the U.S. and Canada’s lettuce through the winter.
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2. Phoenix, Arizona
211 sunny days per 12 months
Situated in central Arizona, the state’s capital can also be one of many sunniest within the nation. All of the solar results in loads of warmth, nevertheless, as the world averages effectively over 100 days within the triple digits yearly. Just lately, in 2024, Phoenix noticed a record-smashing 113 days with temperatures above 100°F, 70 days above 110°F, and 21-straight record-hot days in October.
The insufferable warmth hasn’t deterred individuals from shifting there, although – its inhabitants grew by over 200,000 between 2010 and 2020, the quickest by a significant metropolis. It was additionally a prime relocation vacation spot simply after the pandemic.
There are tons of causes to maneuver to Phoenix. Town is understood for its attractive landscapes, cacti, mountaineering, and quite a few resorts. There may be additionally loads to do within the space, from strolling at Papago Park to mountaineering up Piestewa Peak. And when you’re a sports activities fan, the town is residence to skilled hockey, soccer, basketball, and baseball groups. After an extended day trip, seize a chunk within the Melrose District for a tasty deal with.
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3. Las Vegas, Nevada
210 sunny days per 12 months
Lovingly referred to as Sin Metropolis, Las Vegas, NV, is an leisure paradise filled with luxurious accommodations, casinos, tremendous eating, and wild adventures. Town is positioned within the dry Mojave Desert and receives lots of sunshine, wind, and little or no rain. Much like Phoenix, Las Vegas noticed a summer season of record-breaking warmth that stretched deep into October.
It’s nonetheless seen main inhabitants progress prior to now decade, although, largely as a consequence of its sunshine and affordability.
There are many out of doors actions to expertise round Las Vegas, together with journey excursions, mountain biking, ziplining, and mountain climbing. Should you’re searching for one thing extra relaxed, search for one of many many spas, golf programs, museums, aquariums, and parks. The climate is mostly heat year-round, so there’s all the time one thing to do exterior.
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4. Fresno, California
194 sunny days per 12 months
Sitting within the coronary heart of California’s fertile Central Valley, Fresno, CA, is understood for its agriculture, orchards, and historical past. It additionally has all of the out of doors actions you may need. Town is conveniently positioned only a few hours from the coast and three nationwide parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.
Whereas Fresno is usually sunny through the spring and summer season, mornings through the fall and winter are typically stuffed with a thick fog referred to as “tule fog.” This climate sample, endemic to the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys (each a part of the bigger Central Valley), helps regulate temperatures however can result in low visibility. In the course of the summer season, temperatures are heat, and the skies are typically clear.
Fresno is an adventurer’s haven, that includes quite a few parks, lakes, trails, and actions simply exterior the town. Due to its proximity to Central Valley farms, native delicacies and produce is legendary and some extent of satisfaction amongst locals. Plus, there are many neighborhoods and suburbs with comparatively reasonably priced properties.
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5. Tucson, Arizona
193 sunny days per 12 months
Tucson is a scorching, sunny, desert metropolis with wondrous out of doors recreation, UNESCO-certified delicacies, vigorous school athletics, and loads of historical past. The truth is, Tucson is such a outstanding metropolis that Redfin named it the perfect place to dwell in Arizona in 2024. Summer season warmth might be insufferable at instances, however due to the town’s elevation, it’s typically about 5 levels cooler and a bit wetter than Phoenix to the north.
Tucson is especially identified for its neighborhood, which you’ll see first hand at annual occasions just like the Tucson Gem and Mineral Present and Tucson Rodeo. One of many prime bike excursions within the nation, El Tour de Tucson, can also be held within the space.
Frankly, getting exterior and experiencing the distinctive desert panorama, whether or not it’s at Saguaro Nationwide Park or Catalina State Park, is a pleasure. Or, simply stroll the historic streets and cease for a chunk to eat at an area restaurant. You may see every little thing the character within the area has to supply on the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
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6. El Paso, Texas
193 sunny days per 12 months
Situated inside the Chihuahuan Desert on the southwestern fringe of Texas, El Paso is understood for its novice sports activities, pure splendor, and heat, dry local weather. Whereas it’s typically sunny year-round, summers are the wettest time of the 12 months as a result of North American monsoon. Due to its inclusion within the Paso del Norte (Borderplex) and its proximity to Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, it’s a largely bilingual and binational metropolis.
El Paso isn’t an remoted desert city, both. Loads of close by cities present various locations to dwell and discover, like Horizon Metropolis and Canutillo.
Should you’re wanting to take in the solar within the Move of the North, there’s quite a bit to do, from touring native vineyards and museums, to spending time with associates at water parks and zoos. Town can also be located on the Rio Grande, which provides quite a few points of interest and vistas, and White Sands Nationwide Park. Seventeenth-century Spanish mission buildings are native landmarks that also maintain non secular providers.
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7. Bakersfield, California
191 sunny days per 12 months
Simply an hour from Los Angeles, and located in the midst of one of many largest agricultural producing areas on the planet, Bakersfield, CA, is a dry, sunny metropolis.
The world receives most of its rain through the winter, and sees sunny and scorching summers. However in contrast to different Central Valley cities, Bakersfield sees solely gentle fog through the winter. Whereas Bakersfield is understood for agricultural manufacturing, its oil, pure fuel, and different extraction industries are a few of the largest within the nation.
There’s quite a bit to do in Bakersfield, from visiting the Kern County Museum and Bakersfield Museum of Artwork, to strolling alongside the Kern River. Bakersfield additionally has a well-known music scene, notably its distinctive Bakersfield Sound nation music style. Different actions across the metropolis embrace exploring close by farms, consuming the native delicacies at dozens of eating places, or procuring within the Vintage District.
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8. Sacramento, California
188 sunny days per 12 months
House to free weekly summer season concert events, the world’s largest almond processing plant, gold-rush period points of interest, and native wineries, Sacramento, CA, is a enjoyable and sunny place to be. It’s additionally a hub for glorious native delicacies, railroad historical past, politics, and out of doors journey.
The area will get most of its rain through the foggy fall and winter months, whereas it’s normally dry through the summer season. Temperatures can even get fairly scorching.
Because the capital of California, Sacramento is residence to loads of points of interest and issues to do. Together with nice meals and music, you’ll be able to discover Folsom Lake and Stone Lakes Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. And simply exterior the town, the California State Truthful provides a conventional however vigorous honest expertise. For one thing a bit much less stimulating, contemplate seeing the Tower Bridge or strolling alongside the American River Parkway.
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9. Los Angeles, California
186 sunny days per 12 months
Los Angeles, CA, is a worldwide hub for trend, leisure, finance, expertise, and journey. Well-known for being the house of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and quite a few different iconic locales, the second-largest metropolis within the U.S. can also be one of many sunniest.
Due to its monumental city sprawl, temperatures can fluctuate broadly all through the town (from the coast to additional inland), though it’s typically heat and dry year-round. Add in a few of the calmest winds within the nation (1.9 mph common) and it’s no marvel individuals come for the climate.
There are many issues to do round L.A. You may catch the dawn from Griffith Park, snap pictures of the Hollywood signal, tour one in all many well-known museums, head to Venice Seaside for an off-the-cuff stroll alongside the coast, go to Disneyland, or eat at any variety of high quality eating places. Dwelling within the metropolis is dear, although, which has pushed many residents out.
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10. Stockton, California
184 sunny days per 12 months
A metropolis stocked vigorous, Stockton, CA, is understood for its eating places, museums, parks, and well-known nature middle. Situated within the Sacramento Valley, it’s simply an hour from each the capital and coast, making for handy journeys into a big metropolis.
Stockton receives most of its gloomy climate and rain within the winter, whereas summers are scorching, sunny, and dry. The huge California Delta flows via the town, offering water to most of Central and Southern California by way of massive pumps which are solely a brief drive from the town middle.
Should you’re searching for out of doors actions, you’ll be able to go to the Haggin Museum, take a stroll downtown, or drive a number of hours to the Sierra Nevada mountains, the place hikes, lakes, and exquisite climate are plentiful.
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Methodology
This listing incorporates annual sunshine information for main cities with over 100,000 residents. Comparative Climatic Information was obtained from a 2020 overview by the Nationwide Facilities for Environmental Data (NCEI) and its father or mother administration, the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Daylight was solely measured throughout sunlight hours.
