Sizzling climate could be a good change of tempo from the gloom of winter, and is commonly welcomed in notably chilly and wet components of the nation. Many individuals stay up for the heat and sunshine all 12 months and even migrate to search out it. An excessive amount of warmth, although, could be a downside.
Sadly, temperatures simply hold getting hotter. Each 2023 and 2024 have been the most popular years in fashionable historical past, and 2025 simply barely missed the mark. The warmth is inescapable, too, as ocean temperatures (SSTs) additionally reached consecutive highs, solely exacerbating the difficulty.
So, because the local weather performs an more and more giant function in dictating the place individuals stay, we thought it will be useful to interrupt down the most popular states within the U.S. Whether or not you’re trying to escape the warmth or change into one with the solar, this checklist is for you.
The most well liked states within the U.S.
Texas
Louisiana
Florida
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Georgia
Arizona
South Carolina
Alabama
Arkansas
How can we measure the most popular states?
For our functions of figuring out the “hottest” states, this checklist measures a state’s common summer time temperature. This manner, we will account for states that see very popular summers but additionally have milder winters, as a substitute of completely favoring tropical places which are heat year-round. We additionally embody a state’s common annual temperature, however don’t use it for rating functions.
A median summer time temperature combines a state’s every day excessive and low temperatures from June-August and averages them into one quantity. A median annual temperature combines a state’s annual common every day excessive and low temperatures and averages them into one quantity.
The warmth index (a “feels like” temperature) can also be important to bear in mind. Warmth indices account for each air temperatures and relative humidity.
Observe: It’s essential to do not forget that our rankings account for your entire state, not only one metropolis. You could consider a state as sizzling as a result of a metropolis in that state has a fame for top temperatures (i.e. Palm Springs, Phoenix). Nevertheless, different cities inside that very same state might expertise a lot cooler climate, which brings the general state common down.
What are the most popular states within the U.S.?
1. Texas
Common summer time temperature: 82.5°F
Common annual temperature: 66.2°F
Document highest temperature: 120°F (1936, 1994)
Filled with numerous cultures, cities, and cuisines, Texas is the most popular state within the U.S. Texas is so sizzling largely due to its flat panorama, most notably the Gulf Coast within the south, Chihuahuan Desert to the west, and Nice Plains all through. With few vital modifications in elevation, together with only one pure lake, many of the state surpasses 100°F in the course of the summer time months. And when warmth waves arrive, little or no blocks their path.
In contrast to different southern states, Texas sees each heat winters in its tropical southern coast and very sizzling summers in its western desert. El Paso is the most popular metropolis in Texas, however cities like Corpus Christi alongside the Gulf of Mexico usually see a lot larger warmth indexes.
Final 12 months was the fourth-hottest 12 months in Texas historical past, though temperatures paled compared to the record-breaking years of 2023 and 2024.
Texas properties on the market | Texas homes for lease | Texas residences for lease
2. Louisiana
Common summer time temperature: 82°F
Common annual temperature: 67.5°F
Document highest temperature: 114°F (1936)
Simply east of Texas, Louisiana is the second-hottest state within the U.S. The state’s warmth comes from its location on the Gulf of Mexico and close to the equator, serving to present heat, humid air for many of the 12 months. Warmth domes, or extended pockets of excessive strain, can result in intense warmth waves.
Importantly, the warmth index performs a serious function in Louisiana summers. For instance, the northern areas of the state can simply attain 95-100°F, in cities like Ruston and Monroe, whereas areas alongside the coast hardly ever expertise temperatures above 95°F. Nevertheless, when accounting for humidity, the coast truly feels hotter way more steadily than inland.
Local weather dangers are an enormous concern for many of the state, particularly alongside the coast. Robust storms usually carry flooding to cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which sit at or beneath sea degree.
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3. Florida
Common summer time temperature: 82°F
Common annual temperature: 71.7°F
Document highest temperature: 109°F (1931)
A state stuffed with pure magnificence, centuries of European historical past, and all of the facilities you may need, Florida is available in because the third-hottest state within the U.S.
Florida has a moist subtropical local weather and is by far the most popular state within the contiguous U.S. primarily based on common annual temperatures. The tropical local weather helps hold temperatures heat year-round, however by no means extraordinarily sizzling. Warmth indexes, nevertheless, can attain nicely over 110°F. 2025 was one of many hottest years on file for the state, that includes abnormally heat and dry climate that stretched for months on finish.
Florida is exclusive as a result of its local weather is very influenced by Atlantic Ocean temperatures, which reached file highs in 2024 and components of 2025 (together with most different oceans). Because the ocean heats up, so does the air, and excessive climate, together with warmth waves and hurricanes, turns into extra frequent.
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4. Mississippi
Common summer time temperature: 80.3°F
Common annual temperature: 64.6°F
Document highest temperature: 115°F (1930)
A deep south state recognized for its musical roots, Civil Rights historical past, and namesake Delta, Mississippi is the fourth-hottest state within the U.S. The state will get most of its warmth from the Gulf of Mexico—which, when mixed with very excessive humidity, could make summers exceptionally sizzling. Temperatures are beautiful in the course of the winter, although, which is a good commerce off for a lot of residents.
Rainfall is pretty evenly distributed all year long, typically coming in robust bursts. Jackson, Mississippi’s largest metropolis, averages practically 60 inches of rain per 12 months.
Should you’re contemplating transferring to the Magnolia State, Mississippi is likely one of the most cost-effective states to purchase a home within the U.S. Shopping for a house in Tupelo, for instance, solely prices $250,000. The state’s poverty price is the very best within the nation exterior of Puerto Rico, although.
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5. Oklahoma
Common summer time temperature: 80.3°F
Common annual temperature: 60.7°F
Document highest temperature: 120°F (1936)
Oklahoma sees huge swings in temperatures from season to season, largely due to its location on the Nice Plains – particular person climate methods typically dictate the local weather. In truth, if measured throughout some other season, Oklahoma wouldn’t make this checklist.
Normally, Oklahoma’s winters are cool and gentle, whereas summers are fairly sizzling and humid. Summers are sizzling as a result of southerly winds bringing sizzling, dry air from Texas and the Gulf of Mexico, which movement uninterrupted over Oklahoma’s comparatively flat panorama. Giant temperature and humidity swings can produce excessive climate, too, particularly tornadoes and thunderstorms. The western Panhandle is the coldest area in Oklahoma.
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6. Georgia
Common summer time temperature: 79.5°F
Common annual temperature: 64.5°F
Document highest temperature: 112°F (1952, 1983)
Georgia is available in at quantity six on our checklist of the most popular states within the U.S. Georgia is thought for its beautifully-varied landscapes, from coastal plains across the metropolis of Savannah to the rolling hills in Atlanta. You’ll additionally discover facilities starting from skilled sports activities and large aquariums, to historic museums and nice eating places.
Georgia’s local weather is outlined by the recent Gulf Mexico and cooling Appalachian Mountains, so the state sees all 4 seasons. Summers are sizzling and humid, whereas winters are gentle and could be chilly within the northeast, together with some snow. Winter freezes are uncommon, however summer time can carry warmth waves and thunderstorms. Storms alongside the Atlantic coast usually are not unusual.
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7. Arizona
Common summer time temperature: 79.5°F
Common annual temperature: 61.4°F
Document highest temperature: 128°F (1994)
A notoriously dry, sizzling state, Arizona is the seventh-hottest state within the U.S. The summer time of 2024 was by far the most popular in Arizona historical past, with temperatures 4.8°F above common. Yuma is the most popular metropolis within the state, in addition to the sunniest metropolis on the earth.
Arizona ranks so excessive primarily due to the intense summer time warmth frequent within the quickly warming Sonoran desert, the place many of the state’s inhabitants lives. Nevertheless, the northern half of the state is comparatively gentle in the course of the summer time, particularly on the very best peaks of the Colorado Plateau, which helps carry common temperatures down. Flagstaff, for instance, has a mean July excessive temperature of 82.3°F, in comparison with 107.7°F in Phoenix.
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8. South Carolina
Common summer time temperature: 79.4°F
Common annual temperature: 63.6°F
Document highest temperature: 113°F (2012)
South Carolina is thought for its southern hospitality, historic cities, pristine seashores, and heat, sunny climate. Properties are fairly inexpensive in lots of cities, too, like Columbia ($265,000) and Myrtle Seashore ($342,000). Heat climate, inexpensive properties, and loads of facilities is an interesting supply, and persons are benefiting from it. South Carolina has grown quicker than some other state for the final two years straight.
South Carolina’s local weather varies broadly relying on the place you reside: The Blue Mountains within the northwest are a lot cooler than the nice and cozy, humid Lowcountry, for instance. Loads of rain falls year-round.
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9. Alabama
Common summer time temperature: 79.4°F
Common annual temperature: 63.9°F
Document highest temperature: 112°F (1925)
Alabama is available in at quantity 9 on our checklist. Residence to the biggest house museum on the earth, pivotal Civil Rights landmarks, famend barbecue and seafood eating places, and a distinctly southern really feel, there’s rather a lot to like. Birmingham and Cell are Alabama’s largest cities.
Just like most southeastern states, Alabama’s local weather is usually heat and humid. Summers are fairly sizzling, particularly when accounting for humidity. Moreover, the state’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Appalachian Mountains influences climate patterns, which may usually flip turbulent. Tornadoes and hurricanes are each main dangers close to the coast, whereas bursts of heavy rainfall are frequent year-round.
The most well liked temperature recorded in Alabama was 112°F in Centreville, situated within the flat higher coastal plain. Tuscaloosa is the state’s hottest metropolis on common.
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10. Arkansas
Common summer time temperature: 79.3°F
Common annual temperature: 61.4°F
Document highest temperature: 120°F (1936)
Arkansas rounds out our checklist of the most popular states within the U.S. Just like most different southern states, Arkansas’ local weather is dictated by the Gulf of Mexico, which normally supplies a constant stream of heat, humid air.
Even so, the state sees all 4 seasons and may expertise excessive warmth and bitter chilly. Ice storms typically happen at the least as soon as per 12 months, whereas warmth waves are a standard prevalence in the course of the summers. The state’s topography—hills within the west and flat plains all through the remaining—permits climate methods to roll in unimpeded.
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Methodology
Information comes from the Nationwide Facilities for Environmental Info (NCEI) and its father or mother administration, the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Common summer time temperatures are a three-month common primarily based on information from June-August 1996-2025. Common annual temperatures are a twelve-month common primarily based on information from 1996-2025. Document-high temperature information discovered right here. Housing information is as of January 2026.
