Best Places to Live Based on Weather: The Top 12 U.S. Cities and Suburbs

Tired of shoveling snow, sweating through triple-digit summers, or both? You’re not alone. When people search for the best places to live based on weather, they usually want the same thing: more days they can comfortably spend outside and fewer days stuck inside dealing with extreme cold, heat, or storms.

To find them, we analyzed NOAA climate data for 343 U.S. cities with 100,000 or more residents. We counted the days with comfortable temperatures, the days that get too hot, and the days that dip to freezing. Then we factored in crime and climate risk to come up with a list of places with great climates that also are places you’d want to live. 

So, if you’re ready to toss your snow shovels, put your umbrella away, or ditch the cooling towels, you may want to consider a move to one of these top 12 best places to live in the U.S., based on weather.

The 12 best major cities to live in based on weather

Southern California dominates on weather alone, but once crime and climate risk count, cities such as El Paso, New York and Boston earn a spot, and the best suburbs combine mild weather with violent crime rates far below those of big cities.

City	Comfortable days per year	Days at 90°F+	Days with lows at or below 32°F	Violent crime per 100K	Property crime per 100K
1. San Diego, CA	362	16	0	372	1,539
2. Los Angeles, CA	365	5	0	668	2,236
3. San Jose, CA	258	16	3	503	2,372
4. San Francisco, CA	167	3	0	486	2,932
5. Mesa, AZ	148	173	1	420	1,290
6. New York, NY	159	17	67	657	2,273
7. Sacramento, CA	140	90	4	718	2,254
8. El Paso, TX	95	117	42	287	1,327
9. Boston, MA	150	14	92	582	1,908
10. Austin, TX	147	123	12	418	3,066
11. Las Vegas, NV	112	136	11	407	2,402
12. Portland, OR	170	15	32	695	5,037

1. San Diego, California

San Diego takes the top spot because its weather barely changes. About 362 of 365 days fall in our comfortable range (highs of 65 to 85°F with lows of 45°F or warmer), only 16 days reach 90°F or higher, and freezing nights are close to nonexistent. Violent crime runs 372 per 100,000 residents, just under the 381 median for large U.S. cities, and property crime (1,539 per 100,000) is well below the 1,885 median. The catch is climate risk: San Diego County sits in the 91st percentile for FEMA’s expected-loss rate, a measure that weighs hazards such as earthquakes and wildfires. The median home price in San Diego is $795,000 as of September 2026.

Life in San Diego revolves around the coast and a laid-back, outdoorsy culture. Surfers and beachgoers head to Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and La Jolla, while Balboa Park (home to the San Diego Zoo and a cluster of museums) anchors the city’s culture. Downtown, Little Italy, and North Park are the most walkable neighborhoods, with plenty of restaurants and craft breweries. The Trolley covers parts of the city, but most residents rely on a car.

2. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is the most consistent major city on this list: 365 of 365 days land in the comfortable range, with just 5 days at 90°F or higher at the coastal weather station we used, no freezing nights, and rain on about 38 days a year. Violent crime (668 per 100,000) is in line with the 669 median for cities of 500,000 or more, and property crime (2,236) is below that group’s 2,937 median. Like the rest of California, though, it scores high on FEMA’s expected-loss rate (89th percentile). The median home price in Los Angeles is $1.05M as of September 2026.

Los Angeles is really a collection of neighborhoods, from the beach-town feel of Venice to the nightlife of Hollywood, the food scene of Koreatown and the arts and restaurants of Silver Lake and Downtown. Griffith Park and its observatory offer city views and miles of hiking, and the Getty Center and LACMA cover the museum side. Metro buses and rail are expanding, but driving is still the default outside a handful of walkable areas.

3. San Jose, California

San Jose offers 258 comfortable days a year, 16 days at 90°F or higher and only about 3 nights at or below freezing. Violent crime (503 per 100,000) and property crime (2,372) are both below the medians for cities of 500,000 or more (669 and 2,937). Again, climate risk is the trade-off, at the 92nd percentile for FEMA’s expected-loss rate. The median home price in San Jose is $1.1M as of September 2026.

As the largest city in Silicon Valley, San Jose is shaped by the tech industry, but it has plenty of character beyond it. Santana Row is the go-to for shopping and dining, Downtown has theaters, museums and The Tech Interactive, and Japantown is among the few historic ones left in the country. Willow Glen is a popular, village-like neighborhood. Light rail, Caltrain, and BART service on the northeast side help, though most people drive, and hiking in nearby Almaden and Alum Rock is a short trip away.

4. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is for people who want mild, not hot. It logs just 3 days at 90°F or higher, no days with lows at or below freezing, and rain on about 71 days a year. Its 167 comfortable days are fewer than the Southern California cities because many days run cooler than our comfortable range. Violent crime is 486 per 100,000, and property crime (2,932) is about the same as the 2,937 median for cities of 500,000 or more. The median home price in San Francisco is $1.2M as of September 2026.

San Francisco packs a lot into a small, hilly footprint and is one of the country’s most walkable cities. Residents split their time among neighborhoods like the Mission, Hayes Valley, North Beach, and the Marina, with famous sights such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the cable cars close by. Muni buses, light rail, and BART make it easy to live without a car. Golden Gate Park and the Presidio give you green space, and Marin’s trails are just across the bridge.

5. Mesa, Arizona

Mesa, in the Phoenix area, wins on winters: freezing nights are rare (fewer than one a year), and there are about 33 days of rain or snow. The flip side is summer, with 173 days a year at 90°F or higher, so this one is most suitable for those who can handle the heat. Violent crime is 420 per 100,000 and property crime is 1,290, both below the medians for cities of 500,000 or more, and climate risk sits below the national middle at the 39th percentile. The average home price in Mesa is $485,945 as of September 2026.

Mesa is a big, suburban-feeling city in the Phoenix area, known for family-friendly neighborhoods and master-planned communities such as Eastmark. Downtown Mesa has the Mesa Arts Center and a growing restaurant scene, and the Cubs hold spring training here. Hiking in the Superstition Mountains, Usery Mountain Regional Park, and tubing on the Salt River are the main outdoor draws. Light rail reaches downtown, but most of the city is car-dependent.

6. New York, New York

New York earns its spot with moderate summers, with only 17 days a year at 90°F or higher, and very low climate risk (2nd percentile for FEMA’s expected-loss rate, based on Kings County). Winters are real, with about 67 days a year at or below freezing and roughly 30 inches of snow. Violent crime (657 per 100,000) is just under the 669 median for cities of 500,000 or more, and property crime (2,273) is well below that group’s 2,937 median. The average home price in New York is $1.2M as of September 2026.

No other U.S. city is easier to live in without a car than NYC. The subway runs around the clock, and walking gets you most places. Beyond the big names (Central Park, Broadway, the Met, MoMA), daily life happens in neighborhoods such as Park Slope, Williamsburg, Astoria, and Harlem, each with its own food, bars, and parks. Prospect Park, Hudson River Park, and the Rockaway beaches offer outdoor escapes. The pace is fast, and the culture is one of the most varied anywhere. For a solid “some hot days, some cold days, and lots of mild days” climate, New York City is your answer.

7. Sacramento, California

Sacramento has 140 comfortable days a year and only about 4 freezing nights, but summers are hot, with 90 days at 90°F or higher. Rain falls on about 61 days a year. Violent crime is 718 per 100,000, above the 669 median for cities of 500,000 or more, while property crime (2,254) is below that group’s median. Climate risk is below the national middle, at the 29th percentile. The average home price in Sacramento is $538,000 as of September 2026.

California’s capital is more relaxed than the big coastal cities. Midtown and Downtown are the most walkable areas, with restaurants that reflect the city’s “farm-to-fork” branding, and Old Sacramento and the California State Railroad Museum add history. The American River Parkway offers miles of bike and walking trails, and Lake Tahoe, wine country, and San Francisco are each within a couple of hours. Light rail and buses serve the core, but cars are still the norm.

8. El Paso, Texas

El Paso is here for safety and low climate risk more than perfect weather. It has the fewest comfortable days (95) of the 12 on our list, with 117 days at 90°F or higher and 42 days with lows at or below freezing. But its violent crime rate (287 per 100,000) is the lowest of the 12 and below the 381 median for all large cities, property crime is 1,327, and its climate risk is among the lowest (6th percentile), so it’s well worth a look. The average home price in El Paso is $305,580 as of September 2026.

El Paso sits where Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico meet, and the border culture shows up in everything from the food to the language to the music. Franklin Mountains State Park, one of the largest urban wilderness parks in the country, gives residents hiking and biking inside the city. Downtown has a minor-league ballpark, and neighborhoods such as Kern Place and Sunset Heights have older homes and local cafes. Sun Metro buses run across the city, though driving is the norm.

9. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the cold-weather pick on this list, so it won’t be for everyone: about 92 days a year have lows at or below freezing and the city averages roughly 49 inches of snow. What puts it in the top 12 is mild summers (just 14 days at 90°F or higher), very low climate risk (2nd percentile for FEMA’s expected-loss rate) and crime that sits below the medians for cities of 500,000 or more (582 violent and 1,908 property crimes per 100,000). The average home price in Boston is $1.09M as of September 2026.

Boston is compact, historic, and easy to get around on foot or by the “T.” The Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, and the Harvard and MIT campuses across the river give it a mix of history and big-college energy. Popular neighborhoods include Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the North End (known for Italian food), the South End, and Jamaica Plain. The Charles River Esplanade, Boston Common, and the Harbor Islands offer outdoor space, and sports are a major part of local culture.

10. Austin, Texas

Austin gives you 147 comfortable days and only about 12 freezing nights, but summers are long, with 123 days a year at 90°F or higher. Violent crime (418 per 100,000) is below the 669 median for cities of 500,000 or more, though property crime (3,066) is above that group’s 2,937 median. Climate risk is low, at the 21st percentile. The average home price in Austin is $529,000 as of September 2026.

Austin bills itself as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and the live-music scene, along with festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits, is a big part of daily life. Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, and the Lady Bird Lake trail are the go-to outdoor spots, while South Congress, East Austin, and Hyde Park are popular for food and shopping. The city is also a major tech hub. Public transit exists but is limited, so most residents drive.

11. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the driest city on the list, with rain on only about 23 days a year. Summers are intense (136 days at 90°F or higher) and winters are mild, with about 11 nights at or below freezing. Crime figures (407 violent and 2,402 property crimes per 100,000) come from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which covers an area larger than the city itself. Climate risk is low, at the 18th percentile. The average home price in Las Vegas is $489,900 as of September 2026.

Beyond the Strip, Las Vegas has a quieter, more residential side. Summerlin is a popular master-planned community, and the Downtown Arts District has galleries, bars and restaurants. Locals escape to Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, and Mount Charleston for hiking, climbing, and boating. The city also has pro sports, with the Raiders and the Golden Knights. Buses and a monorail serve the main tourist corridor, but most daily life requires a car.

12. Portland, Oregon

Portland has mild summers (about 15 days at 90°F or higher) and 170 comfortable days, but it is also the rainiest city here, with precipitation on about 157 days a year, and about 32 days a year with lows at or below freezing. Crime is its weak spot: violent crime is 695 per 100,000 and property crime is 5,037, the highest of the 12 and well above the 2,937 median for cities of 500,000 or more. The average home price in Portland is $529,900 as of September 2026.

Portland is known for its food carts, craft beer, independent shops (including Powell’s City of Books), and an easygoing, creative culture. Popular neighborhoods include the Pearl District, Alberta Arts, and Hawthorne. Forest Park, one of the country’s largest urban forests, and the Rose and Japanese gardens in Washington Park are in the city, while the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and the Oregon coast are within about two hours. MAX light rail, buses, and bike lanes make car-free living realistic.

The best suburbs to live in based on weather

Want great weather without the downtown price of admission? Many buyers are looking for more space, quieter streets, and lower crime outside city centers.

If the markets in our list sound great except for the fact that they’re bustling cities, we found the top suburbs with the best weather, too. They include Thousand Oaks, CA, Georgetown, TX, Gilbert, AZ, and more.

For a full breakdown of suburbs, check out our article on the best suburbs with good weather.

Frequently asked questions

What U.S. city has the best weather?

Among major cities, San Diego and Los Angeles lead, with 362 and 365 comfortable days a year. Across all 343 cities we analyzed, Southern California suburbs such as Torrance, Oxnard, and Thousand Oaks score highest on weather alone, with Los Angeles the top-scoring large city.

Which major cities never get freezing weather?

San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have virtually no days with lows at or below 32°F, and Mesa, Arizona averages fewer than one.

Which of these cities gets the least rain?

Las Vegas is the driest, with precipitation on about 23 days a year, followed by Mesa (33) and Los Angeles (38). Portland is the rainiest, at about 157 days.

Why do some cities with cold winters make the list?

The ranking weighs more than winter temperatures. It combines weather with crime and climate risk, and cities such as New York and Boston do well on mild summers, low climate risk and crime rates below those of other large cities.

Does this ranking include home prices?

No. We ranked on weather, crime, and climate risk, without factoring in home cost, though we did include it for easy access as you compare markets. Housing costs vary widely by neighborhood, so check current listings on Movoto before you decide.

Methodology

We analyzed 343 U.S. cities with 100,000 or more residents, matching each to its nearest NOAA weather station and using the agency’s 1991–2020 climate normals. Weather made up most of each city’s score: how many days a year fall in a comfortable range (highs of 65 to 85°F, lows of 45°F or warmer), plus days at 90°F or higher, days with freezing temperatures, and rainy days. We then factored in violent and property crime from the FBI’s 2025 Crime in the United States report, along with natural-hazard risk from FEMA’s National Risk Index, which is assigned by county. Cities were ranked on this combined score, weighted roughly 70 percent weather, 18 percent crime and 12 percent climate risk. Population figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The major-city list covers cities with 500,000 or more residents. The suburb list covers smaller cities in the metro area of a larger city, with violent and property crime both below the median of all cities we analyzed and no more than three per state. A few limits apply: climate normals are 30-year averages, weather is measured at the nearest station rather than city hall, some crime figures cover a wider area than the city itself (such as Las Vegas), and the FBI notes limited 2025 reporting for Florida. Humidity, sunshine and home prices were not included.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, FBI, Crime in the United States 2025, Table 8: Offenses Known to Law Enforcement by State by City (Crime Data Explorer), FEMA, National Risk Index, county-level data, U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places, 2020 to 2025, U.S. Census Bureau, Gazetteer Files (places and counties), Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Declining Immigration Undermines Urban and Rural Population Growth

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