What Is "Good Weather"?
Weather preference is personal. Some people love a crisp New England fall. Others want year-round shorts weather. But when you average out what most Americans actually prefer, the answer is pretty consistent: mild temperatures (60 to 75 degrees), low precipitation, lots of sunshine, and no extreme weather events.
We ranked cities using MoveMap's climate data: average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and annual snowfall.
Best Weather Cities: The Data
1. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Avg temp: 63.6°F | Annual precip: 10.3 in | Annual snow: 0 in
San Diego wins best-weather polls every time, and the data backs it up. Barely 10 inches of annual rainfall, essentially no snow, and temperatures that rarely dip below 50°F or climb above 80°F. The ocean acts as the city's air conditioner. The tradeoff? Rent averages $2,200+.
2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Avg temp: 62.6°F | Annual precip: 12.8 in | Annual snow: 0 in
LA's climate is nearly as perfect as San Diego's. Slightly more precipitation, but the sunshine is relentless. The marine layer that rolls in mornings gives the coast a natural cooling effect. Inland areas like the San Fernando Valley run hotter in summer.
3. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Avg temp: 61.5°F | Annual precip: 14.9 in | Annual snow: 0 in
Silicon Valley's weather is legitimately excellent. The Bay Area's topography creates microclimates, and the South Bay generally avoids the fog that blankets San Francisco. If you can afford it, the weather alone justifies the cost premium for many residents.
4. Tucson, AZ
Avg temp: 57.2°F | Annual precip: 9.4 in | Annual snow: trace
The Sonoran Desert surprise. Tucson's annual precipitation is the lowest among major cities, and the city sits at 2,400 feet elevation, which means it dodges Phoenix's brutal summer highs. Winters are genuinely mild (January average: 53°F). The monsoon season from July to September brings dramatic afternoon thunderstorms.
5. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Avg temp: 75.6°F | Annual precip: 8.0 in | Annual snow: 0 in
The data shows Phoenix has the lowest precipitation of any major US city. If you love heat and sunshine, Phoenix is unmatched: 299+ sunny days per year. The catch is that summers are extreme (110°F+ days are common). If you can tolerate June through September, the other 8 months are spectacular.
Honorable Mentions
Albuquerque, NM : High desert climate at 5,300 ft elevation. Low humidity, 310 sunny days, and four mild seasons. Snow falls but melts fast. Rent is affordable.
Asheville, NC : Four true seasons without extremes. Summer highs in the 80s, winter lows rarely below 20°F. High elevation keeps humidity manageable. One of the most livable climates in the Southeast.
Charleston, SC : Mild winters, warm summers, low snow. The coast moderates temperature extremes. Humidity is the downside in July and August.
Sacramento, CA : Hotter than coastal California but drier. 265 sunny days. The delta breeze makes summer afternoons bearable. Far more affordable than the Bay Area.
The Weather vs. Cost Tradeoff
The best-weather cities on the coasts (San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose) are among the most expensive in the country. But the Sun Belt tells a different story:
| City | Avg Temp | Annual Precip | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 63.6°F | 10.3 in | $2,200+ |
| Tucson | 57.2°F | 9.4 in | $1,150 |
| Albuquerque | 56°F | 9.5 in | $1,100 |
| Phoenix | 75.6°F | 8.0 in | $1,600 |
Tucson and Albuquerque deliver near-San Diego weather at a third the cost.
What Weather Doesn't Show
Climate data doesn't capture air quality (Phoenix and LA have challenges), wildfire smoke (increasingly affects California and the Northwest), or flooding risk (coastal areas face rising insurance costs). For a complete picture of livability, weather is one factor among many.
Compare cities by weather → | See full city data → | Browse Southwest cities →
See the Data for Your City
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