For many Americans, particularly those looking for a place to retire, weather is a major role in the final decision. The ideal weather is, like many things, subjective — some people prefer the arctic winds, while other prefer heat and humidity. However, the vast majority of Americans would likely choose, given the option, weather that is not too hot or cold, not too wet or dry, and clear skies whenever possible.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association’s climate normals database, which calculates annual averages over the 30 year period from 1981 to 2010. To determine the cities with the best weather, we created an index of minimum, maximum, and average temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, wind, humidity, and more.
While many people would choose a warm climate over a freezing cold one, for many there are some climates that are just too hot. Cities like Phoenix, Arizona, where temperatures exceed 90°F about 170 days each year, are likely too hot for many people to live year-round.
We rewarded places with fewer rainy days per year, as most people prefer a precipitation-free, sunny day over rain or snow. We also penalized places that get too little precipitation, however, as an arid climate can hurt vegitation and lead to wildfires and water restrictions.
Click here to see the cities with the best weather.
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
25. Savannah, GA
> Average annual temp: 66.7°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 110
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 27
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 152
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Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images
24. Austin, TX
> Average annual temp: 69.3°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 84
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 18
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 136
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Source: LUNAMARINA / Getty Images
23. Fort Myers, FL
> Average annual temp: 75.1°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 112
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 1
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 99
Source: TraceRouda / Getty Images
22. Jacksonville, FL
> Average annual temp: 68.5°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 115
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 15
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 144
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Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
21. Del Rio, TX
> Average annual temp: 70.4°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 58
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 15
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 138
Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
20. Long Beach, CA
> Average annual temp: 64.7°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 34
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 1
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 87
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Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
19. San Diego, CA
> Average annual temp: 63.6°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 41
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 102
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
18. West Palm Beach, FL
> Average annual temp: 75.4°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 133
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 131
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
17. Tampa, FL
> Average annual temp: 73.4°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 106
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 2
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 121
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Source: ULora / Getty Images
16. Miami, FL
> Average annual temp: 77.2°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 133
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 115
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images
15. Corpus Christi, TX
> Average annual temp: 72.1°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 76
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 6
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 142
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Source: Billy Hathorn. / Wikimedia Commons
14. Victoria, TX
> Average annual temp: 70.2°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 90
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 10
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 162
Source: russmac / Getty Images
13. Walla Walla, WA
> Average annual temp: 53.5°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 107
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 70
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
Source: SWInsider / Getty Images
12. Brownsville, TX
> Average annual temp: 74.5°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 71
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 3
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 138
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Source: Arrangements-Photography / Getty Images
11. Daytona Beach, FL
> Average annual temp: 70.8°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 115
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 5
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 136
Source: 7Michael / Getty Images
10. Kahului, HI
> Average annual temp: 75.8°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 88
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 90
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Source: f11photo / Getty Images
9. Dallas, TX
> Average annual temp: 67.1°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 79
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 31
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
8. Gainesville, FL
> Average annual temp: 68.9°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 115
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 17
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
Source: GlowingEarth / Getty Images
7. Lihue, HI
> Average annual temp: 75.8°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 197
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 125
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Source: bethleblanc / Getty Images
6. Galveston, TX
> Average annual temp: 71.2°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 96
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 3
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
Source: Art Wager / Getty Images
5. Honolulu, HI
> Average annual temp: 77.7°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 93
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: 94
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Source: dosecreative / Getty Images
4. Vero Beach, FL
> Average annual temp: 73.0°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 121
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 1
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
3. San Francisco, CA
> Average annual temp: 57.3°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 67
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 0
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
2. Santa Barbara, CA
> Average annual temp: 59.0°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 36
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 6
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
1. Charleston, SC
> Average annual temp: 66.7°F
> Avg. days/year of rain: 107
> Avg. days/year below freezing: 10
> Avg. # of sunny days/year: N/A
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