When it comes to finding the perfect place to live, weather plays a huge role; after all, no one wants to be stuck inside for half the year. While some are drawn to crisp cold or daily drizzle, most prefer warm, sunny weather for most of the year – a preference backed up by research.
A mild Mediterranean climate, a hallmark of the Southern California coast, often produces the most pleasant weather year-round (and it shows). That’s a major reason why Mediterranean countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece are renowned for their climates.
Meanwhile, Sun Belt cities like Phoenix, Tampa, and Austin have drawn homebuyers in recent years with their sunny winters and lower housing costs. However, scorching summers and severe storms can be major drawbacks.
So, which U.S. cities have the best weather? In this Redfin article, we’ll rank the top cities with a population of at least 50,000 with the most pleasant climates year-round. Hint: they’re all in California.
We ranked cities based on a range of climate factors, favoring cities with comfortable temperatures, limited seasonal change, low humidity, and year-round sunshine.
As it turned out, every city on the list was situated on the California coast between San Francisco and San Diego – a region long known for its near-perfect weather.
The list focuses on monthly and annual averages over many years to gain a more complete picture of each city’s climate. However, all cities on our list have experienced extreme weather, such as heat waves and heavy storms. As the climate changes, make sure to research weather extremes and how a city is adapting before making the move.
Top 10 cities with the best weather in the U.S.
- Oxnard, CA
- Carlsbad, CA
- Oceanside, CA
- Irvine, CA
- San Clemente, CA
- Santa Monica, CA
- Huntington Beach, CA
- Thousand Oaks, CA
- Salinas, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
1. Oxnard, California
- Summer high/low: 71.6°F – 60.7°F