Top 7 Sunniest Cities in the US to Move to

While winters have their own charm, they also come with a host of unwarranted problems and winter blues. For many other reasons, a large number of people prefer summers. Now that’s not only because of the ample vitamin D supply and golden tanned skin, but also because it reminds one of the oceans, summer camps, chilled lemonade, and summer dresses.

A large number of people travel to the southern, south-eastern, and south-western states in the country during summers to enjoy the lovely and magnificent sun. Also termed as the ‘Sun Belt’ of the United States, 17 states fall here, some of which include Louisiana, California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Carolina, and New Mexico.

But, people don’t just travel to these states, they also relocate here since the quality of life, economic opportunities, and education in these states are some of the best you’ll find. If you’re not a winter person and you believe moving to a sunnier place is better for you, we’ve given you a list of the sunniest cities in the US that you can consider moving to.

1. Yuma, Arizona

It doesn’t come as a shock that the state of Arizona is at the top of the list here, since it has one of the highest temperatures and sunny days. Yuma in Arizona, also labeled as the “Sunniest City on Earth”, sees 242 sunny days and around 4000 sunshine hours annually. This means that 68% of the time from sunrise to sunset is graced by sunlight. You’d be shocked to know that there have been years where this percentage has even gone up to 90%! While summers can be scorching hot, winters don’t receive snowfall and are warm. You must note that living in Yuma is not for the weak-hearted, since summer temperatures are always above 80.1°F (26.7°C) and have sometimes gone past 100°F (37.8°C).

A big highlight of living in Yuma is the suburban feel it gives its residents since it’s a small city with all kinds of urban amenities. If swimming in the Colorado River, running through the enticing dunes or hiking through the splendid landscape appeals to you, then Yuma might just be a city you’ll grow to love. Another plus of living in Yuma is the cost of living, which is far lower than the national average. Not only will living in Yuma go easy on your wallet, but you can also think of investing in a retirement home here since it’s affordable and has a great community!

Median price of homes for sale in Yuma: $179,600
Median rent per month in Yuma: $685

2. Phoenix, Arizona

Another Arizonian city, Phoenix witnesses 211 sunny days annually with 10 to 14 hours of sunlight in a day. This practically means that if you choose to move to Phoenix, you’ll be basking in the sun’s glory for the majority of the time. Since summer is the dominant season all year round, like most places in Arizona, Phoenix has a desert-like climate. Summers can become exceedingly hot for some people, with temperatures going up to 105.8°F (41°C) on peak days. On the other hand, temperatures during winter fall to an average low of 39.2°F (4°C). But, there’s a glorious catch for those of you who dislike winters – the sun shines bright in the sky for around 8 hours in a day!

It comes as no surprise then that Phoenix is nicknamed the ‘Valley of the Sun’. It has also become the fifth most populous city in the U.S thanks to the many advantages that come with living here. Even though Phoenix is the capital of the state, the cost of living is reasonable and rent prices are low as compared to the national average. Other highlights include great cultural diversity, sparse traffic, and accessibility to big cities. Wait, there’s more – Phoenix also has a growing job market for young professionals with a scope for recreational activities like hiking and golfing.

Median price of homes for sale in Phoenix: $290,594
Median rent per month in Phoenix: $1,020

See also: Moving to Phoenix AZ

Did you know? The state of Alaska receives the least amount of sunshine year after year. Within the state, the city of Cold Bay stands first with only 10 days of sunshine annually!

3. Las Vegas, Nevada

Apart from the nightlife and casinos that Las Vegas is always associated with, it is also known for a high number of sunny days. Las Vegas in Nevada experiences 210 sunny days with around 3825 hours of sun annually. Similarly, the climate here is subtropical and desert-like which is arid in nature. During the peak of the summer season, you’ll notice that the temperature can go as high as 105°F (40.6°C). On the other hand, this falls drastically in the winters going as low as 38°F (3.3°C), so bear in mind that you will witness both extremes.

If you like being outdoors there is a lot to do in Las Vegas apart from the obvious. What’s best about living in the city though is that the state of Nevada does not levy any income tax, so you can save some money there. Even though crime rates in the city are high due to it being frolicked by tourists all year round, residential neighborhoods are quite safe. Since it’s so busy a city, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, so keep that in mind. But talking of the positives of living in Las Vegas, a number of national parks are close by, it has a great airport and the cost of living is considerably lower than many other major states. And, don’t forget the sunshine!

Median price of homes for sale in Las Vegas: $320,000
Median rent per month in Las Vegas: $1,000

See also: Moving to Las Vegas

4. Bishop, California

We were all waiting for the state of California to make an appearance on the list since it’s also fondly called ‘The Sunshine State’, and here it is! Bishop in California experiences the most number of sunny days in the state – 201 days annually. If you’re someone who needs daylight to function efficiently, Bishop could become your saving grace, since it experiences 15 hours of daylight in a day during summers! Even during winters, daylight hours don’t go lower than 9 hours a day, so you can spend as much time as you want outdoors. Average temperatures during summer can go as high as 97.7°F (36.5°C) and can fall to 21.7°F (-5.7°C) in the winter months.

If you plan to move to Bishop, you can expect to have many perks, the biggest would be living in its scenic beauty. We don’t have enough words to describe the exhilaration you’d feel living in Bishop if you’re someone who loves being outside. From hiking, climbing, and fishing to spending time in its many parks, Bishop is as suburban as a city can get. You will also be close to some classic cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara! You must note though that the cost of living here is higher than the national average, but, it’s lower than other major cities in California.

Median price of homes for sale in Bishop: $399,500
Median rent per month in Bishop: $1,350

Did you know? A report published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018 showed that an average of 702 people die in the United States every year due to extreme heat. 37% of this number were residents of California, Arizona, and Texas!

5. Fresno, California

Another Californian city, Fresno experiences 194 sunny days annually. Daylight hours here also range between 8 to 14 hours, so you have another city to add to your list. When it comes to Fresno’s climate, both the summers and winters have manageable climatic conditions. While summers are torrid, they aren’t unbearable with peak temperatures touching 98.4°F (36.9°C). On the other hand, temperatures during the winter months can fall to 38.3°F (3.5°C), with January receiving the most rainfall.

Quite a laidback city if you ask us, Fresno lies in the heart of California, which means that you have access to the state’s other major cities, beaches, and gorgeous national parks. We can also assure you that living in this dainty city comes with the feeling of living in a lush town, since the community is friendly and hosts multiple events and local farmer’s markets through the months. Fresno’s also a great place to raise a family, with numerous top-rated schools, high schools, parks, and low cost of living. At the same time, Fresno also comes 5th in California in terms of population which has been gradually increasing. Now standing at 542,012, you can be definite about one thing – people are migrating to this culturally diverse city in large numbers.

Median price of homes for sale in Fresno: $299,900
Median rent per month in Fresno: $1,100

6. El Paso, Texas

From all the various states in Texas, El Paso is the sunniest city with an average of 193 sunny days annually. Daylight can range from 10 to 14 hours in a day, so there is scope for many outdoor activities. Unlike most cities that we’ve listed, El Paso’s climate is dry with hot summers and winters that are cold and short. Let’s get into the details – average summer temperatures stand at 97°F (36.11°C). On the other hand, average temperatures during the winter can even reach a low of 34°F (1.11°C).

While Texan summers have the reputation of being brutal, as we’ve seen, El Paso begs to differ. One of Texas’s biggest cities, El Paso surprisingly has a low cost of living with low real estate prices as compared to other Texas cities. Since it’s a major city, some other highlights include great transportation systems, a lower crime rate, numerous parks, and recreational facilities, and a thriving job market. We guarantee that you will fall in love with the city’s landscape and the wide variety of Mexican cuisine.

Median price of homes for sale in El Paso: $196,500
Median rent per month in El Paso: $708

7. Sacramento, California

Last on our list is one of California’s favorite cities – Sacramento, which has 188 sunny days annually. Speaking of the climate generally, the summers are hot but manageable, while the winters are mild with occasional rainfall in some parts. Sacramento has pretty great weather if you ask us, since the average temperature during the summer doesn’t exceed 100 °F (38 °C). Let’s not forget the mild sea breeze also termed as “delta breeze” that blows through the day. Similarly, in winters, the average temperature is around 50 °F (10 °C), so you can say that the temperatures here aren’t extreme.

The city of Sacramento is also California’s capital with ample job opportunities, cheap food, lush greenery, and a friendly atmosphere, making it the place to be. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the city’s population has been steadily rising. One thing you can look forward to is the accessibility that Sacramento has to locations like The Bay Area, Golden Gate Bridge, Lake Tahoe, and the gorgeous Napa wineries which are just hours away. If you’re looking to raise a family, you are in luck, because Sacramento has some great schools and opportunities for recreational activities like hiking and boating. If you compare Sacramento’s cost of living to other big cities in the state, living here is fairly affordable.

Median price of homes for sale in Sacramento: $395,000
Median rent per month in Sacramento: $1,395

Which is the sunniest city on earth?

Yuma in Arizona has broken the Guinness World Record for being the sunniest city on Earth with around 4,015 hours of sunshine annually.

Is it true that Alaska is dark for 6 months?

Not really. Only the Northern point which has the city of Barrow stays dark completely for 2 months of the year. On the other hand, during the months of May to July, the sun doesn’t set in this city.

Which state has the best year round weather?

California comes first in terms of year round climatic conditions. Within the state, Los Angeles is the top contender with warm summers, clear skies, no snow, and hardly any rain! Other cities in the state where you can experience this gorgeous climate are Santa Barbara, Long Beach, Santa Maria, and San Diego.

Conclusion

We all have our own preferences when it comes to the weather, and while some of us prefer the sun, the vast expanse of land in the country means that all states have different weather patterns. The weather has a large impact on our moods and dispositions affecting our motivation levels and quality of life. As a result, most people relocate to the southern states for the sunny skies and the sunshine, which are big mood boosters.

When choosing where to live, the weather is just one factor that comes into play. It’s important that you look at other additional factors like the cost of living, lifestyle, crime rates, and accessibility while you make this decision.

See also: Most Outdoorsy Cities in America

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Top 7 Sunniest Cities in The US to Move to