You'd think Arizona wins. Most people do. You picture the red rocks of Sedona or the shimmering pavement in Phoenix and just assume it’s the king of the kiln. But honestly? Arizona isn't even in the top five.
When we talk about the hottest states in the US, the data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tells a much sweatier, stickier story. It turns out that "hottest" is a tricky word. Are we talking about the highest peak temperature ever recorded? The average heat across the whole year? Or that thick, soul-crushing humidity that makes 90 degrees feel like 110?
If you're looking at the average annual temperature—basically the "simmer" setting for the entire year—Florida actually takes the crown.
The Heavy Hitters: Florida and the Gulf Coast
Florida averages about 71.5°F across all 12 months. That sounds lovely until you realize that includes the "winter." In the summer, places like Miami and Key West don't just get hot; they stay hot. Unlike the desert, where the temperature plunges once the sun goes down, Florida’s humidity traps the heat. You step outside at 10 PM and it still feels like a warm, wet blanket is being wrapped around your face.
Louisiana and Texas are right behind. Louisiana is basically a giant swamp (I say that with love), and that water vapor makes the "feels like" temperature—the heat index—absolutely skyrocket. In 2025, we saw heat indices in New Orleans hitting 120°F. That’s not just uncomfortable; it’s actually dangerous.
Texas is its own beast because it’s so huge. East Texas is a humid jungle. West Texas is a parched furnace. When you average them out, Texas usually lands in the top three or four, but if you’re standing in Laredo in August, you won't care about the state average. You’ll just want an industrial-sized fan and a gallon of ice water.
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Why Arizona and Nevada "Lose" the Ranking
So, why does Arizona land at number 10 or 11 on most lists?
Elevation.
Places like Flagstaff are actually quite chilly. While Phoenix is melting, Flagstaff is sitting at 7,000 feet with pine trees and pleasant breezes. Since these rankings average the entire state, the high-altitude regions pull the score down.
Nevada has the same issue. It has some of the hottest single spots in the country (looking at you, Las Vegas and Laughlin), but the northern half of the state and the mountain ranges have legitimate winters.
The 2025 Temperature Shake-up
The last year was a bit of a weird one for weather nerds. According to the latest NOAA reports from early 2026, 2025 was the hottest year in nearly a century for several Western states.
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Utah, for instance, shattered a 91-year-old record. Its average temperature surged to 51.9°F. Now, 51.9°F doesn’t sound like a "hot" state, but for a place with snowy mountains, that’s a massive jump from the historical average.
We’re seeing a shift where the "hottest" states aren't just the ones near the equator. The Great Basin and the Northern Rockies are warming up faster than almost anywhere else in the Lower 48.
Humidity: The Silent Killer of Comfort
If you’ve ever heard someone say, "It’s a dry heat," they were probably trying to justify living in a place that’s 115 degrees. But they have a point.
- Dry Heat (Arizona/Nevada): Your sweat evaporates. This is your body’s cooling system working correctly. It feels like an oven, but you can find relief in the shade.
- Humid Heat (Florida/Mississippi/Alabama): Your sweat just sits there. It can't evaporate because the air is already full of water. You feel "heavy." Shade doesn't help because the air itself is warm and wet.
Mississippi and Alabama consistently rank as some of the most humid states, often keeping company with Hawaii. Speaking of Hawaii, it’s technically one of the warmest states because it never gets cold, but it also rarely gets "Texas hot." It just stays a perfect, humid 78 to 85 degrees forever.
Surviving the Swelter: Practical Steps
If you’re planning a move or a trip to one of the hottest states in the US, you need more than just sunscreen.
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Acclimatize slowly. Don't go for a five-mile run the day you land in Houston. Your body needs about two weeks to adjust its salt-to-water ratio to handle extreme heat.
Watch the Dew Point, not the Humidity. Relative humidity is a bit of a lie. A 90% humidity day in 40-degree weather feels fine. Look at the dew point. If the dew point is over 70, you’re going to be miserable. If it’s over 75, you’re in "oppressive" territory.
Upgrade your windows. If you live in these states, your AC is fighting a losing battle if your windows are old. Low-E glass or even just high-quality tinting can drop your indoor temp by several degrees without you touching the thermostat.
Moving forward, keep an eye on the regional shifts. The traditional "Sun Belt" is still the king of heat, but the "record-breaking" headlines are increasingly coming from the mountain west and the central plains. If you're moving to escape the heat, you might have to look much further north than you originally planned.
Check the latest local heat vulnerability maps if you're house hunting. Not all heat is created equal—a city "heat island" with lots of concrete will always be 5-10 degrees hotter than a suburban spot with a decent tree canopy just a few miles away.