So, you’re tired of scraping ice off your windshield at six in the morning. Honestly, who isn't? When people start looking for warm states in the United States, they usually have this vision of a palm tree and a constant 75-degree breeze. But the reality of the American Sun Belt is way more complicated than a postcard. Some of these places are "dry heat" that feels like a literal oven, while others have humidity so thick you feel like you’re breathing through a warm, wet rag.
It’s not just about the thermometer reading.
Take Arizona. In July, Phoenix hits $110^\circ F$ like clockwork. That’s hot. But then you’ve got Florida, where it might only be $92^\circ F$, but the humidity makes your shirt stick to your back the second you walk out the door. Choosing where to live or vacation depends entirely on how your body handles moisture and how much you value seeing the sun 300 days a year.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the "warmest" state title usually bounces between Florida and Hawaii depending on whether you value average annual temperature or peak summer highs. Most people don't realize that Texas actually has some of the most drastic temperature swings in the country, despite being a staple of the South.
Why Florida Isn't Always the Winner
Everyone looks at Florida first. It makes sense. It’s the Sunshine State. But if you're hunting for warm states in the United States, you have to look at the "Heat Index." Florida’s average annual temperature stays high because it almost never gets truly cold in the southern half. Even in January, Miami averages a high of $76^\circ F$. That’s incredible for a snowbird.
However, the summer is a different beast entirely. Between June and September, the afternoon thunderstorms are a guarantee. The moisture evaporates off the pavement, creating a sauna effect. You aren't just warm; you're damp.
The Gulf Coast Alternative
Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana often get ignored in these conversations, which is a mistake. They are incredibly warm. Places like Biloxi or New Orleans stay mild through the winter. The trade-off is the hurricane season. If you move to these warm states for the weather, you’re also signing up for the anxiety of a tropical depression forming in the Gulf every August. It's a package deal.
The Desert South West: Dry Heat is Real
If you hate sweat, Arizona and Nevada are your best bets. There is a scientific reason people say "but it's a dry heat." In low humidity, your sweat actually evaporates, which is your body’s natural cooling system working as intended. In a humid place, that sweat just sits there.
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Phoenix is the heavyweight champion of heat. In 2023, the city saw a record-breaking streak of 31 consecutive days with temperatures at or above $110^\circ F$. That’s not just warm; that’s a climate challenge. But—and this is the part people love—the winters are perfect. You can wear shorts on Christmas. You can hike Camelback Mountain in February without breaking a sweat.
- Arizona: Best for consistent sun and bone-dry air.
- Nevada: Las Vegas is essentially a giant heat sink, but the nights cool down faster than in the humid South.
- New Mexico: A bit of a wildcard because of the elevation. Santa Fe gets snow, but Las Cruces stays toasted.
California is Actually Three Different Climates
People think "California" and think Baywatch. The truth is that California’s warmth is highly localized. If you are in San Francisco, you might be shivering in a parka in July because of the marine layer. If you drive two hours inland to Sacramento or Redding, it’s $105^\circ F$.
Southern California is the "Goldilocks" zone. San Diego has arguably the best weather in the world. It stays between $60^\circ F$ and $80^\circ F$ almost year-round. It’s expensive, sure, but you’re paying a "sunshine tax." The Mediterranean climate there is rare—only about 3% of the world has it. It’s a dry summer and a mild, slightly wet winter.
Central Valley Scorching
Don't sleep on the Central Valley if you just want heat. Fresno and Bakersfield are consistently some of the warmest spots in the country during the summer. It’s a different vibe than the coast—more agricultural, more dust, and much higher temperatures.
Texas: The Massive Heat Engine
Texas is too big to categorize easily. You’ve got the humid heat of Houston, which feels like Florida’s cousin, and the dry, high-desert heat of El Paso. Austin and Dallas sit somewhere in the middle.
Texas heat is aggressive. It starts in May and doesn't really let up until October. The state also deals with the "urban heat island" effect. Because cities like Dallas are so sprawling with concrete and asphalt, they hold onto heat long after the sun goes down.
- Houston: High humidity, coastal breezes, mosquito territory.
- San Antonio: Hot, dry-ish, but prone to massive flash floods when it finally does rain.
- El Paso: High altitude desert heat. It's hot during the day but can actually get chilly at night.
The Surprising Warmth of Georgia and South Carolina
When we talk about warm states in the United States, we usually stop at the border of Florida. That’s a mistake. Georgia and South Carolina have become massive hubs for people fleeing the cold. Savannah and Charleston offer a specific kind of Lowcountry warmth that is heavy on charm and heavy on humidity.
The winters here are short. You might get a week or two of "real" winter where you need a heavy coat, but for the most part, it’s light jacket weather. The spring arrives in February. By March, the azaleas are out and it's $70^\circ F$.
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Hawaii: The True Outlier
Hawaii is the only state in the union that is truly tropical. It doesn't have "seasons" in the way the mainland does. It has a wet season and a dry season. The temperature in Honolulu rarely drops below $65^\circ F$ or rises above $90^\circ F$. It is the definition of consistent.
The "warmth" here is tempered by the trade winds. Without those winds, Hawaii would be unbearable. But because the breeze is almost constant, the $85^\circ F$ days feel like paradise. It’s the most expensive warm state, but arguably the most comfortable for the human body.
Common Misconceptions About Moving South
A lot of people move to these warm states thinking they will spend all their time outside. Then August hits.
What actually happens is the "Reverse Winter." In the North, people stay inside during January because it's too cold. In the deepest parts of the Sun Belt, people stay inside during August because it's too hot. You go from your air-conditioned house to your air-conditioned car to your air-conditioned office.
You also have to consider the "infrastructure of heat."
- Energy Bills: Your AC will run 24/7. In states like Arizona or Texas, electricity bills in the summer can easily top $400 for a modest home.
- Pests: Heat means bugs don't die off in the winter. Termites, cockroaches (palmetto bugs), and mosquitoes are a year-round reality.
- Sun Damage: Your car's paint will peel, and your dashboard will crack if you don't use a sunshade.
Making the Move: Actionable Steps
If you are seriously looking at warm states in the United States for a relocation or a long-term stay, don't just look at a map. You need to look at the "Dew Point."
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Check the Dew Point, Not the Temp
A temperature of $90^\circ F$ with a dew point of 50 is comfortable. That same $90^\circ F$ with a dew point of 75 is miserable. Use sites like WeatherSpark to compare the "mugginess" of cities before you commit.
Visit in the "Worst" Month
Never move to a warm state based on a visit in March. Go to Phoenix in July. Go to New Orleans in August. If you can handle the heat at its absolute worst, you’ll love the rest of the year. If you find yourself crying in a CVS parking lot because the steering wheel burned your hands, maybe stick to the Carolinas.
Consider Elevation
If you want warmth but hate extreme heat, look for "High Desert" or mountain-adjacent areas. Places like Prescott, Arizona, or parts of the California foothills offer plenty of sun but are 10 degrees cooler than the valleys because of the altitude.
Audit Your Wardrobe and Health
Warm states require a different lifestyle. If you have respiratory issues, the high humidity of the Southeast might be tough, whereas the dry air of the Southwest might bother your sinuses. Talk to a doctor if you have chronic conditions like asthma before picking a climate.
The move to a warmer climate is usually a net positive for mental health—vitamin D is a powerful thing—but it requires a shift in expectations. You aren't escaping "weather"; you're just trading one extreme for another. Pick the extreme you can live with.