Quick answer
The top 3 year-round warmth cities in 2026 are 1) San Antonio, 2) Houston, 3) Jacksonville. Hot and humid summers (similar to Houston, slightly less rain), mild winters, occasional ice storms.
Ranking · 2026
Best Cities for Warm Weather (2026)
If you want mild winters and long springs, these are the major US cities where it genuinely doesn't get cold. Ranked by balance of climate, cost, and job market — not just temperature.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
The Top 10
- 1
San Antonio, TX
$1,180/mo · None tax
Hot and humid summers (similar to Houston, slightly less rain), mild winters, occasional ice storms.
- 2
Houston, TX
$1,280/mo · None tax
Hot and humid year-round; summers brutal (95°F+, feels 105°F+); mild winters; hurricane risk June–Nov.
- 3
Jacksonville, FL
$1,280/mo · None tax
Subtropical: hot humid summers (June–October hurricane season), warm mild winters (60s°F).
- 4
Las Vegas, NV
$1,350/mo · None tax
Desert: mild Oct–Apr (60s–70s°F); extreme dry heat June–Aug (110°F+ peaks); under 4 inches rain per year.
- 5
Tallahassee, FL
$1,200/mo · None tax
Subtropical; slightly cooler than South Florida; winters 50-60°F, summers 86-88°F; rare hurricanes (panhandle position).
- 6
Orlando, FL
$1,580/mo · None tax
Subtropical: hot humid summers with daily afternoon thunderstorms; mild dry winters (60s°F).
- 7
Austin, TX
$1,650/mo · None tax
300+ sunny days; summers run 100–110°F for 60+ days June–September; mild short winters; ERCOT grid has blackout history in extreme weather.
- 8
Fort Worth, TX
$1,280/mo · None tax
Hot summers (similar to Dallas, 100°F+), mild winters with occasional ice storms, severe thunderstorm and tornado season in spring.
- 9
Tampa, FL
$1,680/mo · None tax
Subtropical: hot humid summers (June–Oct, lightning capital of the US); warm dry winters (60s–70s°F).
- 10
Dallas, TX
$1,450/mo · None tax
Hot summers (100°F+), mild winters with occasional ice storms, severe thunderstorm and tornado season in spring.
Methodology
We filtered to cities with sub-tropical, desert, or Mediterranean climates (based on the climate field). Then ranked by a score combining affordability (inverse of rent) and warm-weather tax benefit: Texas, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona cities get a bonus for combining warmth with no state income tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warmest major US city year-round?
Miami, FL is the warmest major US city with average winter lows of 60°F and summer highs near 90°F. Phoenix, AZ has the hottest summers (110°F+ June-September) but mild winters. Tampa, Orlando, San Antonio, Austin, and Las Vegas all have mild winters with highs rarely below 55°F.
Is it better to live in a warm city?
It depends on heat tolerance. Warm-winter cities (Miami, Tampa, Orlando, LA, San Diego) are pleasant year-round with active outdoor lifestyles. Desert cities (Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson) trade mild winters for brutal summers where outdoor time is limited June-September. Gulf Coast cities (Houston, New Orleans, Tampa) also have humidity that many find uncomfortable.
Which warm city has the lowest cost of living?
San Antonio, TX and Jacksonville, FL have the lowest major-metro costs among warm cities — 1BR rents under $1,250/month combined with no state income tax in both TX and FL. Tucson, AZ is also extremely affordable but has Arizona's 2.5% state income tax.
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