Sunniest Places in America: Winter weather has already arrived in many parts of the U.S. and is heading to other areas soon. If the gray skies and cold weather are bringing you down, it might be a good idea to consider a move to sunnier places.
Redfin recently looked at U.S. cities with populations over 100,000 and found the ones that enjoy the most sunshine each year. They focused on cities where the sky is mostly clear, with less than one-eighth of the sky covered by clouds on the most days.
10 Sunniest Places in America
10. Stockton, California
Number of sunny days this city gets: 184 per year
Estimated population of this city: 320,000 as of 2023
Despite being a sunny place, Stockton gets 17 inches of rain annually, which is a higher total than falls in many cities on this list. Most of that precipitation comes in a few bursts during the winter.
9. Los Angeles
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 186 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 3.8 million as of 2023
Los Angeles is known for its amazing weather, with plenty of warm, sunny days. On the other hand, destructive wildfires can be started by Santa Ana winds that originate in the desert.
8. Sacramento, California
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 188 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 526,000 as of 2023
Sacramento’s warm and sunny weather is ideal for outdoor fun. You can enjoy the California State Fair in July or visit one of the area’s wineries year-round.
Plus, Sacramento is more affordable compared to other parts of California, which is why it’s featured in the list of “7 of the Best Places for Retiring in California.”
7. Bakersfield, California
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 191 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 413,000 as of 2023
The weather in Bakersfield, which is about an hour distant from Los Angeles, is typically bright and pleasant, although the Central Valley region can also get extremely hot. On July 28, 1908, the city recorded its hottest temperature ever, which was 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. El Paso, Texas
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 193 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 679,000 as of 2023
El Paso is known as “Sun City” because of its bright sky. But throughout the winter, maximum temperatures frequently fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
The community near the Mexican border made our list of “12 of the Best Places to Retire in Texas” in part because of its moderate winters.
5. Tucson, Arizona
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 193 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 547,000 as of 2023
Tucson’s sunny and warm weather makes it a perfect spot for outdoor activities all year round. You can start by exploring the beautiful Saguaro National Park or the scenic Coronado National Forest.
4. Fresno, California
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 194 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 546,000 as of 2023
Fresno’s hottest month is July, and the city, located in California’s Central Valley, enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year. However, it tends to receive the most rainfall in January.
3. Las Vegas
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 210 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 661,000 as of 2023
Las Vegas is typically sunny and warm, with 2024 bringing record-breaking summer heat. However, the weather can change quickly, and during the city’s short winter, temperatures can drop significantly, sometimes even falling below freezing.
2. Phoenix
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 211 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 1.7 million as of 2023
Phoenix is perfect for sunshine lovers, but be prepared for the Arizona heat. This past summer, the city set a record with 113 consecutive days of temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
1. Yuma, Arizona
- Number of sunny days this city gets: 242 per year
- Estimated population of this city: 101,000 as of 2023
Yuma is often called the “sunniest city on Earth.” The sun shines for 91% of the daylight hours here, and the city receives only about 3 inches of rain each year.
