Hot weather can be a nice change of pace from the gloom of winter, and is often welcomed in particularly cold and rainy parts of the country. Many people look forward to the warmth and sunshine all year and even migrate to find it. Too much heat, though, can be a problem.
Unfortunately, temperatures just keep getting hotter. Both 2023 and 2024 were the hottest years in modern history, and 2025 just barely missed the mark. The heat is inescapable, too, as ocean temperatures (SSTs) also reached consecutive highs, only exacerbating the issue.
So, as the climate plays an increasingly large role in dictating where people live, we thought it would be helpful to break down the hottest states in the U.S. Whether you’re looking to escape the heat or become one with the sun, this list is for you.
The hottest states in the U.S.
How do we measure the hottest states?
For our purposes of determining the “hottest” states, this list measures a state’s average summer temperature. This way, we can account for states that see very hot summers but also have milder winters, instead of exclusively favoring tropical locations that are warm year-round. We also include a state’s average annual temperature, but don’t use it for ranking purposes.
An average summer temperature combines a state’s daily high and low temperatures from June-August and averages them into one number. An average annual temperature combines a state’s annual average daily high and low temperatures and averages them into one number.
The heat index (a “feels like” temperature) is also essential to keep in mind. Heat indices account for both air temperatures and relative humidity.
Note: It’s important to remember that our rankings account for the entire state, not just one city. You may think of a state as hot because a city in that state has a reputation for high temperatures (i.e. Palm Springs, Phoenix). However, other cities within that same state may experience much cooler weather, which brings the overall state average down.
What are the hottest states in the U.S.?
1. Texas
- Average summer temperature: 82.5°F
- Average annual temperature: 66.2°F
- Record highest temperature: 120°F (1936, 1994)
Full of diverse cultures, cities, and cuisines, Texas is the hottest state in the U.S. Texas is so hot largely because of its flat landscape, most notably the Gulf Coast in the south, Chihuahuan Desert to the west, and Great Plains throughout. With few significant changes in elevation, along with just one natural lake, most of the state surpasses 100°F during the summer months. And when heat waves arrive, very little blocks their path.
Unlike other southern states, Texas sees both warm winters in its tropical southern coast and extremely hot summers in its western desert. El Paso is the hottest city in Texas, but cities like Corpus Christi along the Gulf of Mexico often see much higher heat indexes.
Last year was the fourth-hottest year in Texas history, although temperatures paled in comparison to the record-breaking years of 2023 and 2024.
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2. Louisiana
- Average summer temperature: 82°F
- Average annual temperature: 67.5°F
- Record highest temperature: 114°F (1936)
Just east of Texas, Louisiana is the second-hottest state in the U.S. The state’s heat comes from its location on the Gulf of Mexico and near the equator, helping provide warm, humid air for most of the year. Heat domes, or prolonged pockets of high pressure, can lead to intense heat waves.
Importantly, the heat index plays a major role in Louisiana summers. For example, the northern regions of the state can easily reach 95-100°F, in cities like Ruston and Monroe, while areas along the coast rarely experience temperatures above 95°F. However, when accounting for humidity, the coast actually feels hotter much more frequently than inland.
Climate risks are a big concern for most of the state, especially along the coast. Strong storms often bring flooding to cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which sit at or below sea level.
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3. Florida
- Average summer temperature: 82°F
- Average annual temperature: 71.7°F
- Record highest temperature: 109°F (1931)
A state full of natural beauty, centuries of European history, and all the amenities you could want, Florida comes in as the third-hottest state in the U.S.
Florida has a humid subtropical climate and is by far the hottest state in the contiguous U.S. based on average annual temperatures. The tropical climate helps keep temperatures warm year-round, but never extremely hot. Heat indexes, however, can reach well over 110°F. 2025 was one of the hottest years on record for the state, featuring abnormally warm and dry weather that stretched for months on end.
Florida is unique because its climate is especially influenced by Atlantic Ocean temperatures, which reached record highs in 2024 and parts of 2025 (along with most other oceans). As the ocean heats up, so does the air, and extreme weather, including heat waves and hurricanes, becomes more common.
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4. Mississippi
- Average summer temperature: 80.3°F
- Average annual temperature: 64.6°F
- Record highest temperature: 115°F (1930)
A deep south state known for its musical roots, Civil Rights history, and namesake Delta, Mississippi is the fourth-hottest state in the U.S. The state gets most of its heat from the Gulf of Mexico—which, when combined with very high humidity, can make summers exceptionally hot. Temperatures are lovely during the winter, though, which is a fair trade off for many residents.
Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, generally coming in strong bursts. Jackson, Mississippi’s largest city, averages nearly 60 inches of rain per year.
If you’re considering moving to the Magnolia State, Mississippi is one of the cheapest states to buy a house in the U.S. Buying a home in Tupelo, for example, only costs $250,000. The state’s poverty rate is the highest in the nation outside of Puerto Rico, though.
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5. Oklahoma
- Average summer temperature: 80.3°F
- Average annual temperature: 60.7°F
- Record highest temperature: 120°F (1936)
Oklahoma sees big swings in temperatures from season to season, largely because of its location on the Great Plains – individual weather systems generally dictate the climate. In fact, if measured during any other season, Oklahoma wouldn’t make this list.
In general, Oklahoma’s winters are cool and mild, while summers are quite hot and humid. Summers are hot due to southerly winds bringing hot, dry air from Texas and the Gulf of Mexico, which flow uninterrupted over Oklahoma’s relatively flat landscape. Large temperature and humidity swings can produce extreme weather, too, especially tornadoes and thunderstorms. The western Panhandle is the coldest region in Oklahoma.
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6. Georgia
- Average summer temperature: 79.5°F
- Average annual temperature: 64.5°F
- Record highest temperature: 112°F (1952, 1983)
Georgia comes in at number six on our list of the hottest states in the U.S. Georgia is known for its beautifully-varied landscapes, from coastal plains around the city of Savannah to the rolling hills in Atlanta. You’ll also find amenities ranging from professional sports and massive aquariums, to historic museums and great restaurants.
Georgia’s climate is defined by the hot Gulf Mexico and cooling Appalachian Mountains, so the state sees all four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are mild and can be cold in the northeast, including some snow. Winter freezes are rare, but summer can bring heat waves and thunderstorms. Storms along the Atlantic coast are not uncommon.
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7. Arizona
- Average summer temperature: 79.5°F
- Average annual temperature: 61.4°F
- Record highest temperature: 128°F (1994)
A notoriously dry, hot state, Arizona is the seventh-hottest state in the U.S. The summer of 2024 was by far the hottest in Arizona history, with temperatures 4.8°F above average. Yuma is the hottest city in the state, as well as the sunniest city in the world.
Arizona ranks so high primarily because of the extreme summer heat common in the rapidly warming Sonoran desert, where most of the state’s population lives. However, the northern half of the state is relatively mild during the summer, especially on the highest peaks of the Colorado Plateau, which helps bring average temperatures down. Flagstaff, for example, has an average July high temperature of 82.3°F, compared to 107.7°F in Phoenix.
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8. South Carolina
- Average summer temperature: 79.4°F
- Average annual temperature: 63.6°F
- Record highest temperature: 113°F (2012)
South Carolina is known for its southern hospitality, historic towns, pristine beaches, and warm, sunny weather. Homes are pretty affordable in many cities, too, like Columbia ($265,000) and Myrtle Beach ($342,000). Warm weather, affordable homes, and plenty of amenities is an appealing offer, and people are taking advantage of it. South Carolina has grown faster than any other state for the last two years straight.
South Carolina’s climate varies widely depending on where you live: The Blue Mountains in the northwest are much cooler than the warm, humid Lowcountry, for example. Plenty of rain falls year-round.
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9. Alabama
- Average summer temperature: 79.4°F
- Average annual temperature: 63.9°F
- Record highest temperature: 112°F (1925)
Alabama comes in at number nine on our list. Home to the largest space museum in the world, pivotal Civil Rights landmarks, renowned barbecue and seafood restaurants, and a distinctly southern feel, there’s a lot to love. Birmingham and Mobile are Alabama’s largest cities.
Similar to most southeastern states, Alabama’s climate is generally warm and humid. Summers are quite hot, especially when accounting for humidity. Additionally, the state’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Appalachian Mountains influences weather patterns, which can often turn turbulent. Tornadoes and hurricanes are both major risks near the coast, while bursts of heavy rainfall are common year-round.
The hottest temperature recorded in Alabama was 112°F in Centreville, located in the flat upper coastal plain. Tuscaloosa is the state’s hottest city on average.
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10. Arkansas
- Average summer temperature: 79.3°F
- Average annual temperature: 61.4°F
- Record highest temperature: 120°F (1936)
Arkansas rounds out our list of the hottest states in the U.S. Similar to most other southern states, Arkansas’ climate is dictated by the Gulf of Mexico, which usually provides a consistent stream of warm, humid air.
Even so, the state sees all four seasons and can experience extreme heat and bitter cold. Ice storms generally occur at least once per year, while heat waves are a common occurrence during the summers. The state’s topography—hills in the west and flat plains throughout the rest—allows weather systems to roll in unimpeded.
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Methodology
Data comes from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and its parent administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Average summer temperatures are a three-month average based on data from June-August 1996-2025. Average annual temperatures are a twelve-month average based on data from 1996-2025. Record-high temperature data found here. Housing data is as of January 2026.
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