Are you craving some vitamin D or looking for a change of scenery? Well, you’re not alone. More and more people are looking to move to sunnier cities throughout the country. In fact, sunny, relatively affordable metro areas have been some of the most popular migration destinations over the last few years.
The Sun Belt region of the U.S. has actually been popular for well over 60 years, and many cities have seen significant development. People have long been attracted to new economic opportunities, growing communities, and gorgeous weather.
So, if you’re considering moving to a sunnier city but aren’t sure which one to choose, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of the sunniest cities in the U.S., so you can move with confidence. Read on to learn more and discover if one of these sunny cities is right for you.
What is sunny weather?
Before diving into the sunniest cities, let’s define what sunny weather means. Sunniness is divided into three categories: sunny (or clear if overnight), mostly sunny/cloudy, and partly sunny/cloudy.
Sunny: less than 1/8th of the sky is covered with clouds
Mostly sunny: 1/8-2/8ths of the sky is covered with clouds
Partly sunny: 3/8-5/8ths of the sky is covered with clouds
This list of cities focuses on the first category, sunny. Keep reading to see our ranking of the sunniest cities with over 100,000 residents based on their annual number of sunny days.
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During the summer months, the city averages more than 13 hours of sunlight per day, mainly due to its location in the hot Sonoran Desert. However, the desert climate leads to sweltering summers; temperatures are typically in the 110-degree range throughout July and August.
That hasn’t slowed the city’s growth, though. In the past 50 years, Yuma’s population has grown by more than 150,000.
You can use those sunny days to take advantage of all the outdoor activities the city has to offer. From rafting on the Colorado River to exploring the nearby Imperial Sand Dunes, there’s something for everyone in Yuma. In town, you can see the historic city center or visit one of the many local boutiques. And just outside of town, you can see farms stretching for miles in every direction, producing 90% of the U.S. and Canada’s lettuce during the winter.
Located in central Arizona, the state’s capital is also one of the sunniest in the country. All the sun leads to plenty of heat, however, as the area averages well over 100 days in the triple digits annually. Recently, in 2024, Phoenix saw a record-smashing 113 days with temperatures above 100°F, 70 days above 110°F, and 21-straight record-hot days in October.
The unbearable heat hasn’t deterred people from moving there, though – its population grew by over 200,000 between 2010 and 2020, the fastest by a major city. It was also a top relocation destination just after the pandemic.
There are tons of reasons to move to Phoenix. The city is known for its gorgeous landscapes, cacti, hiking, and numerous resorts. There is also plenty to do in the area, from walking at Papago Park to hiking up Piestewa Peak. And if you’re a sports fan, the city is home to professional hockey, football, basketball, and baseball teams. After a long day out, grab a bite in the Melrose District for a tasty treat.
Lovingly known as Sin City, Las Vegas, NV, is an entertainment paradise full of luxurious hotels, casinos, fine dining, and wild adventures. The city is located in the dry Mojave Desert and receives a lot of sunshine, wind, and very little rain. Similar to Phoenix, Las Vegas saw a summer of record-breaking heat that stretched deep into October.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to experience around Las Vegas, including adventure tours, mountain biking, ziplining, and rock climbing. If you’re looking for something more relaxed, look for one of the many spas, golf courses, museums, aquariums, and parks. The weather is generally warm year-round, so there is always something to do outside.
Sitting in the heart of California’s fertile Central Valley, Fresno, CA, is known for its agriculture, orchards, and history. It also has all the outdoor activities you could want. The city is conveniently located just a few hours from the coast and three national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.
While Fresno is often sunny during the spring and summer, mornings during the fall and winter are generally filled with a thick fog called “tule fog.” This weather pattern, endemic to the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys (both part of the larger Central Valley), helps regulate temperatures but can lead to low visibility. During the summer, temperatures are warm, and the skies are generally clear.
Fresno is an adventurer’s haven, featuring numerous parks, lakes, trails, and activities just outside the city. Because of its proximity to Central Valley farms, local cuisine and produce is famous and a point of pride among locals. Plus, there are plenty of neighborhoods and suburbs with relatively affordable homes.
Tucson is a hot, sunny, desert city with wondrous outdoor recreation, UNESCO-certified cuisine, lively college athletics, and plenty of history. In fact, Tucson is such a remarkable city that Redfin named it the best place to live in Arizona in 2024. Summer heat can be unbearable at times, but because of the city’s elevation, it’s generally about five degrees cooler and a bit wetter than Phoenix to the north.
Frankly, getting outside and experiencing the unique desert landscape, whether it’s at Saguaro National Park or Catalina State Park, is a joy. Or, just walk the historic streets and stop for a bite to eat at a local restaurant. You can see everything the nature in the region has to offer at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Located within the Chihuahuan Desert on the southwestern edge of Texas, El Paso is known for its amateur sports, natural splendor, and warm, dry climate. While it’s generally sunny year-round, summers are the wettest time of the year due to the North American monsoon. Because of its inclusion in the Paso del Norte (Borderplex) and its proximity to Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, it’s a largely bilingual and binational metropolis.
El Paso isn’t an isolated desert town, either. Plenty of nearby cities provide alternative places to live and explore, like Horizon City and Canutillo.
If you’re looking to soak up the sun in the Pass of the North, there’s a lot to do, from touring local vineyards and museums, to spending time with friends at water parks and zoos. The city is also situated on the Rio Grande, which offers numerous attractions and vistas, and White Sands National Park. 17th-century Spanish mission buildings are local landmarks that still hold religious services.
Just an hour from Los Angeles, and situated in the middle of one of the largest agricultural producing areas in the world, Bakersfield, CA, is a dry, sunny city.
The area receives most of its rain during the winter, and sees sunny and hot summers. But unlike other Central Valley cities, Bakersfield sees only light fog during the winter. While Bakersfield is known for agricultural production, its oil, natural gas, and other extraction industries are some of the largest in the country.
There’s a lot to do in Bakersfield, from visiting the Kern County Museum and Bakersfield Museum of Art, to strolling along the Kern River. Bakersfield also has a famous music scene, notably its unique Bakersfield Sound country music genre. Other activities around the city include exploring nearby farms, eating the local cuisine at dozens of restaurants, or shopping in the Antique District.
Home to free weekly summer concerts, the world’s largest almond processing plant, gold-rush era attractions, and local wineries, Sacramento, CA, is a fun and sunny place to be. It’s also a hub for excellent local cuisine, railroad history, politics, and outdoor adventure.
The region gets most of its rain during the foggy fall and winter months, while it’s usually dry during the summer. Temperatures can also get quite hot.
As the capital of California, Sacramento is home to plenty of attractions and things to do. Along with great food and music, you can explore Folsom Lake and Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. And just outside the city, the California State Fair offers a traditional but lively fair experience. For something a bit less stimulating, consider seeing the Tower Bridge or strolling along the American River Parkway.
Los Angeles, CA, is a global hub for fashion, entertainment, finance, technology, and travel. Famous for being the home of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and numerous other iconic locales, the second-largest city in the U.S. is also one of the sunniest.
Because of its enormous urban sprawl, temperatures can vary widely throughout the city (from the coast to further inland), although it’s generally warm and dry year-round. Add in some of the calmest winds in the nation (1.9 mph average) and it’s no wonder people come for the weather.
There are plenty of things to do around L.A. You can catch the sunrise from Griffith Park, snap photos of the Hollywood sign, tour one of many famous museums, head to Venice Beach for a casual walk along the coast, visit Disneyland, or eat at any number of quality restaurants. Living in the city is expensive, though, which has pushed many residents out.
A city stocked full of life, Stockton, CA, is known for its restaurants, museums, parks, and famous nature center. Located in the Sacramento Valley, it’s just an hour from both the capital and coast, making for convenient trips into a large city.
Stockton receives most of its gloomy weather and rain in the winter, while summers are hot, sunny, and dry. The massive California Delta flows through the city, providing water to most of Central and Southern California via large pumps that are only a short drive from the city center.
If you’re looking for outdoor activities, you can visit the Haggin Museum, take a walk downtown, or drive a few hours to the Sierra Nevada mountains, where hikes, lakes, and beautiful weather are plentiful.
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Methodology
This list contains annual sunshine data for major cities with over 100,000 residents. Comparative Climatic Data was obtained from a 2020 review by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and its parent administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Sunlight was only measured during daylight hours.
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