Sperling’s Chill Cities

What are the best places in the U.S. to spend a cool, comfortable summer?

Summer heat and humidity can seem relentless, with no relief in sight.  Even moderately-high temperatures can be unbearable when combined with high humidity and nighttime temperatures that refuse to dip.

But there are places around the United States which are reliably cool and comfortable, even during the warmest months – July and August.  I used our new Sperling Heat Index to identify the places with the desirable combination of moderate daytime temps, low humidity, and cool temperatures at night.

Of the 50 largest metro areas in the United States, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco have the most comfortable summers, with mild temperatures, cool nights and humidity so low it’s barely noticeable.  (A full ranking of the 50 largest metros is at the end of this post, plus a ranking of  all 361 U.S. metros.)

Top Ten Chill Cities (of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas)

Rank	Metro	Daytime  high temp	Nighttime low temp	 Dew point	Relative humidity at high temp
1	Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	74.9	52.9	50.8	43%
2	Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA	79.2	53.2	51.6	38%
3	San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	78.5	55.6	52.6	41%
4	Denver-Aurora, CO	83.3	53.4	46.3	28%
5	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	83.4	55.6	53.5	36%
6	Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY	80.3	60.0	59.3	49%
7	Salt Lake City, UT	88.5	57.1	39.8	18%
8	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	81.6	60.6	60.2	48%
9	Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI	82.3	60.8	59.3	46%
10	Pittsburgh, PA	82.7	60.3	60.2	47%

(full list of 50 at the end of this post)
Click here to get the all the supporting data in a spreadsheet, including high temperatures, nighttime temperatures, dew point and relative humidity

Our analysis is unique in that it includes the average nighttime low temperature.  Some places, especially those at high altitude, may have daytime high temperatures in the 80’s, but then drop into the 40’s at night, providing a welcome relief to the summer heat.

So how “chill” is summer in Seattle?  At the time I’m writing this post (July 18^th), Seattle has had only one day in excess of 90 degrees so far this year, and is forecast to end the month of July without any measureable rainfall for the month.  Summers in the Pacific Northwest are probably the most pleasant in the U.S., and even the rain stays away, sometimes for a month or more at a stretch.

Thanks to the barrier of the Rocky Mountains, the West is almost immune to the stifling humidity of the Midwest and Eastern United States.  It’s a rare day in any of the West’s coastal or mountain states when the humidity is enough to be noticeable, let alone uncomfortable.

And if you’re looking for cool vacation spot this summer, start with our list of Chill Cities.  It’s not guaranteed but the chances are excellent that you’ll have great weather for your outdoor activities.

At the other end of our list of Chill Cities are the Sizzling Cities, where residents can expect to spend the summer sweltering.  As one might expect, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Dallas lead this ranking, followed by Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.  These summer “hotspots” combine high daytime temperature and stifling humidity with nighttime temperatures that often do not provide needed relief.

Click here to get the all the supporting data in a spreadsheet, including high temperatures, nighttime temperatures, dew point and relative humidity.

Sperling’s Chill Cities rankings for the 50 largest U.S. metro areas.

Rank	Chill Cities (metro areas)
1	Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
2	Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA
3	San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
4	Denver-Aurora, CO
5	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
6	Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY
7	Salt Lake City, UT
8	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI
9	Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI
10	Pittsburgh, PA
11	Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH
12	Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA
13	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
14	Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville, CA
15	Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
16	Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH
17	San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
18	Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI
19	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA
20	New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
21	Columbus, OH
22	Indianapolis-Carmel, IN
23	Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN
24	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
25	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
26	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
27	Baltimore-Towson, MD
28	Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
29	St. Louis, MO-IL
30	Kansas City, MO-KS
31	Richmond, VA
32	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
33	Raleigh-Cary, NC
34	Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
35	Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
36	Birmingham-Hoover, AL
37	Memphis, TN-MS-AR
38	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
39	Oklahoma City, OK
40	Jacksonville, FL
41	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
42	Orlando-Kissimmee, FL
43	New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA
44	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
45	San Antonio, TX
46	Austin-Round Rock, TX
47	Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
48	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
49	Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
50	Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ

And here is the full Chill Cities ranking of all 361 metro areas.

Rank	Chill Cities (metro area)	Population
1	Anchorage, AK	380,821
2	Fairbanks, AK	97,581
3	Bend, OR	157,733
4	Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	116,901
5	Salinas, CA	415,057
6	Boulder, CO	294,567
7	Colorado Springs, CO	645,613
8	Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	3,439,809
9	Olympia, WA	252,264
10	Missoula, MT	109,299
11	Bellingham, WA	201,140
12	Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	262,382
13	Eugene-Springfield, OR	351,715
14	Bremerton-Silverdale, WA	251,133
15	Salem, OR	390,738
16	Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	299,630
17	Longview, WA	102,410
18	Great Falls, MT	81,327
19	San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	269,637
20	Spokane, WA	471,221
21	Corvallis, OR	85,579
22	Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA	2,226,009
23	Coeur d’Alene, ID	138,494
24	Duluth, MN-WI	279,771
25	Idaho Falls, ID	130,374
26	Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	483,878
27	Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA	423,895
28	San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	4,335,391
29	Denver-Aurora, CO	2,543,487
30	Utica-Rome, NY	299,397
31	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	823,318
32	Bangor, ME	153,923
33	Medford, OR	203,206
34	Pocatello, ID	90,656
35	Cheyenne, WY	91,738
36	Pittsfield, MA	131,219
37	Green Bay, WI	306,241
38	Wausau, WI	134,063
39	Kingston, NY	182,493
40	Grand Forks, ND-MN	98,461
41	Casper, WY	75,450
42	Carson City, NV	55,274
43	Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, ME	514,098
44	Wenatchee, WA	110,884
45	Binghamton, NY	251,725
46	Lewiston-Auburn, ME	107,702
47	Billings, MT	158,050
48	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	1,836,911
49	Ithaca, NY	101,564
50	State College, PA	153,990
51	Springfield, MA	692,942
52	Elmira, NY	88,830
53	Burlington-South Burlington, VT	211,261
54	Napa, CA	136,484
55	Logan, UT-ID	125,442
56	Syracuse, NY	662,577
57	Santa Fe, NM	144,170
58	Rapid City, SD	126,382
59	Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA	563,631
60	Worcester, MA	798,552
61	Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	172,188
62	Sheboygan, WI	115,507
63	Johnstown, PA	143,679
64	Bismarck, ND	108,779
65	Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	870,716
66	Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY	1,135,509
67	Eau Claire, WI	161,151
68	Manchester-Nashua, NH	400,721
69	Glens Falls, NY	128,923
70	Erie, PA	280,566
71	Salt Lake City, UT	1,124,197
72	Flint, MI	425,790
73	Boise City-Nampa, ID	616,561
74	Reno-Sparks, NV	425,417
75	Yakima, WA	243,231
76	Appleton, WI	225,666
77	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	774,160
78	Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, MI	200,169
79	Greeley, CO	252,825
80	St. Cloud, MN	189,093
81	Bay City, MI	107,771
82	Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA	565,773
83	Fond du Lac, WI	101,633
84	Rochester, NY	1,054,323
85	Fargo, ND-MN	208,777
86	Morgantown, WV	129,709
87	Grand Junction, CO	146,723
88	Altoona, PA	127,089
89	Battle Creek, MI	136,146
90	Albuquerque, NM	887,077
91	Mansfield, OH	124,475
92	Barnstable Town, MA	215,888
93	Flagstaff, AZ	134,421
94	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	1,555,908
95	Holland-Grand Haven, MI	263,801
96	Rochester, MN	186,011
97	Jackson, MI	160,248
98	Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	162,958
99	Ann Arbor, MI	344,791
100	Madison, WI	568,593
101	Racine, WI	195,408
102	Lansing-East Lansing, MI	464,036
103	Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI	4,296,250
104	Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	166,994
105	Pittsburgh, PA	2,356,285
106	Canton-Massillon, OH	404,422
107	Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH	4,552,262
108	La Crosse, WI-MN	133,665
109	South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	319,224
110	Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, WA	253,340
111	Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA	1,600,852
112	Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	326,589
113	Redding, CA	177,223
114	Provo-Orem, UT	526,810
115	Akron, OH	703,200
116	Ogden-Clearfield, UT	547,184
117	Williamsport, PA	116,111
118	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	3,279,833
119	Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY	670,301
120	Lewiston, ID-WA	60,888
121	Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville, CA	2,149,127
122	Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	1,212,381
123	Elkhart-Goshen, IN	197,559
124	Janesville, WI	160,331
125	Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH	2,077,240
126	Norwich-New London, CT	274,055
127	Monroe, MI	152,021
128	Asheville, NC	424,858
129	San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA	3,095,313
130	Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH	124,454
131	Fort Wayne, IN	416,257
132	Sioux Falls, SD	228,261
133	Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	167,819
134	Kokomo, IN	98,688
135	Springfield, OH	138,333
136	Lebanon, PA	133,568
137	Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI	9,461,106
138	Pueblo, CO	159,063
139	Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	821,173
140	Cumberland, MD-WV	103,299
141	Farmington, NM	130,044
142	Dubuque, IA	93,653
143	Wheeling, WV-OH	147,950
144	Niles-Benton Harbor, MI	156,813
145	Cedar Rapids, IA	257,940
146	Michigan City-La Porte, IN	111,467
147	Lima, OH	106,331
148	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA	12,828,837
149	Ames, IA	89,542
150	Yuba City, CA	166,892
151	New Haven-Milford, CT	862,477
152	Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	916,829
153	Anderson, IN	131,636
154	Toledo, OH	651,429
155	New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA	18,897,109
156	Rockford, IL	349,431
157	Harrisonburg, VA	125,228
158	Columbus, OH	1,836,536
159	Winchester, VA-WV	128,472
160	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	143,577
161	Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	549,475
162	Lafayette, IN	201,789
163	Indianapolis-Carmel, IN	1,756,241
164	Reading, PA	411,442
165	Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH	162,056
166	Stockton, CA	685,306
167	Muncie, IN	117,671
168	Sandusky, OH	77,079
169	Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	269,140
170	Champaign-Urbana, IL	231,891
171	Bloomington-Normal, IL	169,572
172	Bloomington, IN	192,714
173	Johnson City, TN	198,716
174	Dayton, OH	841,502
175	Lancaster, PA	519,445
176	Kankakee-Bradley, IL	113,449
177	Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	569,633
178	Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	287,702
179	Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	379,690
180	Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA	309,544
181	Lynchburg, VA	252,634
182	Peoria, IL	379,186
183	York-Hanover, PA	434,972
184	Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN	2,130,151
185	Vallejo-Fairfield, CA	413,344
186	Chico, CA	220,000
187	Danville, IL	81,625
188	Iowa City, IA	152,586
189	Trenton-Ewing, NJ	366,513
190	Visalia-Porterville, CA	442,179
191	Ocean City, NJ	97,265
192	Charleston, WV	304,284
193	Springfield, IL	210,170
194	Terre Haute, IN	172,425
195	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	865,350
196	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	5,965,343
197	Columbus, IN	76,794
198	Roanoke, VA	308,707
199	Lexington-Fayette, KY	472,099
200	Morristown, TN	136,608
201	Atlantic City, NJ	274,549
202	Charlottesville, VA	201,559
203	Elizabethtown, KY	119,736
204	Decatur, IL	110,768
205	Fresno, CA	930,450
206	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	5,582,170
207	Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ	156,898
208	Cleveland, TN	115,788
209	Madera, CA	150,865
210	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	1,283,566
211	Winston-Salem, NC	477,717
212	Lincoln, NE	302,157
213	Chattanooga, TN-GA	528,143
214	Merced, CA	255,793
215	Amarillo, TX	249,881
216	Knoxville, TN	698,030
217	St. Joseph, MO-KS	127,329
218	Modesto, CA	514,453
219	Danville, VA	106,561
220	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	365,497
221	Springfield, MO	436,712
222	Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC	636,986
223	Baltimore-Towson, MD	2,710,489
224	Prescott, AZ	211,033
225	St. George, UT	138,115
226	Jefferson City, MO	149,807
227	Honolulu, HI	953,207
228	Salisbury, MD	125,203
229	Dover, DE	162,310
230	Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN	1,589,934
231	Bakersfield, CA	839,631
232	St. Louis, MO-IL	2,812,896
233	Bowling Green, KY	125,953
234	Topeka, KS	233,870
235	Columbia, MO	172,786
236	Durham, NC	504,357
237	Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO	463,204
238	Kansas City, MO-KS	2,035,334
239	Greensboro-High Point, NC	723,801
240	Gainesville, GA	179,684
241	Richmond, VA	1,258,251
242	Lawrence, KS	110,826
243	Burlington, NC	151,131
244	Dalton, GA	142,227
245	Evansville, IN-KY	358,676
246	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA	5,268,860
247	Clarksville, TN-KY	273,949
248	Hanford-Corcoran, CA	152,982
249	Spartanburg, SC	284,307
250	Las Cruces, NM	209,233
251	Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL	147,137
252	Owensboro, KY	114,752
253	Joplin, MO	175,518
254	Raleigh-Cary, NC	1,130,490
255	Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	1,671,683
256	Decatur, AL	153,829
257	Athens-Clarke County, GA	192,541
258	Huntsville, AL	417,593
259	Jacksonville, NC	177,772
260	Anderson, SC	187,126
261	Lubbock, TX	284,890
262	Rocky Mount, NC	152,392
263	Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC	1,758,038
264	Jackson, TN	115,425
265	Wichita, KS	623,061
266	Rome, GA	96,317
267	Anniston-Oxford, AL	118,572
268	Birmingham-Hoover, AL	1,128,047
269	Auburn-Opelika, AL	140,247
270	Hot Springs, AR	96,024
271	Greenville, NC	189,510
272	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC	269,291
273	El Paso, TX	800,647
274	Jonesboro, AR	121,026
275	Macon, GA	232,293
276	Fort Smith, AR-OK	298,592
277	Goldsboro, NC	122,623
278	Gadsden, AL	104,430
279	Sumter, SC	107,456
280	Fayetteville, NC	366,383
281	Wilmington, NC	362,315
282	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	1,316,100
283	Montgomery, AL	374,536
284	Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	556,877
285	Columbia, SC	767,598
286	Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	699,757
287	Florence, SC	205,566
288	Hattiesburg, MS	142,842
289	Tulsa, OK	937,478
290	Valdosta, GA	139,588
291	Columbus, GA-AL	294,865
292	Warner Robins, GA	139,900
293	Jackson, MS	539,057
294	Tuscaloosa, AL	219,461
295	Gainesville, FL	264,275
296	Pascagoula, MS	162,246
297	Odessa, TX	137,130
298	Midland, TX	136,872
299	Dothan, AL	145,639
300	Tallahassee, FL	367,413
301	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	4,224,851
302	San Angelo, TX	111,823
303	Oklahoma City, OK	1,252,987
304	Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, FL	180,822
305	Albany, GA	157,308
306	Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	494,593
307	Charleston-North Charleston, SC	664,607
308	Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL	138,028
309	Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	248,820
310	Monroe, LA	176,441
311	Pine Bluff, AR	100,258
312	Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	448,991
313	Mobile, AL	412,992
314	Jacksonville, FL	1,345,596
315	Baton Rouge, LA	802,484
316	Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	543,376
317	Port St. Lucie, FL	424,107
318	Ocala, FL	331,298
319	Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR	136,027
320	Abilene, TX	165,252
321	North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	702,281
322	Lafayette, LA	273,738
323	Tyler, TX	209,714
324	Brunswick, GA	112,370
325	Alexandria, LA	153,922
326	Hinesville-Fort Stewart, GA	77,917
327	Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	398,604
328	Sherman-Denison, TX	120,877
329	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	2,783,243
330	Savannah, GA	347,611
331	Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA	208,178
332	Longview, TX	214,369
333	Orlando-Kissimmee, FL	2,134,411
334	Naples-Marco Island, FL	321,520
335	Lawton, OK	124,098
336	New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA	1,167,785
337	Lake Charles, LA	199,607
338	Lakeland, FL	602,095
339	Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	388,745
340	Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX	405,300
341	Panama City-Lynn Haven, FL	168,852
342	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL	5,564,635
343	Punta Gorda, FL	159,978
344	Tucson, AZ	980,263
345	San Antonio, TX	2,142,508
346	Austin-Round Rock, TX	1,716,289
347	Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	618,754
348	Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX	5,946,800
349	Wichita Falls, TX	151,306
350	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	6,371,773
351	College Station-Bryan, TX	228,660
352	Waco, TX	234,906
353	Victoria, TX	115,384
354	Corpus Christi, TX	428,185
355	Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	406,220
356	Las Vegas-Paradise, NV	1,951,269
357	McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	774,769
358	Laredo, TX	250,304
359	Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	4,192,887
360	El Centro, CA	174,528
361	Yuma, AZ	195,751

Click here to get the all the supporting data in a spreadsheet, including high temperatures, nighttime temperatures, dew point and relative humidity.