Everyone wants to live where the weather is nice, and some of us are willing to pay handsomely for the privilege. We’re talking plenty of sunshine, low humidity, mild winters, and stunning summers.
While crunching the data to calculate the most laid-back cities in the U.S., we also collected data about the cities with the worst weather year-round.
Whether you're relocating for a stress-free retirement or just want to experience somewhere new, you should give the weather more than a passing thought. Unless you can be a snowbird, here’s where you might not want to have a permanent home.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
San Antonio, Texas
![san antonio downtown after sunset](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/07/24/san-antonio-downtown-after-sunset.jpg)
San Antonio may have a super vibrant culture, but the combination of high temps and humidity can make the city feel like a sauna from June and July through September.
Spring and fall bring some relief, but those months also bring severe thunderstorms, which can cause flooding. Winters are generally mild, but the occasional cold snap can be freezing.
Hartford, Connecticut
![hartford connecticut usa](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/03/25/hartford-connecticut-usa.jpg)
Hartford's weather is unpredictable and sometimes dreary. Winters are harsh, with temps often dropping below freezing and heavy snowfall making travel a pain.
Summers have high humidity that can make the heat feel oppressive. Hartford also gets a lot of rain throughout the year. Spring and fall bring beautiful foliage but are often short-lived.
Providence, Rhode Island
![Providence Rhode Island skyline from Riverside](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/20/providence-rhode-island-skyline-from-riverside.jpeg)
Providence has cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. The city also gets abundant rainfall throughout the year, contributing to its gloomy vibe.
Spring and fall are short and can be pretty wet, often with dramatic temperature swings that can make it hard to dress for the day.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Chicago, Illinois
![lake Michigan and city of Chicago downtown](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/09/lake_michigan_and_city_of_chicago_downtown.jpg)
Chicago is infamous for its brutal winters, with freezing temps, tons of snow, and biting winds. Summers can be pleasant but, again, short-lived, often with high humidity and storms.
Due to its location on Lake Michigan, Chicago can have unpredictable weather shifts throughout the year. Spring and fall are nice but can be inconsistent.
Detroit, Michigan
![Detroit, Michigan](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/09/detroit_michigan.jpg)
Detroit's weather is far from ideal. The long, frigid winter can extend from November to March or April, contributing to serious winter fatigue.
The high humidity in summer can make it feel much hotter than it actually is. It also rains a lot in the Motor City, making you long for blue skies and sunshine.
Boston, Massachusetts
![Boston Massachusetts Beautiful city skyline](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/24/boston-massachusetts-beautiful-city-skyline.jpeg)
Boston feels all four seasons in full force, but none are totally pleasant across the board. Winter is snowy and cold, with temps dropping into the 20s. Spring is chilly, and summer is hot and humid.
Fall can be beautiful but also unpredictable. Noreasters can happen anytime, bringing heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.
Cleveland, Ohio
![cleveland at sunset with walking tracks besides lake and buildings](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/06/06/walking-tracks-besides-lake-with-buildings-in-cleveland.jpeg)
Cleveland's weather is gray and wet. It sits on Lake Erie, which brings lots of lake-effect snow during long, cold winters. The persistent cloud cover can make you forget what the sun feels like.
Summers are warm but humid, with frequent thunderstorms that can bring heavy rain. Spring and fall are the most pleasant.
Tampa, Florida
![Tampa Florida](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/12/23/tampa_florida.jpg)
While Florida is known for its sunshine, Tampa's weather means lots of thunderstorms during the summer. High humidity can make summer temps in the 90s feel absolutely sweltering.
Tampa is also prone to hurricanes from June to November, which can bring catastrophic weather like super heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
![Milwaukee Wisconsin](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/04/20/milwaukee_wisconsin.jpg)
Milwaukee's weather is a mixed bag of extremes, including days of cloud cover. Winters are long, cold, and snowy, with icy winds blowing from Lake Michigan. Summers are warm but short and muggy.
Milwaukee gets plenty of precipitation each year, contributing to its overall unpredictable and sometimes harsh weather. The transitions between seasons can also be pretty abrupt.
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
Orlando, Florida
![Orlando, Florida](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/07/10/orlando_florida.jpg)
Orlando might be a super popular tourist destination, but its weather can be a drag if you live there full-time. Summers are particularly muggy, with temps often in the high 90s and frequent thunderstorms. Humidity makes it feel a lot hotter than it is.
Orlando may be inland, but hurricanes can still bring dangerous conditions.
Houston, Texas
![Houston, Texas, USA Skyline](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/09/houston_texas_usa_skyline.jpg)
The oppressive heat and humidity in summer in Houston is no joke. The city also gets a decent amount of rain every year, with heavy downpours that can cause dangerous flooding.
Given its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Houston can get hit by hurricanes during storm season.
New Orleans, Louisiana
![bourbon street new orleans](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/03/25/bourbon-street-new-orleans.jpg)
Like its Gulf Coast neighbors, New Orleans is at high risk for hurricanes. It’s hot and humid for much of the year; summers are particularly difficult. Winters are mild but can be damp and dreary at times.
The Big Easy gets a ton of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, so the reality of flooding is no surprise.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
![Downtown Minneapolis Minnesota](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/03/09/downtown_minneapolis_minnesota.jpg)
Minneapolis is a bit of a weather drama queen. Winters are incredibly harsh, with frigid temps and heavy snowfall. The long season can feel depressing.
Summers are warm but shortish, with temps in the 70s and 80s and high humidity. Minneapolis also gets a fair amount of rain in the fall.
Buffalo, New York
![Buffalo NY skyline during day](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/20/buffalo-skyline-during-day.jpeg)
Buffalo's weather is dominated by lake-effect snow from Lake Erie, which translates into some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. Temps often drop well below freezing and the chill lasts into April.
Summers are warm, but rain showers can mess with your outdoor plans. Fall is nice but arguably too short.
Miami, Florida
![Miami Florida Skyline from palm trees](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/24/miami-florida-skyline-from-palm-trees.jpeg)
Miami can be a paradise in winter, but its weather has serious downsides. High humidity is fairly constant throughout the year, especially in sweltering summers with frequent thunderstorms.
Of course, Miami is susceptible to hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season, which is a risky proposition. Climate change is also exacerbating hurricanes and flooding.
Bottom line
![happy time despite bad weather](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/07/24/happy_time_despite_bad_weather.jpg)
These cities all have wonderful things going for them. But if you're chasing perfect weather year-round, you might want to keep looking, especially if you’re planning to retire there. Like Goldilocks searching for “just right,” these cities are either too hot and humid or too cold and snowy for significant parts of the year.
Some of the bad weather may be offset by an affordable cost of living in some of these locales, so there is a potential silver lining. If you can deal with the not-so-perfect weather, you may find a home in one of these cities.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
![Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/0x0/filters:quality(100)/images/2023/08/22/boa-travel-rewards-credit-card.png)
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now