May 7, 2026
Walking on Sunshine: 7 of the Best Warm Places to Live in the U.S.
Somewhere between your third snow day of the season and realizing you can’t remember the last time you felt sun on your face, a thought st...
Somewhere between your third snow day of the season and realizing you can’t remember the last time you felt sun on your face, a thought starts creeping in: “What if I just moved somewhere warm?”
Moving to a warmer climate is one of the most common relocation motivations in the United States, whether the driver is retirement, remote work flexibility, a job relocation, or simply deciding that cold weather is no longer part of your lifestyle. So where should you go? Here are seven of the best warm places to live in the U.S., plus a few practical considerations to think through before you pack the boxes.
No single “warmest” city will be right for everyone. Our roundup below highlights seven cities across coastal, desert, and Southern metros, each offering a different take on what warm-weather living looks like day to day.
Miami is a year-round warm weather city with beach access, a strong nightlife and culture, and diverse amenities to suit almost anyone’s interests. The average temperature hovers in the mid-70s, and winter highs regularly hit the 70s and low 80s. If your definition of a warmer climate is a place where you genuinely don’t need a winter coat, Miami delivers.
The city is a cultural hub with a distinct Latin American influence, a thriving arts scene in Wynwood, and neighborhoods ranging from the high-energy coastal feel of South Beach to the quieter, family-friendly vibe of Coral Gables.
On the practical side, Florida has no state income tax, which is one reason the state continues to see strong inbound migration. However, housing costs have risen significantly in recent years, and hurricane season is a real consideration from June through November, so insurance and building standards matter more here than in many other states.
For the full breakdown on living in the Sunshine State, check out CORT’s guide to what to know before moving to Florida.
Phoenix is one of the most recognizable options for people who want mild winters, but it has a bit of a learning curve. Summer temperatures routinely climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and July and August require a different rhythm for daily life: early-morning runs, midday indoors, and evenings dining al fresco. The trade-off is winter, and winter in Phoenix is spectacular. With winter highs often in the 60s and 70s, Phoenix from November through March feels built for desert hiking, golfing, and easy day trips to nearby Sedona or Flagstaff for cooler mountain air and forest trails.
The “Valley of the Sun” has become one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States, and the real estate market reflects that. The cost of living is still lower than in many coastal warm-weather cities, but it has risen substantially. Job opportunities have expanded significantly in tech, healthcare, and finance, making Phoenix a legitimate career destination, not just a retirement city.
Thinking about making Phoenix your next move? CORT’s Phoenix moving guide covers neighborhoods, cost of living, and what to expect from daily life in the desert.
If Phoenix is warm weather with an asterisk, and Miami is humid heat with a side of hurricanes, San Diego is a classic pick for sunny days, coastal living, and mild temperatures that make it easy to stay outside every month of the year. Average temperatures hover in the 60s and 70s basically year-round, humidity stays low, and rain is rare. It’s the closest thing the continental United States has to a perpetual spring.
That climate comes at a price, literally. San Diego has one of the highest costs of living among major U.S. metros, and housing, in particular, can be tough to afford. But for people whose non-negotiables are mild temperatures, year-round outdoor activities, and coastal access without the Southeast’s humidity, it’s hard to beat. The city has strong job markets in biotech, defense, tourism, and the broader Southern California tech ecosystem.
For more on living in the Golden State, check out CORT’s California state guide.
New Orleans is a lifestyle city: music, food, architecture, Mardi Gras, and an unmatched cultural identity. The subtropical climate brings mild temperatures through the winter, with average January highs in the low 60s, and the city rarely sees cold weather in any meaningful sense. The trade-off is that you’ll want to plan for summer heat and humidity, as well as the realities of storm season.
The cost of living in New Orleans is notably lower than in many comparable warm-climate cities, and housing remains accessible in many neighborhoods (though flood zones and hurricane risk should factor heavily into where you look).
The job market is strongest in healthcare, education, tourism, and the port sector, with a growing presence in tech and film. If you want warm weather plus a genuine sense of place, New Orleans is one of the most distinctive options on this list.
Las Vegas is more than just its world-famous Strip full of flashing lights and opulent casinos. People who live there know it’s actually a sprawling metro with master-planned suburbs, strong access to outdoor recreation, and one of the driest, sunniest climates in the country. Las Vegas gets over 300 sunny days per year, with summer temperatures that routinely hit triple digits and winter daytime highs in the 60s.
The desert’s dryness makes heat more manageable than at equivalent temperatures in humid climates. And the proximity to Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, and Mount Charleston means outdoor activities are genuinely accessible year-round.
Nevada also has no state income tax, and the cost of living, while rising, is still lower than in many comparable Sun Belt metros. The job market has diversified well beyond hospitality into healthcare, logistics, and tech.
Dallas offers warm weather year-round, a strong job market, and a wide range of neighborhoods. Summers are long and hot, with plenty of days above 95 degrees, but winters are genuinely mild, with average January highs in the upper 50s and the occasional rare cold snap. The summer heat does ask you to adjust your routine (early mornings, late evenings, midday indoors). Still, for most of the year, you get real access to outdoor activities, from lake days at Lake Grapevine and Lake Ray Hubbard to year-round patio culture.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the United States, and that is reflected in the job market. Major employers across finance, tech, healthcare, and logistics have set up significant operations here.
Texas is another location with no state income tax, which continues to draw transplants from higher-tax states. Cost of living is still more manageable than in many warm-weather cities, though real estate in the most desirable neighborhoods has climbed significantly in recent years.
For a deeper look at life in the Lone Star State’s biggest metro, CORT’s Dallas moving guide has you covered.
Charleston is often on shortlists for those seeking mild winters, coastal charm, and a strong sense of local culture. South Carolina’s Lowcountry coast has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and famously mild winters, with average winter temperatures in the 50s and more than 200 sunny days per year. That mix of warm weather and four distinct seasons has made Charleston one of the most consistently ranked among the best warm places to live in the country.
The city itself is walkable, historic, and genuinely distinct, with a food scene that punches way above its population size. Cost of living has risen as Charleston has grown more popular, but it remains more accessible than many coastal alternatives. Jobs are strongest in tourism, healthcare, aerospace (thanks to Boeing), and the port. Hurricane season and coastal flooding are real considerations, so neighborhood selection matters.
Warm climates come in very different flavors. Humid subtropical heat in the Southeast feels very different from dry desert heat in the Southwest, and coastal breezes can make the same summer temperatures feel wildly different from an inland metro.
Before you choose your next locale, it helps to pressure-test the move with a few practical considerations:
It’s also worth being honest about what warm weather year-round actually does to daily life. You will spend more on cooling and less on heating. Your wardrobe will shift.
A good mindset is to treat the first year like a trial run. Many people moving to a warmer climate start with a shorter lease to test commutes, neighborhoods, and what outdoor living looks like in that climate.
Moving often brings the excitement of a fresh start: new surroundings, new routines, and a new place to call home. If you’re relocating to a warmer climate to get closer to sunshine and outdoor living, setting up your home should feel just as easy as exploring your new surroundings. CORT Furniture Rental makes it easy to furnish your space while supporting a more sustainable approach to living.
With more than 50 years of experience, CORT Furniture Rental lets you furnish your new space with quality, stylish furniture for as long as you need it, without the upfront cost or long-term commitment of buying. Our team also handles delivery and setup, and when you’re ready to move on, one call schedules a quick and easy pickup.
CORT Furniture Rental makes relocating to a new climate, a new city, and a new chapter easier, with flexibility built in from day one. Build your furniture package online or find a showroom near you today!
