Hot weather is a great change from the winter blues and is often welcome in particularly cold and rainy areas of the country. Many people look forward to the year-round warmth and sunshine, and may even migrate in search of it. However, too much heat can cause problems.
Unfortunately, temperatures are only going to get hotter. 2023 and 2024 were both the hottest years in modern history, but 2025 fell just below that mark. Heat is also unavoidable, as ocean temperatures (SSTs) are also reaching consecutive highs, only exacerbating the problem.
So, since climate plays an increasingly large role in deciding where people live, we thought it would be helpful to break down the hottest states in the United States. Whether you want to escape the heat or be one with the sun, this list is for you.
hottest state in america
Texas Louisiana Florida Mississippi Oklahoma Georgia Arizona South Carolina Alabama Arkansas
How do we measure the hottest state?
For the purpose of determining the “hottest” states, this list measures the states’ average summer temperatures. This allows us to account for states with very hot summers but mild winters, rather than just preferring tropical regions that are warm year-round. The state’s average annual temperature is also included, but is not used for ranking purposes.
The average summer temperature combines the state’s daily high and low temperatures from June through August and averages them into one number. Average annual temperature combines the state’s annual average daily maximum and minimum temperatures and averages them into one number.
It is also important to remember the heat index (the temperature you “feel”). The heat index takes into account both air temperature and relative humidity.
Note: It is important to note that the rankings are for the entire state, not just one city. You might think the state is hot because its cities (such as Palm Springs and Phoenix) are famous for their high temperatures. However, other cities within the same state may experience cooler weather, which lowers the statewide average.
What is the hottest state in America?
1. Texas
Average summer temperature: 82.5°F Average annual temperature: 66.2°F Highest temperature record: 120°F (1936, 1994)
Filled with diverse cultures, cities, and cuisines, Texas is the hottest state in the United States. Texas is so hot in large part because of its flat terrain, especially the Gulf Coast in the south, the Chihuahuan Desert in the west, and the Great Plains throughout. With few major elevation changes and only one natural lake, most of the state experiences temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. And even when a heat wave arrives, there is little in the way.
Unlike other southern states, Texas experiences warm winters on its tropical south coast and very hot summers on its western desert. El Paso is the hottest city in Texas, but cities like Corpus Christi along the Gulf of Mexico often have much higher heat indices.
Last year was the fourth warmest year in Texas history, but the temperatures pale in comparison to record-breaking years in 2023 and 2024.
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2. Louisiana
Average summer temperature: 82°F Average annual temperature: 67.5°F Highest temperature record: 114°F (1936)
Louisiana, just east of Texas, is the second hottest state in the United States. The state’s heat comes from its location on the Gulf of Mexico and near the equator, which provides warm, humid air most of the year. Heat domes, pockets of high pressure over long periods of time, can cause intense heat waves.
Importantly, the heat index plays a big role in summer in Louisiana. For example, cities like Ruston and Monroe in the northern region of the state can easily reach 95 to 100°F, while coastal areas rarely experience temperatures above 95°F. However, when humidity is taken into account, it actually feels hotter on the coast much more often than inland.
Climate risk is a major concern for much of the state, especially along the coast. Strong storms often bring flooding to cities below sea level, such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
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3. Florida
Average summer temperature: 82°F Average annual temperature: 71.7°F Highest temperature record: 109°F (1931)
Filled with natural beauty, centuries of European history, and all the amenities you could want, Florida ranks as the third hottest state in the nation.
Florida has a humid subtropical climate and is the hottest state in the continental United States based on average annual temperatures. The tropical climate keeps temperatures warm all year round, but never extremely hot. However, the heat index can reach well above 110°F. 2025 was one of the state’s hottest years on record, with months of unusually warm and dry weather.
What makes Florida unique is that its climate is particularly influenced by temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, which (like most other oceans) reached record highs in 2024 and parts of 2025. As the oceans warm, so does the air, making extreme weather events such as heat waves and hurricanes more common.
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4. Mississippi
Average summer temperature: 80.3°F Average annual temperature: 64.6°F Highest temperature record: 115°F (1930)
Mississippi, a deep southern state known for its musical roots, history of the civil rights movement, and its namesake delta, is the fourth hottest state in the United States. Most of the state’s heat comes from the Gulf of Mexico, and when combined with very high humidity, summers can be unusually hot. However, temperatures are warm during the winter months, which is a fair playing field for many residents.
Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year and generally falls in strong bursts. Mississippi’s largest city, Jackson, averages nearly 60 inches of rainfall per year.
If you’re considering moving to the Magnolia State, Mississippi is one of the cheapest states in the United States to buy a home. For example, buying a home in Tupelo costs just $250,000. However, the state has the highest poverty rate in the nation outside of Puerto Rico.
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5. Oklahoma
Average summer temperature: 80.3°F Average annual temperature: 60.7°F Highest temperature record: 120°F (1936)
Temperatures in Oklahoma vary greatly from season to season, largely due to the state’s location on the Great Plains. In general, individual weather systems determine the climate. In fact, Oklahoma State wouldn’t be on this list if measured over any other season.
In general, Oklahoma’s winters are cool and mild, but its summers are very hot and humid. Summers are hot due to southerly winds that bring hot, dry air from Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. These winds flow uninterrupted over Oklahoma’s relatively flat terrain. Large fluctuations in temperature and humidity can also cause extreme weather events, especially tornadoes and thunderstorms. The western Panhandle is the coldest region of Oklahoma.
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6. Georgia
Average summer temperature: 79.5°F Average annual temperature: 64.5°F Highest temperature record: 112°F (1952, 1983)
Georgia ranks number 6 on the list of hottest states in the United States. Georgia is known for its beautiful and varied landscapes, from the coastal plains around the city of Savannah to the rolling hills of Atlanta. From professional sports facilities and a massive aquarium to historic museums and great restaurants.
Georgia’s climate is characterized by the hot Gulf of Mexico and cool Appalachian Mountains, and the state has four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, but winters are mild and can be cold with snow in the northeast. Freezing in winter is rare, but heat waves and thunderstorms can occur in summer. Storms are not uncommon along the Atlantic coast.
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7. Arizona
Average summer temperature: 79.5°F Average annual temperature: 61.4°F Highest temperature record: 128°F (1994)
Known for its dry heat, Arizona is the seventh hottest state in the United States. The summer of 2024 was the hottest in Arizona history, with temperatures 4.8°F above average. Yuma is both the hottest city in the state and the sunniest city in the world.
Arizona ranks so highly in large part because of the extreme summer heat common to the rapidly warming Sonoran Desert, where most of the state’s population lives. However, the northern half of the state, especially the highest peaks of the Colorado Plateau, has relatively mild summers, contributing to lower average temperatures. For example, Flagstaff’s average high temperature in July is 82.3°F, while Phoenix’s average high temperature is 107.7°F.
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8. South Carolina
Average summer temperature: 79.4°F Average annual temperature: 63.6°F Highest temperature record: 113°F (2012)
South Carolina is known for its Southern hospitality, historic towns, pristine beaches, and warm, sunny climate. Homes are also fairly affordable in many cities, including Columbia ($265,000) and Myrtle Beach ($342,000). A warm climate, affordable housing, and plenty of amenities are attractive offers, and people are taking advantage of them. South Carolina has grown faster than any other state for the past two years in a row.
South Carolina’s climate varies greatly depending on where you live. For example, the Blue Mountains of the Northwest are much cooler than the warm, humid Lowcountry. It rains a lot all year round.
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9. Alabama
Average summer temperature: 79.4°F Average annual temperature: 63.9°F Highest temperature record: 112°F (1925)
Alabama is No. 9 on the list. There’s so much to love, including the world’s largest space museum, important civil rights landmarks, famous barbecue and seafood restaurants, and a unique Southern atmosphere. Birmingham and Mobile are Alabama’s largest cities.
Like most southeastern states, Alabama’s climate is generally warm and humid. Summers are very hot, especially considering the humidity. Additionally, the state’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the Appalachian Mountains influences weather patterns, which can often be stormy. Tornadoes and hurricanes are both big risks near the coast, but sudden bursts of rain are common throughout the year.
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Alabama was 112°F in Centerville, located on the flat upper coastal plain. Tuscaloosa is, on average, the hottest city in the state.
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10. Arkansas
Average summer temperature: 79.3°F Average annual temperature: 61.4°F Highest temperature record: 120°F (1936)
Arkansas rounds out the list of the hottest states in the United States. Like other southern states, Arkansas’ climate is determined by the Gulf of Mexico, which typically provides a consistent flow of warm, humid air.
Still, the state has four seasons and can experience extreme heat and severe cold. Ice storms typically occur at least once a year, while heat waves are common in the summer. The state’s topography is hilly in the west and flat plains in the rest, allowing weather systems to exert their influence unhindered.
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methodology
Data is provided by the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI) and its parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Average summer temperatures are three-month averages based on data from June to August 1996. Until 2025. Average annual temperature is a 12-month average based on data from 1996 to 2025. Record high temperature data is here. Housing data is as of January 2026.
