Best Places to Move to Avoid the Snow

Looking to move to a place with no snow in the U.S.A.?

If you’re dreaming of a winter without snow, there are several places in the United States to choose from. Whether you want to move out of a northern state or from one temperate climate to another, it’s good to be prepared for what the upcoming winter will bring. Let’s explore the 10 states with the least winter precipitation and 20 notable cities to consider for your new, warmer hometown. 

A family enjoys time on the beach to avoid snow.

 

States where it doesn’t snow (much)

Technically, snow is possible in every state in the U.S., but it’s less likely in some places. When you’re looking for a warmer state to call home, it helps to know the yearly averages for winter precipitation to narrow down your decision. 

According to USA.com, the following states have the least amount of snowfall per year: 

State Average annual snowfall (inches) 
Hawaii  0
Florida  .01 
Louisiana  .20 
Alabama  .57 
Mississippi  .71 
Georgia  .76 
Texas  1.36 
South Carolina  1.50 
California  3.76 
Arkansas  4.04 

 

20 U.S. cities with the least snowfall

If little-to-no snow is a big consideration as you figure out where to live, try one of these cities where flurries are so rare that the average annual snowfall is 0 inches.

1. Charleston, SC

As the largest city in South Carolina, Charleston is home to just over 150,000 people. Its location on the Atlantic Coast allows for mild winters in the subtropical climate, with temperatures typically between 43 and 57 degrees. While average annual snowfall is non-existent, residents can expect about 48 inches of rain per year. Charleston has a rich history and was America's fourth largest — but wealthiest — colonial city.

2. Corpus Christi, TX

Known as the “Bird Capital of North America,” Corpus Christi is located on the southeastern coast of Texas. The bay is home to over 200 species of birds, drawing bird watchers from around the world to the area. The subtropical climate causes around 30 inches of rain per year, but the mild winter temps make snowfall a rare occurrence.

3. Fresno, CA 

Located in central California, Fresno is the largest city in the state's Central Valley region, with just over 500,000 residents. Its location near three national parks — Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia — makes it a desirable place to live for outdoor enthusiasts. Occasionally, the city will get trace amounts of snow, but none has been recorded since 2005. 

4. Honolulu, HI

The tropical climate of Honolulu makes the capital city of Hawaii a perfect destination for tourists and new residents who love warm weather. The city of over 350,000 people (over 1 million in the metro area) is known for sunny days and year-round temperatures that range between 68 and 85 degrees. While it averages 0 inches of snow per year, be prepared for about 45 inches of rain annually. 

5. Jacksonville, FL

The Atlantic Coastal city of Jacksonville, Florida, usually has 221 sunny days per year and no snow. Summer high temps hover around 90 degrees, and winter lows rarely drop below 44 degrees. The city of almost 1 million people has one of the largest urban park systems in the nation, making it a popular destination for tourists and golfers with credit to the PGA Tour headquarters in the nearby suburb of Ponte Vedra Beach.

6. Key West, FL

Not only does Key West, Florida, average 0 inches of snow per year, but the city has no record of frost or sleet. The city is also an island — part of the Florida Keys — and is the southernmost city of the contiguous United States. Tourism is popular there, but over 26,000 people call Key West home year-round. Residents enjoy white sand beaches, gorgeous sunsets and snorkeling around the world’s third-largest coral reef near the island. 

7. Las Vegas, NV

Tourism is huge in “Sin City,” and so is sunshine. Las Vegas, Nevada, averages 294 sunny days per year. The desert environment can drop below freezing in the winter, but the dry conditions leave average snowfall at 0 inches and rainfall around 5 inches annually. You might be surprised to learn that Las Vegas is home to only around 640,000 residents within the city limits. With so many entertainment options available, the city gets approximately 3 million visitors per year.

8. Los Angeles, CA

With nearly 4 million people living in the city limits, Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second largest in the U.S. LA is celebrated for more than just movie stars; it’s known for year-round pleasant, sunny weather with temperatures ranging from 48 to 88 degrees. The southern California city is located on the Pacific Coast and has a Mediterranean climate with no measurable snowfall annually. 

9. Mesquite, NV

Mesquite is a small city of around 20,000 people and borders the Arizona State line. It’s only 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Located in the Mojave Desert, winters can get cold with low temperatures of 28 degrees, but the low humidity in the region makes precipitation rare. The city averages only 7 inches of rain annually and 0 inches of snow.

10. Miami, FL

Florida’s second-most populated city is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of the state. Miami is an excellent choice if you want to live near beaches with warm temperatures all year. Summers are hot, and winter temperatures typically range between 70 and 80 degrees. There’s no average snowfall, but you can expect nearly 60 inches of rain each year in the subtropical climate. But don’t worry about the rain interfering with your beach time; Miami averages around 248 sunny days annually.

11. New Orleans, LA  

Located on the Mississippi River Delta upstream from the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is the most populous city in Louisiana, with around 384,000 residents. Devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans has been revitalized recently with significant infrastructure improvements in levees and drainage projects to protect the city. The subtropical climate in the southern Louisiana city brings an average annual rainfall of 64 inches and 0 inches of snow. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 45 degrees. 

12. Orlando, FL

Despite being an inland city in central Florida, Orlando is part of a subtropical climate with high humidity and an average yearly rainfall of around 55 inches. Winter temperatures are generally between 60 and 70 degrees, with no measurable snowfall. The city is popular for tourists — with over 4.4 million visitors per year — mostly because of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studio Orlando. Around 307,000 people call Orlando home, and the greater metropolitan area has over 2.5 million residents.

13. Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is known as the “Valley of the Sun,” so it’s no surprise that snowfall is extremely rare in the desert climate of Arizona’s capital and largest city. There have only been 8 reports of accumulations of 0.1 inches or more in the city since first recorded in the late 1800s. The city boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, so it’s perfect if you don’t want icy weather while you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, bicycling and horseback riding through the desert landscape. 

14. Riverside, CA

Moving to Riverside, California, means plenty of Vitamins C and D. Famous for sweet and zesty navel oranges, the city also boasts 277 days of sunshine each year with no measurable snowfall. Winter temperatures typically stay around 55 degrees. The temperate climate of this birthplace of the California citrus industry makes Riverside a popular destination for people who wish to live inland, and the city is only about 60 miles west of Los Angeles.

15. Sacramento, CA

Located in central California, Sacramento is the state capital, with just under 525,000 people within the city limits. Known as the “City of Trees,” Sacramento was the first city the Arbor Day Foundation designated with the title in 1978. The city has mild temperatures year-round, with winter low temperatures rarely dropping below 39 degrees. Annual average rainfall in Sacramento is around 18 inches — mostly falling in the winter and spring — and snow is rare, with 0 measurable inches each year.

16. San Diego, CA

The year-round pleasant weather in the southern California city of over 1.3 million residents makes it the perfect home for the San Diego Zoo, Sea World San Diego and LEGOLAND California. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 50 degrees, and the city averages 0 inches of snow annually. The average annual rainfall in San Diego is around 12 inches, and residents can expect about 266 sunny days per year.

17. San Francisco, CA

Located on the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in central California, the city is famous for its rolling hills, fog and distinctive architecture. It’s also known for mild yearly temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees with no measurable snowfall. San Francisco is the second-most densely populated large city in the U.S. after New York City, with a population of over 808,000 residents living within 46.9 square miles. 

18. San Jose, CA

San Jose in central California is a great destination if you want to live in a large city with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Winters in San Jose usually have temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees, with most of the city’s annual rainfall of 17 inches falling during the season. Snow is rarely seen in San Jose, with a typical yearly average of 0 inches, but the city has experienced it a handful of times since it was first recorded in the late 1800s. Many tourists flock to San Jose each year to experience the unique culture and public art installations in the “Heart of Silicon Valley.”

19. Tampa, FL

While Tampa, Florida, gets 51 inches of rain each year due to its subtropical climate, the city averages 0 inches of snow annually. Known for its warm, humid summers and mild winters, Tampa boasts an average of 246 sunny days each year. The city of just under 400,000 people is located on the Gulf Coast and is known for white sand beaches that attract millions of tourists from all over the country. 

20. Tucson, AZ

The subtropical desert climate of Tucson, Arizona, means hot summers and mild winters for the city. Winters rarely drop below 40 degrees, and snow is rare, averaging 0 inches per year. Tucson is the second-largest city in the state, with nearly half a million residents, and it is home to the University of Arizona. The city is known for its annual cultural events like the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, the Tucson Festival of Books, the Tucson Folk Festival, and the Tucson Rodeo.

Ready to move to a state with a mild winter?

U-Pack provides long-distance moving through our service centers in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Request a free online quote or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.  

Do you live in a place with mild winters? Tell us about it in the comments!