10 Hottest Cities in the US – 2023 Update

Because the United States is so large, it spans a lot of environments and temperatures. Some of the lowest temperatures in the United States are far below freezing, whereas some of the hottest cities are well over 100ºF.

Unfortunately, ranking the hottest cities in the United States is challenging. Some lists rank cities based on extreme highs, whereas others may list cities based on the average temperature.

Below, we go over 10 of the hottest cities in the US. The first 10 cities are based entirely on the average temperature, whereas additional 14 cities have extreme highs but lower averages. Keep reading for more.

The 10 Hottest Cities in the US: Quick List

1. Miami, FL
2. Phoenix, AZ
3. Tampa, FL
4. Orlando, FL
5. Tucson, AZ
6. Jacksonville, FL
7. Houston, TX
8. New Orleans, LA
9. Las Vegas, NV
10. Austin, TX

A Closer Look at the 10 Hottest Cities in America

The 10 cities listed below are ranked based on their average temperatures. Some cities may have higher extremes but lower averages. So, these cities tend to be the hottest on a daily basis.

1. Miami, FL

First up on our list is Miami, a major coastal city located in Southeast Florida. It is located close to the tip of the state, making it one of the most southern cities in the nation. Due to its location, it gets very hot.

During the summer, temperatures can be miserable in Miami. Not only are they hot, but they are incredibly humid. During the winter, the temperature and humidity drop. In between the two seasons is fall, which is generally hurricane season. In other words, this city never gets a break in terms of weather and climate.

2. Phoenix, AZ

The runner-up for the hottest city in the United States is Phoenix. Phoenix has an average temperature just one degree lower than Miami. Depending on where you look, many sites list Phoenix as the hottest city in the nation.

Although Phoenix is second to Miami in terms of average temperature, it is the hottest city in terms of how frequently it sees temperatures of 100ºF or more. In fact, Phoenix has around 111 days each year that are at least 100ºF. Needless to say, you have to love heat to live in Phoenix.

3. Tampa, FL

Tampa is right up there with Miami and Phoenix. Tampa is on the gulf side of the state, and it has an average temperature just one degree lower than Phoenix. Much like the rest of Florida, Tampa primarily has a very humid environment, although the humidity drops during the winter.

Because Tampa is located on the western coast of Florida, you might think that it is more susceptible to hurricanes than Miami. Surprisingly, that is not the case. Tampa is located just around cities that always get hit by hurricanes. Still, Tampa doesn’t get near as much damage as the other cities.

4. Orlando, FL

If you haven’t figured it out by now, Florida is one of the most miserable states if you don’t like the heat. Unfortunately, Orlando is another of the hottest cities in the United States that happens to be located in Florida.

Unlike Miami and Tampa, which are both coastal cities, Orlando is landlocked. It is practically smack dab in the middle of the state. It is incredibly humid, and it’s landlocked, urban design does not make it any less humid or hot. At least Orlando is home to several popular family resorts, such as Disney World and Universal.

5. Tucson, AZ

Tucson is a lot like Phoenix. The average temperature might be slightly lower than the Florida cities, but it gets insanely hot and stays that way most of the year. Much like Phoenix, Tucson is over 90ºF on a regular basis.

Another way that both Phoenix and Tucson are different from Florida cities is in their humidity—or lack thereof. Instead of being humid and hot, Tucson is dry and hot. Tucson gets most of its humidity during December, which also happens to be the coldest month of the year.

6. Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville is one of the most northern cities in Florida, but it is also one of the hottest. It lies on the state’s eastern side and is only one county below the Florida Georgia Line.

Jacksonville has a humid subtropical climate. Its summers are incredibly hot and humid. The winters get a bit drier and are milder. Intense downpours are common because of the city’s subtropical nature, but at least Jacksonville is not often in the way of hurricanes. The city has only been directly hit by a hurricane once, and that was back in 1871.

7. Houston, TX

Finally, we have a city not located in Arizona or Florida. Houston, Texas is the seventh hottest city in the nation. It is tied with Jacksonville in terms of its average temperature. It is also similar to Jacksonville and its climate.

Houston sees a lot of rain. As a result, the city frequently floods during the monsoon season. Thunderstorms and tornadoes are also common in the area, as are tropical cyclones during the hurricane season.

8. New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is located in Southern Louisiana, making it an incredibly hot and humid location. Like Houston and Jacksonville, the average temperature in New Orleans is 71ºF. It also is terribly humid year-round.

Unfortunately, New Orleans gets hit with a lot of other climate issues. The city is historically vulnerable to flooding and is often severely affected by hurricanes. In 2005, over 80% of the town was affected by Hurricane Katrina. Flooding and climate-related issues continue to be a pressing problem in the area.

9. Las Vegas, NV

Even though Las Vegas is a major city, it has an extreme, subtropical-desert climate. The city lies within the Mojave Desert. The summers are insanely hot and long-lasting, while the winters tend to be short and mild.

Las Vegas is not a good city for those who love humidity and moisture. This city is one of the driest and hottest in the country. Most of the time, the humidity remains below 10%, and the days are sunny and beautiful.

Las Vegas also has a lot of days that climb above 100ºF. On average, it has 78 days above 100ºF, making it number two to Phoenix in this regard.

10. Austin, TX

The tenth hottest city in the United States based on average temperature is Austin, Texas. Austin is tied with Las Vegas based on average temperature. The average temperature is 70ºF.

Austin, Texas is a weird city in terms of climate. It lies on the border between the desert and the subtropical areas of Texas. It generally has a humid, subtropical climate, but it isn’t quite as humid as Houston and other cities in the state.

Although Austin is tenth on this list, it is third in terms of how frequently the city sees temperatures above 100ºF. It comes in third after Phoenix and Las Vegas with 29 days above 100ºF.

What Are Other Hot Cities in the US?

Above, we learned about the 10 hottest cities based on the average temperature. Looking at the average temperature is not the only way to determine the hottest cities in the United States. Another popular way is to look at how many days the city sees temperatures above 100ºF on average.

Based on that stipulation, here are the 14 hottest cities in the United States:

In other words, although the 10 cities listed above are hotter on average, you might feel as though these 14 cities are hotter simply because they reach over 100°F more frequently.

How to Stay Safe in Hot Climates

Whether you live in one of the cities listed above or are out and about in your own hometown, staying safe in the heat is essential. Although the heat is certainly enjoyable for some outdoor activities, it can be dangerous. Here’s what you need to do to stay safe even when it’s hot:

Stay Hydrated

Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Try to avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine, or sugar because these ingredients will dehydrate you. Stick to plain water or herbal tea instead.

If you have any pets, ensure that they have all the water they need to stay hydrated. Since they have fur, it’s very easy for pets to experience heat stroke.

Protect Yourself From the Sun

The sun is dangerous for our skin. It’s imperative to protect your skin at all times, especially when it is hot. Use sunscreen on all visible skin. Try to stay out of direct sunlight and wear hats or sunglasses or stand under umbrellas to further protect yourself.

Know When to See a Doctor

If you are experiencing signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, it’s imperative to act quickly. If you are feeling confused, having trouble concentrating, and sweating profusely, you might be experiencing heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately.

Related Read: 10 Coldest Cities in the US: What You Need To Know

Final Thoughts

If you live in one of the cities above, more power to you. You live in some of the hottest cities in the United States. Whether you live in these cities or are just visiting, come prepared so you can protect yourself from heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

See Also: 

• The 15 Hottest Cities in Europe
• 10 Hottest Cities in India

Featured Image Credit: Sean Pavone, Shutterstock