What's the coldest state to live in?
Asked by: Mrs. Lizeth Considine DDS | Last update: January 31, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (16 votes)
Alaska is unequivocally the coldest U.S. state, with the lowest average annual temperatures, long frigid winters, and the nation's record low of -80°F, followed by North Dakota, Minnesota, Maine, and Wyoming as the next coldest states, all known for harsh, snowy winters.
What is the coldest state in the USA?
Alaska is the coldest state in the USA by a significant margin, with an average annual temperature around 28.1°F, far below any other state, followed by North Dakota, Minnesota, Maine, and Wyoming as the next coldest. Alaska holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. at -80°F in Prospect Creek in 1971.
What state stays 70 degrees year round?
1. San Diego, California. San Diego is the poster child for pleasant weather year-round. This Southern California city enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with average high temperatures of 65 to 77 F (18 to 25 C) throughout the year.
What state has the worst winters?
Alaska generally has the worst winters due to extreme cold, darkness, and long duration, while North Dakota and Minnesota are contenders for the harshest in the contiguous U.S. with brutal temperatures, high winds, and heavy snow, often combined with lake-effect snow in Michigan and Wisconsin. The "worst" depends on whether you prioritize extreme cold (Alaska), consistent heavy snow (Minnesota/Michigan), or blizzards (North Dakota).
Is Minnesota colder than Alaska?
Top 5 coldest:
North Dakota: 13.2°F (-10.5°C) Minnesota: 17.1°F (-8.3°C) South Dakota: 18.8°F (-7.3°C) Alaska: 19.6°F (-6.9°C)
Top 10 Coldest States to Live in America (You’re Wrong About #1)
Is Montana or Wisconsin colder?
Below Here are the 10 coldest states in the United States ranked by average monthly temperature with the coldest temperature ever recorded for each state.
- Alaska.
- North Dakota.
- Maine.
- Minnesota.
- Wyoming.
- Montana.
- Vermont.
- Wisconsin.
What's the coldest city in America?
Fairbanks, Alaska, is consistently ranked as the coldest major city in the U.S. due to its frigid, long winters with average January temperatures well below zero and record lows reaching -66°F, influenced by its valley location trapping cold Arctic air. Other very cold cities include Grand Forks, North Dakota; Anchorage, Alaska; and International Falls, Minnesota (the "Icebox of the Nation").
What states have no winter?
We've also included two notable cities in each state that typically record no snowfall.
- Hawaii. Hawaii's tropical climate allows for beautiful beaches and year-round warm temperatures. ...
- Florida. ...
- Louisiana. ...
- Alabama. ...
- Mississippi. ...
- Georgia. ...
- Texas. ...
- South Carolina.
What is the hottest US state?
Florida is consistently ranked as the hottest U.S. state by average annual temperature, due to its humid subtropical and tropical climates that keep temperatures high year-round, unlike desert states where extreme highs are offset by cooler nights. Louisiana, Texas, and Hawaii are also among the hottest, with Florida experiencing particularly oppressive, muggy heat due to its location and surrounding ocean currents.
What state has perfect weather all year?
California, particularly its southern coastal areas like San Diego and Los Angeles, is often cited for the best year-round weather due to mild temperatures, abundant sunshine (around 300 days), and low humidity, with minimal extreme heat or cold. Hawaii also offers consistently warm, tropical weather with trade winds, while Arizona provides sunshine with low humidity but can get very hot, and Florida offers warmth but with humidity and hurricane risk.
Where to live if you hate summer?
Where in the U.S. Does It Stay Cool in the Summer?
- Upper Peninsula, Michigan. Lakes, quaint towns, and cool temperatures. ...
- Breckenridge, Colorado. Most of us think of skiing when we think of Breckenridge. ...
- Seattle, Washington. ...
- San Francisco, California. ...
- Block Island, Rhode Island.
Is it cheaper to live in colder states?
Cold states often have more affordable housing than crowded warm-weather markets. This affordability offers access to larger homes and scenic environments at lower costs. Smaller cold-climate communities also tend to have a lower cost of living, making them attractive to families on a budget.
Which state has the most snow?
Alaska is generally considered the snowiest U.S. state by average annual snowfall, with some sources citing around 79.6 inches, though specific cities like Valdez can see over 279 inches; however, for contiguous states, Michigan, New York, and New England states like Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont also receive massive amounts, often due to lake-effect snow or mountainous terrain.
What state has the best cold weather?
The order is based on the official NOAA climate divisions and includes every coldest state in USA that averages below twenty-two degrees in that period.
- Alaska. Alaska is the coldest state in the USA. ...
- North Dakota. ...
- Minnesota. ...
- Maine. ...
- Wyoming. ...
- Montana. ...
- Vermont. ...
- Wisconsin.
What state ranks #1 in tornadoes?
Texas. Texas experiences the highest number of tornadoes annually. The National Weather Service and NOAA report that the state sees an average of over 155 tornadoes per year. Central Texas is particularly active, with tornado activity driven by warm Gulf air clashing with cold air from the north.
What state has the safest climate?
The Northeast offers better prospects, particularly Vermont and New Hampshire, which rank as the two safest states from climate change. Vermont stands out as a haven – free from wildfires, extreme heat, and hurricanes.
What was the worst state in the United States?
With poor education and infrastructure, Louisiana ranked worst state by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report has released a list of the "Best States for 2025," in which all 50 states are ranked.
Where in the US does it never freeze?
Most locations in Hawaii are genuinely tropical and never experience frost. The temperature in Honolulu only rarely drops below 60 degrees. The other frost-free place in the United States is the central and southern parts of the Florida Keys.
Where should I live if I love snow?
For snow lovers, consider the snowy states of Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, Michigan (UP), New York (Upstate), Montana, and Alaska, with specific cities like Minneapolis, Buffalo, Anchorage, Fargo, Bozeman, or Denver offering abundant snowfall and winter activities, ranging from ski resorts to cultural festivals, though some areas offer more extreme cold than others. Consider your preference for city amenities versus smaller towns and the type of snow (e.g., lake effect vs. mountain snow) when choosing, with locations like Japan's Niigata Prefecture (Aomori City) offering extreme snow worldwide.
What US state has the hardest winter?
Alaska and Minnesota share the crown for the harshest winters in the US.
Where is it 50-70 degrees year-round in the United States?
For temperatures consistently in the 50s and 70s year-round in the U.S., your best bets are the Southern California Coast (like San Diego, Carlsbad) and parts of the Pacific Northwest Coast (like Fort Bragg, Eureka), which offer mild oceanic climates with less extreme swings; Hawaii also provides tropical warmth, while specific inland locations or high-elevation spots in warmer states can offer cooler, but still moderate, conditions.
What clothing is best for extreme cold?
Think of it this way: the more insulation you have, the better, especially in severe cold. So, instead of sticking to a single middle layer, combine different types like fleece, softshell jackets, or light down jackets.
What is the 3 coldest state in the US?
While rankings vary slightly by source and metric (like average annual vs. winter temps), Minnesota is frequently cited as the 3rd coldest state in the U.S., typically following Alaska and North Dakota, known for its extremely cold, long winters. Other states like Wyoming, Montana, and Maine also rank highly in coldness.