10+ Hottest Cities in the US Ranked, Based on Temperature [UPDATED]

Where in the United States does it get the hottest? From the arid deserts of the Southwest to the tropical humidity of Florida, extreme temperatures are breaking records across the nation.

Whether you are planning a summer trip, moving to a new state, or simply curious about extreme weather patterns, these sizzling urban areas are worth knowing about.

A list of the hottest cities in the United States

At a Glance: The Hottest Cities in the United States

To give you a quick overview, here is how the top cities rank based on their annual temperature profiles, extreme summer peaks, and historical records:

Deep Dive: Inside the Top 11 Hottest US Cities

1. Phoenix, Arizona

• Record Highest Temperature: 122°F

• Why it’s so hot: Phoenix is home to more than 1.6 million citizens, and its blistering summer climate officially makes it the hottest metropolitan city in the US. The city's geographic location in the rapidly warming Sonoran Desert, combined with an extraordinary number of cloudless days, allows intense solar radiation to bake the region.

Extreme heat in Phoenix

Furthermore, a severe urban heat island effect traps this energy in concrete and asphalt, preventing nighttime cooling.

This infrastructure reality often triggers an intense, long-lasting heat wave that grips the valley for months.

In July 2023, Phoenix shattered records with 31 consecutive days at or above 110°F.

2. Las Vegas, Nevada

• Record Highest Temperature: 117°F

• Why it’s so hot: While Las Vegas is a premier global vacation destination, summer travelers must plan their itineraries around air-conditioned indoor spaces.

The city experiences colder temperatures than Phoenix primarily due to its northern location. However, it continues getting quite hot and warming quickly, particularly at night. 

Situated in the high Mojave Desert, its northern latitude keeps it slightly cooler than Phoenix annually, but it is warming rapidly—particularly after sunset.

The sprawling concrete of the Strip traps daytime radiation, and climate models predict an extra full month of temperatures exceeding 100°F annually by 2050.

Las Vegas is among the hottest cities in US

In 1947, Las Vegas recorded the most days with 100 degrees in a year. Much more recently, it reached a record high temperature of 117 degrees in 2021.

3. Yuma, Arizona

• Record Highest Temperature: 124°F

• Why it’s so hot: Nestled in the heart of the low Sonoran Desert, Yuma experiences staggering daytime highs. However, unlike landlocked desert cities, its close proximity to the tropical Gulf of California adds a layer of humidity to the air, which significantly amplifies physical heat stress.

The city is slightly more humid than other desert cities due to its close proximity to the tropical Gulf of California, which is only 90 miles away. This may worsen heat stress.

Yuma is one of the hottest big cities in the US

Yuma is among the hottest cities in the US, renowned for its agricultural production, particularly for lettuce and other summer crops. 

In fact, winters here are notoriously pleasant and sunny, and the harvest season is a cherished yearly event.

4. McAllen, Texas

• Record Highest Temperature: 111°F

• Why it’s so hot: Located in the Rio Grande Valley, McAllen endures some of the most oppressive summer heat in Texas. This is driven by its low southern latitude, close proximity to the Chihuahuan Desert, and the massive warming influence of the Gulf of Mexico.

However, due to its geography, humidity becomes a significant problem, exacerbating the effects of the already intense heat. 

The relentless moisture from the Gulf creates a heavy humidity blanket, making the ambient air feel substantially hotter than the thermometer dictates.

McAllen has very hot summers

The city has warmed very fast, and 2023 was the second-hottest year on record.   The state frequently experiences continuous 100°F temperatures, with typical highs of 6–12°F above average.

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

• Record Highest Temperature: 95°F

• Why it’s so hot: While Honolulu has never officially recorded a 100-degree day due to tempering ocean breezes, it remains consistently hot year-round.

It never cools off too considerably, even at night, because it has the highest average low temperature and one of the highest average high temperatures.

Because it is a tropical marine climate, it experiences a very narrow temperature range; it rarely cools down significantly at night. Honolulu maintains one of the highest consistent average low temperatures (71°F) in the country.

No 100-degree day has ever been recorded in Honolulu

Despite being one of the hottest cities in the US, Honolulu is well-known for its historical attractions, beaches, and nightlife. 

The ideal seasons to visit the city are usually spring and summer because there is a lot of sunshine and little rain during these seasons. 

Storms from the North Pacific can occasionally graze the city with rain and wind throughout the winter.

6. Riverside, California

• Record Highest Temperature: 118°F

• Why it’s so hot: While Southern California’s coastal zones benefit from the cool Pacific Ocean currents, inland valleys tell a completely different story.

Riverside is separated from the coast by mountain ridges, which block marine air and trap desert heat. As a result, the city regularly faces triple-digit temperatures from June through September, driving its all-time record short of Phoenix.

Summer in Riverside

From March to November, Riverside receives triple-digit temperatures, with an all-time high of 118 degrees.  

This is only a few degrees short of the record high in Phoenix and higher than the record high in Las Vegas.

7. San Antonio, Texas

• Record Highest Temperature: 111°F

• Why it’s so hot: Low terrain, proximity to the humid Gulf Coast, and hot continental air blowing in from Mexico combine to make San Antonio a southern furnace.

In recent years, the frequency of 100-degree days here has tripled compared to thirty years ago. In 2022, the city logged a record-breaking 75 days above the 100°F threshold.

What is the hottest city in the US? San Antonio is an honorable mention due to its hot summers.

Due to its low terrain, close proximity to the warm and humid Gulf Coast, and heat waves from Mexico, San Antonio experiences extreme heat. The urban heat island effect is also an important factor.

Summer in San Antonio

San Antonio established a record for 75 days in a single year in 2022, despite the fact that the average number of days in a summer that exceeds 100 is just 22.

Compared to thirty years ago, the frequency of 100-degree days has increased threefold.

8. Miami, Florida

• Record Highest Temperature: 96°F

• Why it’s so hot: Much like Honolulu, Miami's proximity to the tropics keeps its annual baseline exceptionally warm.

True triple-digit days are incredibly rare on the coast, but the intense Florida humidity frequently pushes summer heat index values (the "real feel" temperature) past 105°F, creating hazardous conditions for anyone outdoors without proper cooling.

In contrast to the southwestern US, southern Florida has lower summer temperatures.

Nevertheless, Miami's closeness to the tropics makes it feel quite hot, particularly for people not used to high humidity.

Miami is also one of the hottest cities in US

Like Honolulu, this city experiences highs and lows throughout the year. Besides, it doesn't have any days that are above 100. 

Miami's humid environment occasionally causes the heat index to reach 105 degrees throughout the summer, even though the city has only seen one triple-digit day on record.

9. Orlando, Florida

• Record Highest Temperature: 103°F

• Why it’s so hot: Unlike coastal Miami, inland Orlando lacks consistent ocean breezes to cool the terrain. This landlocked positioning allows severe heat to sit over the city's theme parks.

From June to September, overnight lows rarely drop below 70°F, offering little atmospheric relief for residents and tourists alike.

Orlando, one of Florida's most famous tourist destinations, is also one of its hottest cities.

In contrast to Miami, Orlando occasionally experiences temperatures above 100 degrees, with a record high of 103 degrees set in the city. 

Orlando is among the hottest cities in Florida

Since it seldom falls below 60 degrees from June to September, overnight temperatures are also often pleasant.

With midday highs in the 70s and midnight lows that seldom fall below 30, Orlando is likewise warm all winter.

10. Tampa, Florida

• Record Highest Temperature: 99°F

• Why it’s so hot: Sitting on the Gulf Coast, Tampa shares a heavily humid climate profile with Miami.

Mild winters keep its annual average high exceptionally elevated. During peak summer, the moist, stagnant air means the regional heat index regularly signals alerts for up to 73 days out of the year.

The city doesn't cool off much at night and remains scorching throughout the summer. The average yearly temperature is further increased by mild winters. 

Tampa has high temperatures

Additionally, even though Tampa's record high temperature is 99 degrees, the humidity may still result in days that seem extremely warm. 

In fact, the heat index may make it "feel like" it's above 100 degrees on up to 73 days of the year.

11. Dallas, Texas

• Record Highest Temperature: 113°F

• Why it’s so hot: Dallas experiences a highly continental climate where southerly winds pull hot, moisture-laden air directly from the Gulf of Mexico.

While its winters can drop below freezing, its summers are brutal. The combination of intense high-pressure atmospheric ridges—often triggered by a regional what is a heat dome —and urban concrete density keeps Dallas locked in extreme summer cycles.

Dallas is close to Fort Worth and well-known for its superb barbecue, football, and cowboy culture.  The city is really hot as well. 

The southerly breezes from the Gulf of Mexico provide the heat, resulting in the humid, moist air that is characteristic of central and southern Texas. 

Dallas is on the list of the hottest cities in the US

Dallas's highest recorded temperature was 113 degrees in 1980. Recently, it had 71 days in 2021 with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in one year.

Furthermore, the city has colder winters with regular below-freezing temperatures, although the summers can be hotter than in San Antonio or Houston.

11. Houston, Texas

• Record Highest Temperature: 109°F

• Why it’s so hot: When evaluating what makes a major metropolitan area endure extreme climate stress, Houston consistently ranks near the top, driven heavily by the intense urban heat island effect. Tropical moisture continuously blowing in from the nearby Gulf of Mexico heavily dictates Houston’s local weather patterns.

What's the hottest city in the US? Houston has a high ranking, especially when considering the effects of urban heat islands.

Tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico significantly affects the weather pattern in Houston and along the coast of Texas.

Another hottest city in US is Houston

This coastal Gulf moisture makes Houston one of the wettest and most humid large cities in the country, averaging over 100 rainy days a year. While the rain brings temporary clouds, the heavy humidity traps the ambient heat on the ground, creating an oppressive summer environment where daytime heat indexes routinely skyrocket past dangerous thresholds.

Staying Safe in America’s Hot Zones

Whether you are a resident or a tourist visiting these sizzling destinations, extreme heat requires serious lifestyle adjustments. Prolonged exposure to high heat indexes can lead to sudden hyperthermia and heat exhaustion.

Make sure to implement essential heat safety tips such as scheduling outdoor activities during early morning hours, wearing UV-protective clothing, and remaining in air-conditioned environments during peak sun hours.

Conclusion

From year-round warmth to record-breaking summer heat, the hottest cities in the US each offer a unique climate experience. Whether it is Phoenix, Las Vegas, Miami, or Honolulu, you should always stay informed when visiting or living in these sizzling cities!