City Climate / Weather Comfort Index
Compare weather comfort metrics between US cities. Analyze hot days, cold days, humidity levels, and overall climate comfort to help plan your relocation.
Compare City Climates
Select a city to see detailed climate comfort metrics including hot days, cold days, humidity levels, and an overall comfort index. Optionally compare with a second city.
Tip: Set your preferred temperature range to customize the comfortable days calculation to match your personal preferences.
Understanding City Climate Comfort
Learn how weather patterns affect daily comfort and what our climate metrics mean for your lifestyle and relocation decisions.
What is Climate Comfort?
Climate comfort refers to how pleasant and livable the weather conditions are in a given location throughout the year. It considers multiple factors including temperature extremes, humidity levels, and the number of days that fall within comfortable ranges.
Our Climate Comfort Index combines these factors into a single score (0-100) that helps you quickly compare the overall weather livability between cities. A higher score indicates more comfortable year-round conditions based on historical averages.
Understanding the Metrics
Hot Days
Days >85°F (29°C)
The number of days per year when the high temperature exceeds 85°F. These are days when air conditioning becomes essential for comfort and outdoor activities may be limited to morning or evening hours.
Very Hot Days
Days >95°F (35°C)
Extreme heat days when temperatures exceed 95°F. These conditions can pose health risks, significantly increase cooling costs, and limit most outdoor activities during peak hours.
Cold Days
Days <40°F (4°C)
Days when the low temperature drops below 40°F. These require heating systems and winter clothing. Light frost may occur, affecting outdoor plans and gardening.
Very Cold Days
Days <20°F (-7°C)
Severe cold days with temperatures below 20°F. These conditions require heavy winter gear, can impact vehicle operation, and significantly increase heating costs.
Humid Days
Days >70% humidity
Days with average relative humidity above 70%. High humidity makes temperatures feel hotter, can cause discomfort, and may affect those with respiratory conditions.
Shoulder Season
Mild spring/fall days
Pleasant days during spring and fall with moderate temperatures (typically 50-75°F). These are ideal for outdoor activities, gardening, and enjoying nature without climate control.
How the Comfort Index Works
Our Overall Comfort Index (0-100) is calculated using a weighted formula that:
- Rewards more comfortable days within your preferred range
- Rewards pleasant shoulder season (spring/fall) days
- Penalizes extreme heat (especially very hot days)
- Penalizes extreme cold (especially very cold days)
- Penalizes high humidity days that affect comfort
The result is a single number that represents the overall weather livability of a city. Scores above 70 indicate excellent year-round comfort, while scores below 40 suggest more challenging climate conditions.
Using This Tool for Relocation Decisions
When considering a move to a new city, climate comfort is one of many factors to evaluate. Here are some tips for using this tool effectively:
Set Your Preferences
Adjust the comfortable temperature range to match your personal preferences. Some people thrive in warmer climates while others prefer cooler temperatures.
Compare Multiple Cities
Use the comparison feature to evaluate how different cities stack up against each other in terms of climate comfort.
Consider Trade-offs
A city with fewer hot days may have more cold days. Think about which extremes you prefer to avoid.
Look Beyond the Index
The comfort index is a starting point. Also consider cost of living, job market, community, and other factors important to you.
Important Limitations
- •Climate data is based on historical averages and may not reflect recent changes or year-to-year variation.
- •Microclimates exist within cities – coastal areas, urban heat islands, and elevation differences affect local conditions.
- •Air quality, sunshine hours, and precipitation are not included in this analysis but may affect your comfort.
- •Personal comfort varies widely – what feels comfortable to one person may not suit another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about climate comfort metrics, data sources, and how to use this tool for relocation planning.
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