Want to live in a place with mild winters?

If shoveling snow is one of your least favorite activities, you probably shouldn’t live in Vermont, Maine or New Hampshire, which average over 70 inches per year. But where should you live if you prefer milder winters? Southern states are usually the way to go if you don’t dream of a white holiday season. Keep reading to learn which states have warmer temperatures and little amounts of snow. 

10 U.S. states with the least snowfall per year

According to the National Weather Service, the following states typically average the least snowfall per year:

Hawaii

While winter can be rainy in Hawaii, most of the state won’t drop below 75 degrees Fahrenheit for daytime highs during the season. But while the average snowfall per year in Hawaii is basically zero, there are three places that can get up to 8 inches per year — the mountain peaks of Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Haleakala. Winter weather in these areas happens mostly during Hawaii’s wet season of December – February. 

Florida

The Sunshine State is known for warm weather, so it’s not surprising that snowfall is extremely rare. Winters in Florida are usually among the mildest in the U.S. with temperatures averaging between the low 60s and the mid-70s. 

Louisiana

Snow is rare in Louisiana’s tropical climate. While the climate is wet, the temperature typically won’t drop below freezing during the winter. The southern region of the state rarely gets snow, and the northern parts are more likely to receive light dustings, with an average of only one-quarter inch of snow per year.  

Alabama

Like Louisiana, northern Alabama is most likely to get winter precipitation, but the state only averages just over one-half inch. Alabama winters tend to be mild with low temperatures averaging just above freezing during its coldest month of January.

Mississippi 

Winters in the Magnolia State are typically short and mild with snowfall averaging less than 1 inch per year. Areas around the Gulf coast have higher average temperatures, while northern Mississippi is more likely to experience some snow.

Georgia 

Just like the previous southern states on our list, Georgia also experiences colder winter temperatures in the northern region and warmer weather in the southern part. Typical daytime highs for the season are 50 – 60 degrees with lows in the 30s. Snow in the Peach State averages less than 1 inch each year. 

Texas

While you can expect annual snowfall in northern Texas, the state averages less than 2 inches yearly. Central and southern Texas are known for mild winters with high temperatures in the mid-60s. The winter storm of February 2021 was a rare occurrence for the Lone Star State.

South Carolina

The coast of South Carolina is a great place to live if you want less than an inch of measurable snow annually. The whole state averages less than 2 inches per year with its subtropical humid climate. Winters are mild with high temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the upper 60s, with lows teetering around the freezing mark. 

California

It might be surprising to learn the Golden State averages almost 4 inches of snow each year, but it’s true mostly because of the mountains in the Sierra Nevada region. Most of California experiences mild winters with little to no snowfall, especially the areas near the Pacific Ocean coastline. State residents outside the mountain regions can expect average winter high temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees.

Arkansas

The Natural State is a great place to live if you love being outside to experience mountains, lakes and forests. Arkansas also averages less than 5 inches of snow per year, mostly in the northern parts of the state. Winter highs are generally 40 – 50 degrees with lows of 20 – 30 with little icy precipitation.

Cities known for no snow

Need more options as you figure out where to live? Here are some cities to consider for little-to-no flurries.

Phoenix, Arizona

Snow in Arizona’s capital and largest city is extremely rare with only 8 reports of accumulations of 0.1 inches or more 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.

Mesquite, Nevada

A small city of just over 20,000 people, Mesquite borders the Arizona State line and is only 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Located in the Mohave Desert, winters can get cold with low temperatures of 28 degrees. While the city averages 7 inches of rain per year, it gets no snow.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

People living in Puerto Rico’s capital city can expect a warm, wet climate with temperatures of 75 – 85 degrees all year. Residents won’t need to shovel anything other than sand for sandcastles from one of San Juan’s multiple public beaches because the city gets no snow.

Ready to move?

U-Pack provides long-distance moving services in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. With over 240 service centers throughout the U.S., U-Pack can help no matter where you want to live! Request your free online quote or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to one of our helpful moving consultants.  

Do you live in a place with no snow? Tell us about it in the comments!