Everyone wants a bit of a blissful breeze or a scoop of sunny sanctuary when looking for a place to live in North Carolina.
The more sun, the more you can go outside. The more you go outside, the more you’ll feel at peace. The more you’ll feel at peace, the more you’ll enjoy where you live.
So it makes sense to try and find the places with the best weather in North Carolina. We used Saturday Night Science to compare the number of sunny days, total precipitation, and the deviation from the ideal 70-degree weather for 86 places in North Carolina over 10,000 people.
Grab your shades and put away your raincoat as we look at the cities with the best weather in North Carolina.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table
The 10 Cities With The Best Weather In North Carolina For 2024
What city has the best weather in North Carolina, with more than 10,000 people? The city with the best weather in North Carolina is Gastonia with 1.4 sunny days and an average high of 71.4 degrees.
Read on below to see where your city ranked.
And if you already knew these places were beautiful, check out the best places to live in North Carolina or the cheapest places in North Carolina.
The 10 Snowiest Cities In North Carolina For 2024
Population: 73,211
Average Annual High: 71.4 degrees
Average Annual Low: 49.2 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 1.4 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 42.8 inches
Sunny Days: 296.0 days
More on Gastonia: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 13,924
Average Annual High: 71.7 degrees
Average Annual Low: 49.1 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 1.3 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 42.5 inches
Sunny Days: 296.5 days
More on Mount Holly: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 10,387
Average Annual High: 71.5 degrees
Average Annual Low: 49.5 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 2.0 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 42.5 inches
Sunny Days: 294.4 days
More on Belmont: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 792,137
Average Annual High: 71.4 degrees
Average Annual Low: 49.8 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 2.5 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 43.4 inches
Sunny Days: 294.6 days
More on Charlotte: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 26,866
Average Annual High: 70.8 degrees
Average Annual Low: 48.2 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 2.3 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 43.7 inches
Sunny Days: 296.5 days
More on Cornelius: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 24,545
Average Annual High: 71.4 degrees
Average Annual Low: 49.7 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 2.5 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 43.5 inches
Sunny Days: 294.4 days
More on Mint Hill: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 29,352
Average Annual High: 71.4 degrees
Average Annual Low: 50.3 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 2.4 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 44.3 inches
Sunny Days: 291.7 days
More on Matthews: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 16,123
Average Annual High: 73.1 degrees
Average Annual Low: 50.7 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 0.9 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 46.3 inches
Sunny Days: 298.0 days
More on Hope Mills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 50,433
Average Annual High: 71.0 degrees
Average Annual Low: 48.4 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 2.3 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 43.5 inches
Sunny Days: 291.3 days
More on Huntersville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Population: 11,765
Average Annual High: 71.0 degrees
Average Annual Low: 48.3 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 2.6 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 43.9 inches
Sunny Days: 294.4 days
More on Davidson: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
How We Determined The Cities In North Carolina With The Best Weather
To rank the most fair weather cities in North Carolina, we used Saturday Night Science and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) database, to see which cities in the Tar Heel State get the best weather.
We used the following criteria to find the best weather:
- Number of sunny days
- Highest average low
- Average high deviation from 70 degrees
- Least amount of rain
- Least amount of snow
We ranked each city of over 10,000 people in North Carolina from best to worst on each criterion. We then averaged each ranking into a weather quality index. The city with the best index, Gastonia, was anointed the city with the best weather in North Carolina.
Before we get too far, here are the annual precipitation rates for major cities:
- Charlotte — 43.4 inches
- Raleigh — 45.6 inches
- Greensboro — 43.8 inches
The cities with the best weather in North Carolina are Gastonia, Mount Holly, Belmont, Charlotte, Cornelius, Mint Hill, Matthews, Hope Mills, Huntersville, and Davidson.
There’s a complete chart at the bottom.
If you’re curious, here are the places with the worst weather in North Carolina:
- Hendersonville
- Boone
- Mount Airy
For more North Carolina reading, check out:
- Richest Cities In North Carolina
- Best Places To Raise A Family In North Carolina
- Best Places To Live In North Carolina
Detailed List Of Places With The Best Weather In North Carolina
| Rank | City | Population | Sunny Days | Avg. High | Precipitation (Inches) | Snow (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gastonia | 73,211 | 296.0 | 71.4 | 42.8 | 1.4 |
| 2 | Mount Holly | 13,924 | 296.5 | 71.7 | 42.5 | 1.3 |
| 3 | Belmont | 10,387 | 294.4 | 71.5 | 42.5 | 2.0 |
| 4 | Charlotte | 792,137 | 294.6 | 71.4 | 43.4 | 2.5 |
| 5 | Cornelius | 26,866 | 296.5 | 70.8 | 43.7 | 2.3 |
| 6 | Mint Hill | 24,545 | 294.4 | 71.4 | 43.5 | 2.5 |
| 7 | Matthews | 29,352 | 291.7 | 71.4 | 44.3 | 2.4 |
| 8 | Hope Mills | 16,123 | 298.0 | 73.1 | 46.3 | 0.9 |
| 9 | Huntersville | 50,433 | 291.3 | 71.0 | 43.5 | 2.3 |
| 10 | Davidson | 11,765 | 294.4 | 71.0 | 43.9 | 2.6 |
| 11 | Laurinburg | 15,694 | 300.6 | 73.6 | 45.2 | 1.6 |
| 12 | Stallings | 14,495 | 291.3 | 71.3 | 44.6 | 3.3 |
| 13 | Burlington | 52,241 | 292.3 | 70.6 | 44.5 | 2.5 |
| 14 | Indian Trail | 35,602 | 294.4 | 71.6 | 44.9 | 3.2 |
| 15 | Fayetteville | 202,521 | 291.7 | 72.7 | 46.0 | 1.6 |
| 16 | Waxhaw | 11,586 | 291.3 | 72.2 | 44.5 | 2.2 |
| 17 | Salisbury | 33,653 | 295.6 | 70.8 | 42.1 | 3.7 |
| 18 | Mooresville | 34,930 | 291.3 | 70.4 | 43.9 | 3.4 |
| 19 | Henderson | 15,311 | 289.6 | 69.8 | 44.3 | 2.5 |
| 20 | Spring Lake | 13,336 | 291.7 | 72.7 | 46.3 | 2.2 |
| 21 | Elizabeth City | 18,111 | 285.8 | 70.7 | 47.6 | 0.7 |
| 22 | Greensboro | 279,427 | 292.8 | 69.6 | 43.8 | 5.7 |
| 23 | Weddington | 10,091 | 291.2 | 72.0 | 45.2 | 2.5 |
| 24 | Rocky Mount | 56,642 | 290.8 | 71.3 | 46.2 | 1.6 |
| 25 | Kernersville | 23,617 | 294.4 | 69.1 | 44.1 | 4.9 |
| 26 | Graham | 14,468 | 291.6 | 70.7 | 44.9 | 2.6 |
| 27 | Sanford | 28,988 | 292.7 | 72.0 | 46.3 | 2.2 |
| 28 | Clemmons | 19,340 | 292.8 | 70.3 | 43.8 | 5.6 |
| 29 | Clayton | 17,869 | 291.3 | 71.4 | 46.4 | 2.4 |
| 30 | High Point | 108,031 | 288.9 | 69.7 | 44.6 | 3.9 |
| 31 | Concord | 83,903 | 293.0 | 71.6 | 45.0 | 3.7 |
| 32 | Kannapolis | 44,520 | 291.9 | 71.1 | 44.6 | 3.8 |
| 33 | Morrisville | 21,726 | 293.9 | 70.8 | 45.3 | 4.7 |
| 34 | Wake Forest | 34,786 | 290.2 | 70.8 | 45.0 | 3.1 |
| 35 | Reidsville | 14,191 | 294.1 | 69.7 | 45.1 | 6.8 |
| 36 | Asheboro | 25,897 | 290.5 | 70.4 | 45.4 | 4.1 |
| 37 | Southern Pines | 13,018 | 292.3 | 72.2 | 46.9 | 2.5 |
| 38 | Holly Springs | 28,640 | 287.4 | 70.5 | 46.4 | 3.0 |
| 39 | Monroe | 33,951 | 287.8 | 72.1 | 45.7 | 2.3 |
| 40 | Albemarle | 15,969 | 294.4 | 72.4 | 46.5 | 2.5 |
| 41 | Lincolnton | 10,696 | 291.7 | 70.7 | 46.7 | 3.6 |
| 42 | Lumberton | 21,721 | 288.8 | 73.6 | 47.4 | 0.3 |
| 43 | Durham | 246,084 | 290.7 | 70.7 | 45.5 | 3.5 |
| 44 | Winston-Salem | 236,642 | 290.7 | 69.7 | 44.1 | 6.2 |
| 45 | Raleigh | 432,520 | 290.9 | 71.0 | 45.6 | 3.7 |
| 46 | Knightdale | 13,243 | 289.0 | 71.3 | 46.0 | 2.8 |
| 47 | Cary | 151,186 | 290.0 | 70.7 | 46.2 | 4.1 |
| 48 | Kinston | 21,540 | 290.2 | 72.9 | 49.1 | 1.4 |
| 49 | Thomasville | 27,084 | 287.1 | 70.3 | 44.5 | 4.1 |
| 50 | Smithfield | 11,562 | 289.0 | 72.2 | 46.8 | 1.8 |
| 51 | Kings Mountain | 10,792 | 291.7 | 71.3 | 46.4 | 3.7 |
| 52 | Lexington | 19,129 | 291.2 | 71.3 | 43.6 | 4.1 |
| 53 | Eden | 15,483 | 287.4 | 69.7 | 43.7 | 4.0 |
| 54 | Archdale | 11,396 | 287.1 | 70.4 | 45.1 | 3.6 |
| 55 | Mebane | 13,309 | 287.4 | 70.7 | 45.2 | 2.7 |
| 56 | Lewisville | 13,212 | 289.7 | 69.7 | 44.5 | 6.3 |
| 57 | Fuquay-Varina | 21,399 | 288.7 | 71.4 | 46.0 | 3.0 |
| 58 | Murraysville | 14,844 | 287.4 | 73.3 | 57.1 | 1.0 |
| 59 | Wilmington | 111,998 | 287.6 | 73.4 | 57.1 | 1.1 |
| 60 | Shelby | 20,245 | 294.7 | 71.2 | 48.1 | 3.5 |
| 61 | Garner | 27,160 | 288.1 | 71.4 | 46.3 | 2.9 |
| 62 | Leland | 16,122 | 287.9 | 74.0 | 56.5 | 0.9 |
| 63 | Pinehurst | 15,313 | 289.6 | 72.1 | 47.2 | 2.5 |
| 64 | Havelock | 20,729 | 285.7 | 72.8 | 56.2 | 1.4 |
| 65 | Wilson | 49,478 | 287.1 | 71.8 | 46.7 | 1.8 |
| 66 | Piney Green | 13,738 | 285.2 | 73.1 | 55.8 | 1.2 |
| 67 | Apex | 42,220 | 290.6 | 70.9 | 46.5 | 3.8 |
| 68 | Harrisburg | 13,883 | 284.3 | 71.7 | 44.6 | 3.1 |
| 69 | Greenville | 88,598 | 289.7 | 72.5 | 48.9 | 3.0 |
| 70 | Jacksonville | 68,315 | 284.3 | 73.2 | 55.5 | 1.2 |
| 71 | Statesville | 25,443 | 285.0 | 70.1 | 44.8 | 4.4 |
| 72 | Chapel Hill | 58,766 | 288.6 | 70.7 | 46.6 | 3.6 |
| 73 | Roanoke Rapids | 15,557 | 287.1 | 70.7 | 46.4 | 3.4 |
| 74 | Summerfield | 10,622 | 287.1 | 69.2 | 43.9 | 6.4 |
| 75 | Tarboro | 11,292 | 288.4 | 71.8 | 45.4 | 4.6 |
| 76 | New Bern | 30,218 | 283.4 | 73.5 | 52.9 | 1.6 |
| 77 | Carrboro | 20,639 | 288.6 | 70.7 | 46.8 | 3.7 |
| 78 | Goldsboro | 35,952 | 288.6 | 72.8 | 47.4 | 3.7 |
| 79 | Newton | 12,980 | 281.9 | 70.6 | 46.0 | 4.5 |
| 80 | Hickory | 40,172 | 280.2 | 69.7 | 46.7 | 4.9 |
| 81 | Lenoir | 17,978 | 260.0 | 69.9 | 48.0 | 4.8 |
| 82 | Morganton | 16,748 | 260.0 | 70.7 | 48.1 | 4.1 |
| 83 | Asheville | 86,789 | 283.7 | 66.6 | 40.6 | 12.0 |
| 84 | Mount Airy | 10,391 | 284.4 | 68.8 | 47.2 | 9.9 |
| 85 | Boone | 17,966 | 291.8 | 61.1 | 54.7 | 37.1 |
| 86 | Hendersonville | 13,457 | 288.6 | 66.6 | 55.4 | 8.1 |
