Some folks want sunny climate, others just like the rain. Whereas sunnier cities have been fashionable migration locations for the previous few years, rainier cities are sometimes extra reasonably priced and have many advantages, together with cleaner, better-smelling air and plush nature.
So, in the event you’re contemplating transferring to a brand new space however aren’t positive the place to decide on, we’re right here to assist. Whether or not you want the solar and are on the lookout for locations to keep away from, or love the rain and snow and simply need extra, we’ve compiled a listing of the rainiest cities within the U.S. that will help you transfer with confidence. Learn on to be taught extra and uncover if one in every of these cities is best for you.
What’s wet climate?
Earlier than diving into the rainiest cities, let’s outline our phrases. There are two methods to calculate whether or not a metropolis is wet:
This could create confusion. For instance, some cities see a whole bunch of days with measurable precipitation however have decrease rainfall totals, whereas others see plenty of solar and obtain big quantities of rain.
So, for our functions of figuring out the “rainiest” cities, this listing will give attention to cities that obtain probably the most days with measurable precipitation. Afterward, we’ll additionally go over the cities with the very best annual rainfall totals.
Preserve studying to see Redfin’s rankings of the rainiest cities within the U.S.
What are the rainiest cities within the U.S.?
1. Syracuse, New York
- Common annual wet days: 172 days
- Common annual precipitation: 38.47 inches
The rainiest metropolis within the U.S. is Syracuse, NY, seeing rain or snow on almost half of the times annually. Identified for its white winters, Syracuse can be the snowiest main metropolitan space within the nation, receiving round 130 inches of snow per 12 months. A notoriously cloudy, chilly, however full of life metropolis, Syracuse is a hub for training, leisure, and recreation.
Syracuse is so moist due to its location close to the Nice Lakes. It’s because colder air that enters the area from the west or northwest travels east over the comparatively hotter lakes, turning into rain or snow. That is known as “lake impact” precipitation. Syracuse is simply east of Lake Ontario, so it sees this sample ceaselessly. Robust lake impact snowstorms are additionally an indicator of the area within the winter. Summer season is the driest time of 12 months.
When you’re contemplating shopping for a house in Syracuse, NY, you’ll discover that the median dwelling sale worth is round $160,000, nicely beneath the nationwide common. Or, in the event you’re considering of renting an house, the typical month-to-month hire worth for a one-bedroom house is about $1,050.
2. Buffalo, New York
- Common annual wet days: 167 days
- Common annual precipitation: 40.48 inches
Buffalo is the second rainiest metropolis within the US. Whereas it may be dreary in the course of the winter and spring, there’s rather a lot to like in regards to the metropolis. It’s often known as the Metropolis of Good Neighbors, and has well-known craft beer, historic structure, sports activities groups, and bountiful nature.
Town primarily receives precipitation from the Nice Lakes, however typically in bigger portions than the close by cities of Syracuse and Rochester. Lake impact snow is very widespread right here within the winter, particularly within the Southtowns, generally dropping greater than six toes of snow in a single storm. Winters are typically moist, whereas summers are pretty dry.
Wish to transfer to the world? Shopping for a house in Buffalo will price a mean of $200,000, which is beneath the nationwide common. When you’re considering of renting an house, the month-to-month hire worth for a one-bedroom house averages $1,380.
Study extra about residing in Buffalo.
3. Erie, Pennsylvania
- Common annual wet days: 162 days
- Common annual precipitation: 42.16 inches
Positioned on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Erie, PA is a good spot for rain lovers. This Rust Belt metropolis is filled with sights and landmarks, and is thought for its pure harbors, lovely parks, and wealthy industrial historical past.
Much like different close by cities, a lot of the world’s rain and snow comes from lake-effect storms, that are extra highly effective the additional east you go. Erie receives almost 13 inches extra rainfall than the contiguous U.S. nationwide common of 29.94 inches. It additionally sees pretty constant rain all year long, though it’s wetter within the winter and spring and driest in the summertime.
When you’re contemplating shopping for a house in Erie, PA, you’ll discover that the median dwelling sale worth is about $125,000, lower than half the nationwide common. Or, in the event you’re contemplating renting an house, count on the typical worth for a one-bedroom house to be round $1,200.
Study extra about residing in Erie.
4. Rochester, New York
- Common annual wet days: 162 days
- Common annual precipitation: 34.27 inches
The final of the Upstate cities, Rochester is the fourth rainiest metropolis within the US. Often called each the “Flour Metropolis” and the “Flower Metropolis” for its historical past of flour and seed manufacturing, Rochester is a gateway to the remainder of the state. Inside 400 miles of 14 states, main metropolitan areas, the well-known Finger Lakes Area, and the Seaway Path scenic byway, you’re positive to seek out one thing to like right here.
Like different close by cities, Rochester sees most of its precipitation from the Nice Lakes, and is vulnerable to robust lake impact snowstorms. Nonetheless, it sees much less rain than Buffalo and Rochester attributable to its extra japanese location and funky, thunderstorm-killing air.
If transferring to Rochester sounds interesting, you’ll discover the median dwelling sale worth to be $175,000, far beneath the nationwide common. When you’re seeking to hire an house, the typical price of a one-bedroom house is $1,505.
Study extra about residing in Rochester.
5. Akron, Ohio
- Common annual wet days: 156 days
- Common annual precipitation: 39.62 inches
Often called the Rubber Capital of the World, Akron is a small Northern Ohio metropolis with a giant footprint. The city is dwelling to varied sights, together with well-known performing arts facilities, robust industries, and plentiful nature. Town was traditionally recognized for its airship improvement.
Akron receives quite a lot of precipitation from close by Lake Erie, though lower than cities additional northeast. Different rain often comes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Shopping for a house in Akron will price a mean of $130,000, which is lower than half the nationwide common. When you’re considering of renting an house, the month-to-month hire worth for a one-bedroom house averages $1,380.
Study extra about residing in Akron.
6. Cleveland, Ohio
- Common annual wet days: 156 days
- Common annual precipitation: 39.14 inches
Positioned simply north of Akron on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland, OH, is the sixth rainiest metropolis within the US. Identified for its museums, pure magnificence, and sports activities tradition, Cleveland is usually a fantastic place to name dwelling. It’s additionally situated in the midst of the Rust Belt and has robust industrial roots.
Like each different metropolis on this listing, a lot of the rain within the space comes from the Nice Lakes, together with bigger storm methods transferring throughout the Midwest. Late summer time is the driest time of 12 months in Cleveland.
When you’re contemplating shopping for a house in Cleveland, OH, you’ll discover that the median dwelling sale worth is about $125,000, lower than half the nationwide common. Or, in the event you’re contemplating renting an house, count on the typical worth for a one-bedroom house to be round $1,200.
Study extra about residing in Cleveland.
7. Seattle, Washington
- Common annual wet days: 156 days
- Common annual precipitation: 37.72 inches
One of many cloudiest cities within the US, Seattle is the poster metropolis of the Pacific Northwest, and a famously wet metropolis. Town receives most of its rain from the Pacific Ocean, which offers gentle, cool air and lightweight rain for a majority of the 12 months. Seattle is thought for its expertise, in addition to having a well-known meals scene, infinite out of doors actions, world-renowned landscapes, and a top quality of residing. Spring and summer time are the most effective seasons to go to.
Seattle is definitely typically in a rain shadow behind the Olympic Mountains, that means it receives much less rainfall than cities to the north and south, and particularly west of the mountains. For instance, Olympia, WA, simply an hour south of Seattle, receives almost 50 inches of rain per 12 months over 163 days (its inhabitants is simply too small for our listing, although).
If transferring to Seattle sounds interesting, you’ll discover the median dwelling sale worth to be $810,000, nicely above the nationwide common. When you’re seeking to hire an house, the typical price of a one-bedroom house is round $2,300.
Study extra about residing in Seattle.
8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Common annual wet days: 154 days
- Common annual precipitation: 38.19 inches
Pittsburgh is the eighth rainiest metropolis within the U.S. and the final situated close to the Nice Lakes. Often called the Metal Metropolis and the Metropolis of Bridges, Pittsburgh is thought for its industrial roots, robust sports activities scene, and easy accessibility to pure splendor and concrete facilities.
Pittsburgh will get quite a lot of its precipitation from the Nice Lakes, largely within the cooler months. Nonetheless, it additionally advantages from sitting on the western fringe of the Appalachian mountains. Which means when heat, moisture-rich air arrives from the west, the air is inspired to rain in an effort to stand up the gently-sloping foothills.
Shopping for a house in Pittsburgh will price a mean of $253,000, which is beneath the nationwide common however above close by metros. When you’re considering of renting an house, the month-to-month hire worth for a one-bedroom house averages $1,381.
Study extra about residing in Pittsburgh.
9. Portland, Oregon
- Common annual wet days: 153 days
- Common annual precipitation: 36.03 inches
Portland, OR, is a famously-quirky metropolis that sees a good quantity of rain all year long. Much like Seattle, most of its rain comes from the Pacific Ocean, though much less ceaselessly as a result of it’s additional inland and south. House to legendary parks, area of interest eating places, markets, museums, and extra, Portland has one thing for everybody.
The Columbia River Gorge additionally influences Portland’s climate by funneling robust winds from each the east and west. This could both create extra moisture or cut back it.
When you’re contemplating shopping for a house in Portland, OR, you’ll discover that the median dwelling sale worth is about $517,000, almost twice the nationwide common. Or, in the event you’re contemplating renting an house, count on the typical worth for a one-bedroom house to be round $1,497.
Study extra about residing in Portland.
10. Salem, Oregon
- Common annual wet days: 144 days
- Common annual precipitation: 39.67 inches
The capital of Oregon, Salem, is the final metropolis on our listing, receiving rain for simply over a 3rd of the 12 months. Curiously, Salem sees greater rainfall totals than Portland and Seattle, however over the course of fewer days. It’s because stronger storms can stream extra freely throughout the flat valleys round Salem. Temperatures are additionally typically hotter, which contributes to stronger storms.
The Salem space is thought for its robust teachers, lovely pure environment, abundance of wine, and easy accessibility to each the coast and close by mountains.
If transferring to Salem sounds interesting, you’ll discover the median dwelling sale worth to be $440,000, above the nationwide common. When you’re seeking to hire an house, the typical price of a one-bedroom house is $1,324.
Study extra about residing in Salem.
Rainiest cities primarily based on annual precipitation whole
Many U.S. cities see solar for almost all of the 12 months, but additionally obtain robust storms that may produce dozens of inches of rain at a time. Whereas these cities aren’t very gloomy, they are often extraordinarily moist, which is a crucial issue to think about in the event you’re planning on transferring.
Listed here are the rainiest main U.S. cities primarily based on common whole rainfall per 12 months:
- Cellular, Alabama: 65.28 inches
- New Orleans, Louisiana: 62.45 inches
- West Palm Seaside, Florida: 62.33 inches
- Miami, Florida: 61.90 inches
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 60.65 inches
- Tallahassee, Florida: 59.23 inches
- Wilmington, North Carolina: 57.61 inches
- Huntsville, Alabama: 54.34 inches
- Jackson, Mississippi: 54.32 inches
- Birmingham, Alabama: 53.72 inches
All of those cities are within the Southern U.S. the place robust storms produce most of their rain. Rain typically comes in the summertime and fall, primarily from tropical storms, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and different methods. All of those cities have very excessive flood dangers as a result of frequency and severity of rainfall.
How is precipitation altering?
Resulting from local weather change, a lot of the world is receiving extra precipitation, however in stronger, much less frequent storms. Since 1901, international precipitation has elevated by 0.04 inches per decade, whereas within the decrease 48 U.S. states, it’s elevated by 0.2 inches per decade. That is altering rainfall patterns in historically moist locations, inflicting longer dry seasons and shorter however extra intense moist seasons.
Methodology
These lists comprise annual precipitation information for main cities with over 100,000 residents in line with the 2020 census. 2020 Comparative Climatic Information was obtained from the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its subsidiary, the Nationwide Facilities for Environmental Data (NCEI).
