Looking for good weather? This Central Florida city has the best in the state

It’s no surprise that Florida can be a great place to live when it comes to weather.

After all, it’s called the “Sunshine State” for a reason (when it’s not being pummeled by hurricanes, at least).

However, one Florida city reigns above the others when it comes to just how nice that weather can be.

U.S. News and World Report has listed out its ranking of the best places to live for weather, examining which American cities offer the most moderate temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

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“We looked for places that scored highly on the desirability index with lows above freezing and highs below 90 degrees Fahrenheit — as well as those with the most sunny days," the study reads.

Nationwide, the top pick is Santa Barbara, California, which boasted over 280 sunny days per year, and only 36 rainy days.

But in Florida, the best-ranked state is Lakeland at No. 21. Close behind it are Port St. Lucie (No. 22) and Ocala (No. 24).

LAKELAND

“Although it’s not along the coast, Lakeland is conveniently located between Tampa and Orlando and surrounded by 38 beautiful lakes. There’s also plenty of pleasant weather to go around. Average temperatures are between 64 degrees in the winter and 81 degrees in the summer.

However, temperatures in June, July and August often top 90 degrees with high humidity that can make the heat feel more intense. Although there are more sunny days, summer brings 0.24 inches of rainfall.”

PORT ST. LUCIE

“The city of Port St. Lucie doesn’t have beaches, but there are plenty of ways to take in the good weather. As many as 238 days are sunny, and summer temperatures average around 83 degrees. Spring and fall are more mild, and the average temperature in winter is 69 degrees. Like many other coastal spots, however, Port St. Lucie’s rainy days are often not entirely rainy, and you’ll have at least a portion of the day to enjoy the sun.

If you feel the pull to Port St. Lucie, you’re certainly not the only one. It ranks No. 3 as one of the fastest-growing cities on the Best Places to Live list, having increased in population by 4.93% between 2021 and 2022 due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau."

OCALA

“Although Ocala is located in the Sunshine State, winter temperatures can sometimes dip near or just below freezing. Similar to other parts of Florida, summers are hot and humid, and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Residents see rain 112 days out of the year, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see some sun on those days.

The sun makes an appearance 233 days out of the year. Hurricane season is usually quiet in Ocala. The area’s central location means it’s protected from the worst of the storms, and Ocala is one of the major evacuation areas for the rest of the state."

U.S. News and World Report, "The 25 Best Places to Live for the Weather in 2024-2025"

Meanwhile, the rest of the ranking is as follows: