Driest US cities
The driest major US city in our dataset is Las Vegas, NV, averaging only about 4.2 inches of precipitation a year, ahead of Phoenix, AZ (7.2 in) and Albuquerque, NM (8.9 in). The full ranking of the 15 driest cities, with each city's single driest month, is below. Figures are NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
Top 15 driest cities
| # | City | Annual precip | Driest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | 4.2 in | June (0 in) |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | 7.2 in | June (0 in) |
| 3 | Albuquerque, NM | 8.9 in | January (0.4 in) |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | 10 in | August (0 in) |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | 14.2 in | July (0 in) |
| 6 | Denver, CO | 14.6 in | January (0.4 in) |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | 15.7 in | July (0.5 in) |
| 8 | Honolulu, HI | 16.4 in | June (0.5 in) |
| 9 | Anchorage, AK | 16.5 in | April (0.4 in) |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | 18.3 in | July (0 in) |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | 23 in | July (0 in) |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | 31.7 in | January (0.9 in) |
| 13 | San Antonio, TX | 32.5 in | February (1.7 in) |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | 34.4 in | February (2.1 in) |
| 15 | Austin, TX | 36.2 in | February (1.9 in) |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
What "dry" means for travel
The driest cities cluster in the desert Southwest and interior West, where long stretches pass with almost no rain. That makes for dependable sightseeing weather, though summer afternoons can bring brief monsoon storms in Las Vegas, NV and nearby cities. For the opposite extreme, see the rainiest US cities, or pick a specific destination on the city pages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the driest US city?
Among the major cities we track, Las Vegas, NV is the driest, averaging only about 4.2 inches of precipitation a year, ahead of Phoenix, AZ (7.2 in) and Albuquerque, NM (8.9 in), per NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Which US cities have the most sunshine and least rain?
Desert Southwest cities such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, Albuquerque, San Diego get the least rain, with long dry seasons and abundant sun. They are reliably dry for most of the year, though some get brief summer monsoon storms.
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Last updated: 2026-06-18