Some people prefer sunny weather, others like the rain. While sunnier cities have been popular migration destinations for the past few years, rainier cities are often more affordable and have many benefits, including cleaner, better-smelling air and lush nature.
So, if you’re considering moving to a new area but aren’t sure where to choose, we’re here to help. Whether you like the sun and are looking for places to avoid, or love the rain and snow and just want more, we’ve compiled a list of the rainiest cities in the U.S. to help you move with confidence. Read on to learn more and discover if one of these cities is right for you.
What is rainy weather?
Before diving into the rainiest cities, let’s define our terms. There are two ways to calculate whether a city is rainy:
This can create confusion. For example, some cities see hundreds of days with measurable precipitation but have lower rainfall totals, while others see lots of sun and receive huge amounts of rain.
So, for our purposes of determining the “rainiest” cities, this list will focus on cities that receive the most days with measurable precipitation. Afterward, we’ll also go over the cities with the highest annual rainfall totals.
Keep reading to see Redfin’s rankings of the rainiest cities in the U.S.
What are the rainiest cities in the U.S.?
1. Syracuse, New York
- Average annual rainy days: 172 days
- Average annual precipitation: 38.47 inches
The rainiest city in the U.S. is Syracuse, NY, seeing rain or snow on nearly half of the days each year. Known for its white winters, Syracuse is also the snowiest major metropolitan area in the country, receiving nearly 130 inches of snow per year. A notoriously cloudy, cold, but lively city, Syracuse is a hub for education, entertainment, and recreation.
Syracuse is so wet because of its location near the Great Lakes. This is because colder air that enters the region from the west or northwest travels east over the relatively warmer lakes, turning into rain or snow. This is called “lake effect” precipitation. Syracuse is just east of Lake Ontario, so it sees this pattern frequently. Strong lake effect snowstorms are also a hallmark of the region in the winter. Summer is the driest time of year.
If you’re considering buying a home in Syracuse, NY, you’ll find that the median home sale price is around $160,000, well below the national average. Or, if you’re thinking of renting an apartment, the average monthly rent price for a one-bedroom apartment is about $1,050.
2. Buffalo, New York
- Average annual rainy days: 167 days
- Average annual precipitation: 40.48 inches
Buffalo is the second rainiest city in the US. While it can be dreary during the winter and spring, there’s a lot to love about the city. It’s known as the City of Good Neighbors, and has famous craft beer, historic architecture, sports teams, and bountiful nature.
The city primarily receives precipitation from the Great Lakes, but generally in larger quantities than the nearby cities of Syracuse and Rochester. Lake effect snow is especially common here in the winter, especially in the Southtowns, sometimes dropping more than six feet of snow in a single storm. Winters are generally wet, while summers are fairly dry.
Want to move to the area? Buying a home in Buffalo will cost an average of $200,000, which is below the national average. If you’re thinking of renting an apartment, the monthly rent price for a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,380.
Learn more about living in Buffalo.
3. Erie, Pennsylvania
- Average annual rainy days: 162 days
- Average annual precipitation: 42.16 inches
Located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Erie, PA is a great spot for rain lovers. This Rust Belt city is full of attractions and landmarks, and is known for its natural harbors, beautiful parks, and rich industrial history.
Similar to other nearby cities, much of the area’s rain and snow comes from lake-effect storms, which are more powerful the further east you go. Erie receives nearly 13 inches more rainfall than the contiguous U.S. national average of 29.94 inches. It also sees fairly consistent rain throughout the year, although it’s wetter in the winter and spring and driest in the summer.
If you’re considering buying a home in Erie, PA, you’ll find that the median home sale price is about $125,000, less than half the national average. Or, if you’re considering renting an apartment, expect the average price for a one-bedroom apartment to be around $1,200.
Learn more about living in Erie.
4. Rochester, New York
- Average annual rainy days: 162 days
- Average annual precipitation: 34.27 inches
The last of the Upstate cities, Rochester is the fourth rainiest city in the US. Known as both the “Flour City” and the “Flower City” for its history of flour and seed production, Rochester is a gateway to the rest of the state. Within 400 miles of 14 states, major metropolitan areas, the famous Finger Lakes Region, and the Seaway Trail scenic byway, you’re sure to find something to love here.
Like other nearby cities, Rochester sees most of its precipitation from the Great Lakes, and is prone to strong lake effect snowstorms. However, it sees less rain than Buffalo and Rochester due to its more eastern location and cool, thunderstorm-killing air.
If moving to Rochester sounds appealing, you’ll find the median home sale price to be $175,000, far below the national average. If you’re looking to rent an apartment, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is $1,505.
Learn more about living in Rochester.
5. Akron, Ohio
- Average annual rainy days: 156 days
- Average annual precipitation: 39.62 inches
Known as the Rubber Capital of the World, Akron is a small Northern Ohio city with a big footprint. The town is home to various attractions, including famous performing arts centers, strong industries, and plentiful nature. The city was historically known for its airship development.
Akron receives a lot of precipitation from nearby Lake Erie, although less than cities further northeast. Other rain usually comes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Buying a home in Akron will cost an average of $130,000, which is less than half the national average. If you’re thinking of renting an apartment, the monthly rent price for a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,380.
Learn more about living in Akron.
6. Cleveland, Ohio
- Average annual rainy days: 156 days
- Average annual precipitation: 39.14 inches
Located just north of Akron on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland, OH, is the sixth rainiest city in the US. Known for its museums, natural beauty, and sports culture, Cleveland can be a wonderful place to call home. It’s also located in the middle of the Rust Belt and has strong industrial roots.
Like every other city on this list, most of the rain in the area comes from the Great Lakes, along with larger storm systems moving across the Midwest. Late summer is the driest time of year in Cleveland.
If you’re considering buying a home in Cleveland, OH, you’ll find that the median home sale price is about $125,000, less than half the national average. Or, if you’re considering renting an apartment, expect the average price for a one-bedroom apartment to be around $1,200.
Learn more about living in Cleveland.
7. Seattle, Washington
- Average annual rainy days: 156 days
- Average annual precipitation: 37.72 inches
One of the cloudiest cities in the US, Seattle is the poster city of the Pacific Northwest, and a famously rainy city. The city receives most of its rain from the Pacific Ocean, which provides mild, cool air and light rain for a majority of the year. Seattle is known for its technology, as well as having a famous food scene, endless outdoor activities, world-renowned landscapes, and a high quality of living. Spring and summer are the best seasons to visit.
Seattle is actually often in a rain shadow behind the Olympic Mountains, meaning it receives less rainfall than cities to the north and south, and especially west of the mountains. For example, Olympia, WA, just an hour south of Seattle, receives nearly 50 inches of rain per year over 163 days (its population is too small for our list, though).
If moving to Seattle sounds appealing, you’ll find the median home sale price to be $810,000, well above the national average. If you’re looking to rent an apartment, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is around $2,300.
Learn more about living in Seattle.
8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Average annual rainy days: 154 days
- Average annual precipitation: 38.19 inches
Pittsburgh is the eighth rainiest city in the U.S. and the last located near the Great Lakes. Known as the Steel City and the City of Bridges, Pittsburgh is known for its industrial roots, strong sports scene, and easy access to natural splendor and urban amenities.
Pittsburgh gets a lot of its precipitation from the Great Lakes, mostly in the cooler months. However, it also benefits from sitting on the western edge of the Appalachian mountains. This means that when warm, moisture-rich air arrives from the west, the air is encouraged to rain in order to rise up the gently-sloping foothills.
Buying a home in Pittsburgh will cost an average of $253,000, which is below the national average but above nearby metros. If you’re thinking of renting an apartment, the monthly rent price for a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,381.
Learn more about living in Pittsburgh.
9. Portland, Oregon
- Average annual rainy days: 153 days
- Average annual precipitation: 36.03 inches
Portland, OR, is a famously-quirky city that sees a fair amount of rain throughout the year. Similar to Seattle, most of its rain comes from the Pacific Ocean, although less frequently because it’s further inland and south. Home to legendary parks, niche restaurants, markets, museums, and more, Portland has something for everyone.
The Columbia River Gorge also influences Portland’s weather by funneling strong winds from both the east and west. This can either create more moisture or reduce it.
If you’re considering buying a home in Portland, OR, you’ll find that the median home sale price is about $517,000, nearly twice the national average. Or, if you’re considering renting an apartment, expect the average price for a one-bedroom apartment to be around $1,497.
Learn more about living in Portland.
10. Salem, Oregon
- Average annual rainy days: 144 days
- Average annual precipitation: 39.67 inches
The capital of Oregon, Salem, is the last city on our list, receiving rain for just over a third of the year. Interestingly, Salem sees higher rainfall totals than Portland and Seattle, but over the course of fewer days. This is because stronger storms can flow more freely across the flat valleys around Salem. Temperatures are also generally warmer, which contributes to stronger storms.
The Salem area is known for its strong academics, beautiful natural surroundings, abundance of wine, and easy access to both the coast and nearby mountains.
If moving to Salem sounds appealing, you’ll find the median home sale price to be $440,000, above the national average. If you’re looking to rent an apartment, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is $1,324.
Learn more about living in Salem.
Rainiest cities based on annual precipitation total
Many U.S. cities see sun for the majority of the year, but also receive strong storms that can produce dozens of inches of rain at a time. While these cities aren’t very gloomy, they can be extremely wet, which is an important factor to consider if you’re planning on moving.
Here are the rainiest major U.S. cities based on average total rainfall per year:
- Mobile, Alabama: 65.28 inches
- New Orleans, Louisiana: 62.45 inches
- West Palm Beach, 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 these cities are in the Southern U.S. where strong storms produce most of their rain. Rain generally comes in the summer and fall, primarily from tropical storms, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and other systems. All of these cities have very high flood risks due to the frequency and severity of rainfall.
How is precipitation changing?
Due to climate change, most of the world is receiving more precipitation, but in stronger, less frequent storms. Since 1901, global precipitation has increased by 0.04 inches per decade, while in the lower 48 U.S. states, it’s increased by 0.2 inches per decade. This is changing rainfall patterns in traditionally wet places, causing longer dry seasons and shorter but more intense wet seasons.
Methodology
These lists contain annual precipitation data for major cities with over 100,000 residents according to the 2020 census. 2020 Comparative Climatic Data was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its subsidiary, the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.