The 20 Driest Cities in America
America's driest cities receive less than 10 inches of rain per year - less than some deserts. We ranked the 20 cities with the least annual precipitation.
The 20 Driest US Cities
Ranked by average annual precipitation (rain + melted snow):
- Yuma, AZ - 3.3 inches/year (driest city in the continental US)
- Las Vegas, NV - 4.2 inches/year
- Palm Springs, CA - 5.5 inches/year
- Phoenix, AZ - 8.0 inches/year
- Reno, NV - 7.5 inches/year
- El Paso, TX - 9.7 inches/year
- Tucson, AZ - 12.2 inches/year
- Sacramento, CA - 18.5 inches/year (dry summers, wet winters)
- Los Angeles, CA - 15.1 inches/year
- Albuquerque, NM - 9.5 inches/year
- Boise, ID - 12.1 inches/year
- Bakersfield, CA - 6.5 inches/year
- Fresno, CA - 11.6 inches/year
- Salt Lake City, UT - 16.1 inches/year
- Lubbock, TX - 18.4 inches/year
- Amarillo, TX - 19.0 inches/year
- Flagstaff, AZ - 23.4 inches/year (high elevation moderates this)
- Colorado Springs, CO - 16.6 inches/year
- Billings, MT - 14.1 inches/year
- Cheyenne, WY - 15.4 inches/year
Is Dry Weather Good?
For many purposes, drier climates are preferred: fewer rain delays for outdoor events, less mold and mildew, lower humidity discomfort. However, dry climates also mean higher wildfire risk, more dust storms, and challenges for agriculture. Water supply is a critical concern for dry Western cities.
The Surprise: Pacific Coast Dryness
Los Angeles receives only 15 inches of rain annually - less than Chicago (38 inches) or New York (46 inches). LA's dry reputation is earned: most rain falls in El Nino years, and summers are virtually rain-free. Sacramento is even drier in summer despite its Central Valley location.