Orlando named sweatiest city in the U.S.

Summer is heating up, and a recent study ranking the “sweatiest” American cities named Orlando, Fla., the sweatiest city in the U.S.

The study conducted by matchmaking platform MyDatingAdviser.com compared 200 of the largest cities in the U.S. across the following categories: weather, sweat factors, and cooling off. They also looked at data points like the number of days above 90 degrees, population density, and the availability of air conditioning and bodies of water to cool down. The total number of points available was 100 and the top ten cities all scored above 70.

Since sweatiness is related to humidity and population density more than just the number on the thermometer, the study used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association to pinpoint “hot spots” across the country. As a result (and no surprise), the top spots for sweatiest city in the U.S. are all in the most humid parts of the country.

“The study factored in the average summer temperatures of each city and proximity to large bodies of water,” said MyDatingAdviser.com Editor-in-Chief Amy Pritchett. “In addition, the exercise rate of the population, as well as population density and major sporting events, were also considered for the rankings, knowing that more frequent exercise and crowded events lead to a city’s overall sweatiness.”

What are the ten sweatiest cities in the U.S.?

1. Orlando, Fla. (76.84/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 83.5 °F, with 92 °F (high) and 75 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 4.4 months
• Relative Humidity: 78%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 97 per year
• Exercise Rate: 50.6%
• Population Density: 2,642 people per square mile

2. Corpus Christi, Texas (76.36/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 86 °F, with 93 °F (high) and 79 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 3.9 months
• Relative Humidity: 76%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 98.4 per year
• Exercise Rate: 43.4%
• Population Density: 2,050 people per square mile

3. Baton Rouge, La. (75.81/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 85 °F, with 92 °F (high) and 78°F (low)
• Summer Season: 4.3 months
• Relative Humidity: 78%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 84.4 per year
• Exercise Rate: 51.2%
• Population Density: 2,480 people per square mile

4. New Orleans, La. (74.35/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 85 °F, with 92 °F (high) and 78 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 4.1 months
• Relative Humidity: 79%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 77.7 per year
• Exercise Rate: 52.5%
• Population Density: 2,287 people per square mile

5. Tallahassee, Fla. (74/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 82 °F, with 93 °F (high) and 71 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 4.4 months
• Relative Humidity: 77%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 85.6 per year
• Exercise Rate: 52.6%
• Population Density: 1,988 people per square mile

6. Houston, Texas (73.34/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 85 °F, with 93 °F (high) and 77 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 3.6 months
• Relative Humidity: 74%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 99.6 per year
• Exercise Rate: 52.3%
• Population Density: 3632 people per square mile

7. Montgomery, Ala. (72.14/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 82 °F, with 92 °F (high) and 72 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 4.1 months
• Relative Humidity: 73%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 118 per year
• Exercise Rate: 45.7%
• Population Density: 1,235 people per square mile

8. Cape Coral, Fla. (72/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 83.5 °F, with 92 °F (high) and 75 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 4.6 months
• Relative Humidity: 73%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 111.3 per year
• Exercise Rate: 54.1%
• Population Density: 1978 people per square mile

9. Laredo, Texas (71.23/100)

• Average Summer Temperature: 89.5 °F, with 100 °F (high) and 79 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 4.1 months
• Relative Humidity: 52%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 159.8 per year
• Population Density: 2,529 people per square mile

10. Jacksonville, Fla. (70.21)

• Average Summer Temperature: 83.5 °F, with 92 °F (high) and 75 °F (low)
• Summer Season: 4 months
• Relative Humidity: 78%
• Days Above 90 Degrees: 62.1 per year
• Exercise Rate: 50.9%
• Population Density: 1,256 people per square mile

Tips for staying cool and safe in the heat:

• Block out the windows in your home with a blanket or a darker sheet during the day to keep the heat out.
• If you don’t have AC, keep windows open and run fans to circulate the air and keep your home cool.
• Wipe your forehead with a cool cloth.
• Avoid strenuous exercise outdoors if possible.
• Put ice cubes in your water bottle, especially if you’re outdoors.
• If you plan to exercise or work outside, drink a slushie beforehand or douse your head in cold water. Cold showers can also help you cool down.

Wondering what ranked as the least sweatiest city in the U.S.?

The five “least sweaty” cities are all on the West Coast (also no surprise): Oceanside, Calif. (16.94/100); Salinas, Calif. (19.28/100); Tacoma, Wash. (21.18/100); Huntington Beach, Calif. (21.68/100); and Salem, Ore. (23.68/100).

Methodology: 

To determine the sweatiest cities in the nation, MyDatingAdviser.com compared 200 of the largest metro areas with 100 points available across three categories: Weather, Sweat Factors, and Cooling Off. 

They then evaluated each area using 12 data points, including average summer temperature, number of days above 90 degrees, the popularity of public transport, and amount of shade and bodies of water for cooling off.

Weather – 80 Points

• Average Summer Temperature in July
• Length of Summer Season
• Average Relative Humidity in July
• Days Above 90 Degrees

Sweat factors- 10 Points

• The popularity of Public Transportation
• Exercise Rate (percentage of residents who say they exercise regularly)
• Number of Events
• Population Density

Cooling Off – 10 Points

• Amount of Shade (tree coverage based on the percentage of parkland in the metro area)
• Bodies of Water
• Average Wind Speed
• New Single Family Homes with Air Conditioning

Click here for the sweatiest city in the U.S. study.