United States City Rankings

Top 100 cities ranked by driest cities

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Driest Cities — United States

1 Calipatria CA 2.4"

2 Brawley CA 2.4"

3 Imperial CA 2.4"

4 El Centro CA 2.5"

5 Heber CA 2.5"

6 Calexico CA 2.5"

7 Holtville CA 2.5"

8 Bermuda Dunes CA 2.9"

9 Cathedral City CA 2.9"

10 La Quinta CA 2.9"

11 Thousand Palms CA 2.9"

12 Garnet CA 2.9"

13 Palm Desert CA 2.9"

14 Coachella CA 2.9"

15 Desert Palms CA 2.9"

16 Rancho Mirage CA 2.9"

17 Mecca CA 3.1"

18 Somerton AZ 3.3"

19 San Luis AZ 3.3"

20 Fortuna Foothills AZ 3.6"

21 Blythe CA 3.6"

22 El Paso TX 3.7"

23 Fort Irwin CA 3.8"

24 Twentynine Palms CA 3.9"

25 Salton City CA 4.0"

26 Yuma AZ 4.1"

27 Whitney NV 4.2"

28 Winchester NV 4.2"

29 Las Cruces NM 4.3"

30 Joshua Tree CA 4.4"

31 Ridgecrest CA 4.7"

32 Fallon NV 4.8"

33 Silver Springs NV 4.8"

34 Barstow CA 5.0"

35 Boulder City NV 5.0"

36 Palm Springs CA 5.1"

37 Desert Hot Springs CA 5.1"

38 Fort Mohave AZ 5.4"

39 Laughlin NV 5.4"

40 Bullhead City AZ 5.4"

41 Apple Valley CA 5.6"

42 Adelanto CA 5.6"

43 Silver Lakes CA 5.6"

44 Moapa Valley NV 5.6"

45 Lake Havasu City AZ 5.9"

46 Mesquite NV 5.9"

47 Taft CA 6.0"

48 Yucca Valley CA 6.3"

49 Tuba City AZ 6.3"

50 Winslow AZ 6.5"

51 Arvin CA 6.7"

52 Lamont CA 6.7"

53 Benton Park CA 6.7"

54 East Niles CA 6.7"

55 La Cresta CA 6.7"

56 East Bakersfield CA 6.7"

57 Oildale CA 6.7"

58 Potomac Park CA 6.7"

59 Greenfield CA 6.7"

60 Fairfax CA 6.7"

61 Hillcrest CA 6.7"

62 Powell WY 6.7"

63 California City CA 6.7"

64 Lake Los Angeles CA 6.8"

65 Sun Village CA 6.8"

66 Quartz Hill CA 6.8"

67 Rosamond CA 6.8"

68 Wasco CA 7.1"

69 Lemoore Station CA 7.2"

70 Lemoore CA 7.2"

71 Alamosa CO 7.3"

72 West Richland WA 7.3"

73 Richland WA 7.3"

74 Shiprock NM 7.3"

75 Roosevelt UT 7.4"

76 Quincy WA 7.5"

77 McFarland CA 7.5"

78 Earlimart CA 7.5"

79 Delano CA 7.5"

80 Page AZ 7.5"

81 Ephrata WA 7.6"

82 Sunnyside WA 7.7"

83 Shafter CA 7.7"

84 Rosedale CA 7.7"

85 Farmington NM 7.8"

86 Richfield UT 7.8"

87 Moses Lake WA 7.8"

88 Toppenish WA 7.8"

89 Spring Valley Lake CA 7.9"

90 Oak Hills CA 7.9"

91 Finley WA 7.9"

92 Casa Grande AZ 7.9"

93 Umatilla OR 7.9"

94 Arizona City AZ 8.0"

95 Golden Valley AZ 8.0"

96 New Kingman-Butler AZ 8.0"

97 Kingman AZ 8.0"

98 Dos Palos CA 8.0"

99 Buckeye AZ 8.1"

100 Aztec NM 8.1"

The driest cities in United States receive the least annual precipitation, often characterized by arid landscapes and abundant sunshine. Calipatria receives just 2.4 inches of precipitation annually.

Dry climates offer benefits including more sunny days, less seasonal affective disorder, lower humidity, and reduced mold and allergen concerns. These cities are often located in the desert Southwest or other arid regions with dramatic natural landscapes.

Water management is a critical concern for the driest cities, many of which rely on distant water sources, desalination, or strict conservation measures. As populations grow in these areas, sustainable water use and drought resilience become increasingly important priorities.

Did You Know?

1. Calipatria gets just 2.4" of precipitation per year — less than many cities get in a single month.
2. Most of the driest cities are in the desert Southwest, where evaporation often exceeds precipitation by a factor of 10 or more.
3. Water conservation is a way of life in these cities, with many implementing xeriscaping requirements and water usage restrictions.

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