By the time I’m wearing socks to bed, I’m ready to look up flights somewhere warmer. But a winter getaway has to pass two tests for me. Can I sit outside with my coffee, and can I afford to stay long enough to order a second one?
Miami took first place in a November 2026 study from Duel.com that ranked 30 U.S. cities for a winter escape. Florida swept the first four spots, with Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Orlando following Miami. San Antonio rounded out the top five and had the latest winter sunsets of those five cities. See the full winter getaway rankings.
The 10 best U.S. cities for a winter getaway, according to the study
Researchers compared average temperatures and daylight from December through February, along with safety ratings, monthly rent, and cost of living. They also looked at how easy it was to find a coffee shop, bakery, museum, theater, or other indoor stop, counting venues per 10 square miles. The cost-of-living figures below reflect local living costs and give you a starting point for comparing cities. Price hotels and transportation for your own dates to see what the trip would cost.
| Rank | Destination | Avg. winter temperature | Avg. daily daylight | Cozy spots per 10 sq. mi. | Entertainment and culture per 10 sq. mi. | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami, FL | 69.7°F | 10.84 hrs | 28 | 14 | $1,523 |
| 2 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 69.4°F | 10.82 hrs | 15 | 6 | $1,447 |
| 3 | Tampa, FL | 62.5°F | 10.71 hrs | 8 | 4 | $1,269 |
| 4 | Orlando, FL | 62.4°F | 10.68 hrs | 10 | 3 | $1,311 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | 54.2°F | 10.62 hrs | 4 | 3 | $1,177 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | 52.0°F | 10.57 hrs | 12 | 4 | $1,227 |
| 7 | Jacksonville, FL | 56.6°F | 10.57 hrs | 1 | 1 | $1,209 |
| 8 | Tucson, AZ | 53.1°F | 10.45 hrs | 6 | 3 | $1,151 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | 55.8°F | 10.60 hrs | 7 | 2 | $1,225 |
| 10 | New Orleans, LA | 54.9°F | 10.59 hrs | 10 | 4 | $1,435 |
1. Miami, Florida
Miami averaged 69.7°F and nearly 11 hours of daylight during winter. It also had the highest cost-of-living figure in the top 10. If Miami is calling your name, give yourself a little breathing room in the budget by planning a beach walk or an afternoon of gallery browsing. Coffee shops make up most of the city’s cozy stops in the study, so finding somewhere to take a break should be easy.
2. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
At 69.4°F, Fort Lauderdale was within a fraction of a degree of Miami, with a lower cost-of-living figure. If sunshine is the whole reason you’re booking the trip, I’d price both cities before deciding. Fort Lauderdale also had nine museums in the study, so you’ve got an easy change of plans if the weather turns.
3. Tampa, Florida
Tampa averaged 62.5°F and had the highest safety rating of the top five in the study. Its average monthly rent was $411 less than Fort Lauderdale’s, a detail that’s especially relevant if you’re looking at a longer stay. The study counted 22 theaters, so a live show could be the one evening you plan your trip around.
4. Orlando, Florida
Orlando came in at 62.4°F, practically tied with Tampa on temperature. If you’re doing Orlando without a theme park ticket, the study counted 115 cozy spots, including coffee shops, bakeries, tea houses, and spas. I’d happily build a slow morning around a bakery stop and save the spa for a splurge.
5. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio was the coolest of the top five at 54.2°F, and it had the lowest cost-of-living figure among them. The study put its winter sunset at around 5:59 p.m., the latest of the top five. That’s time for a stroll along the River Walk before dinner. Pack a light jacket and keep a museum on the list for a cooler afternoon. The study counted 56.
For my money, I’d start by comparing Miami and Fort Lauderdale if I wanted to spend most of the trip outdoors. If I were happy to pack a sweater in exchange for an afternoon at a museum and a walk before dinner, I’d check San Antonio first. Either way, I’d compare the full price of the trip before I fell in love with the forecast.
Study and data credit goes to Duel.com.
