Weather Drives Every Relocation Decision
Ask anyone who moved to Los Cabos why they chose it, and the answer usually starts with weather. Not beaches, not real estate prices, not the food — weather. Specifically, the fact that you can plan an outdoor dinner any night of the year and never once check the forecast.
But "Cabo has great weather" is vague. What does it actually mean compared to the US retirement destinations most people consider? I pulled the climate data and built a month-by-month comparison against the 10 most popular US retirement cities.
Key Takeaways
- Los Cabos averages 350+ days of sunshine — more than Phoenix (299), San Diego (266), or Sarasota (246).
- Winter highs: Los Cabos 78–82°F. Comfortable. No heating costs. No winter wardrobe needed.
- Summer highs: Los Cabos 90–95°F with low humidity. Phoenix hits 110–115°F. Sarasota and Houston sit in 90°F+ with 80%+ humidity.
- Annual rainfall: Los Cabos gets 7–10 inches, concentrated in September–October. Seattle gets 37 inches. Houston gets 50 inches.
- Zero snow, zero ice, zero freeze alerts. Cabo has never recorded a frost.
Tired of Checking the Weather?
In Cabo, you stop checking. 350 days of sunshine means planning happens around you, not around the sky.
Explore Cabo PropertiesThe 12-Month Comparison Table
| City | Jan High | Jul High | Sun Days | Rain (in) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Cabos | 78°F | 93°F | 350+ | 7–10 | Low-Mod |
| Phoenix, AZ | 67°F | 106°F | 299 | 8 | Low |
| San Diego, CA | 65°F | 76°F | 266 | 10 | Moderate |
| Sarasota, FL | 72°F | 91°F | 246 | 56 | High |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 67°F | 104°F | 299 | 9 | Low |
| Charleston, SC | 57°F | 91°F | 230 | 51 | High |
| Austin, TX | 62°F | 97°F | 228 | 34 | Moderate |
| Savannah, GA | 60°F | 92°F | 218 | 49 | High |
| Asheville, NC | 47°F | 84°F | 212 | 47 | Moderate |
| Boise, ID | 37°F | 94°F | 206 | 12 | Low |
| Sedona, AZ | 56°F | 97°F | 278 | 17 | Low |
What the Data Actually Shows
Cabo's Winter Advantage Is Real
November through April, Los Cabos runs 10–20 degrees warmer than every US retirement city except South Florida. While Boise is at 37°F and Asheville is at 47°F, Cabo sits at 78–82°F with zero chance of frost. Phoenix and Scottsdale are pleasant in winter (65–70°F) but still 10+ degrees cooler than Cabo. San Diego's famous marine layer keeps January highs in the mid-60s — nice, but not shorts-and-sandals weather.
For retirees who moved south specifically to escape winter, Cabo delivers a more complete version of that escape than any US destination. There is no "cold snap" in Cabo. There is no week in January where you need a jacket.
Summer: The Honest Truth
Cabo's summers are hot — 90–95°F in July and August. But they are not Phoenix hot (106–115°F), not Houston humid (90°F + 80% humidity), and not Sarasota oppressive (91°F + afternoon thunderstorms every day). The Sea of Cortez moderates temperatures, and the desert climate keeps humidity manageable most of the year.
September and October are the wildcard months — the green season brings 70% of the annual rainfall in brief, intense afternoon storms. Humidity rises. It feels tropical. Many snowbirds leave. But the ocean is 85°F, the fishing is world-class, and the restaurants are empty. Some of us prefer it.
The Insurance and Disaster Factor
Weather is not just about comfort — it is about financial exposure:
- Sarasota/Charleston/Savannah: Hurricane zone. Home insurance crisis — premiums have doubled or tripled since 2020, and some carriers have left Florida entirely.
- Phoenix/Scottsdale: Extreme heat events are intensifying. Air conditioning costs $300–$500/month in summer. Water supply concerns are long-term risks.
- Asheville: Flood risk — Hurricane Helene in 2024 devastated the Asheville area, a city marketed as a climate refuge.
- Los Cabos: Home insurance runs $1,200–$2,500/year. No hurricane zone premiums. No wildfire zone. No flood zone. The desalination infrastructure addresses water supply.
Stop Paying to Insure Against the Weather
Cabo's climate means lower insurance, lower utility bills, and lower stress. Let me show you what your US carrying costs buy in Baja.
Book a CallWhat the Numbers Do Not Capture
Climate data tells you temperatures and rainfall. It does not tell you what it feels like to eat breakfast on your terrace in January wearing a t-shirt, watching whales breach in the Sea of Cortez. It does not tell you that your golf game never gets rained out between November and June. It does not tell you that the quality of light in Cabo — that golden, warm, cinematic light — makes every sunset feel like a production.
I have lived in Park City, where the skiing is world-class and the winter is 5 months of cold. I have spent time in Scottsdale, where the spring is perfect and the summer is uninhabitable. Cabo is the first place I have lived where I genuinely do not check the weather. It is always the answer I want.
Trade Weather Worries for Ocean Breezes
350 days of sunshine. Zero snow days. No hurricane premiums. Let me help you find the community that fits your climate preferences.
Start Your SearchFrequently Asked Questions
How many sunny days does Los Cabos get?+
Los Cabos averages 350+ days of sunshine per year — more than Phoenix (299), San Diego (266), or Sarasota (246). The region receives only 7–10 inches of annual rainfall, concentrated in September and October. November through June is essentially rain-free.
How hot does it get in Los Cabos in summer?+
Summer highs in Los Cabos reach 90–95°F in July and August. This is significantly cooler than Phoenix (106–115°F) and more comfortable than humid destinations like Sarasota (91°F + 80% humidity). The Sea of Cortez moderates temperatures, and the desert climate keeps humidity manageable outside of September–October.
Does Los Cabos get hurricanes?+
Los Cabos is on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula, outside the Atlantic hurricane belt that hits the Caribbean and Gulf Coast annually. East Pacific storms occasionally affect the region but make landfall with much less frequency and force. Home insurance in Cabo costs $1,200–$2,500/year vs. $5,000–$15,000+ in US hurricane zones.
What is the rainy season in Cabo?+
The 'green season' runs September through October, when Los Cabos receives 70% of its 7–10 inches of annual rainfall. Rain comes in brief, intense afternoon storms — rarely all-day events. Humidity rises during these months. Many snowbirds leave, but the ocean is warmest (85°F), fishing is excellent, and restaurants are less crowded.
How does Los Cabos weather compare to San Diego?+
San Diego has a mild year-round climate (January high: 65°F, July high: 76°F) with 266 sunny days and 10 inches of rain. Los Cabos is warmer (January: 78°F, July: 93°F) with more sunshine (350+ days) and less rain (7–10 inches). San Diego is more temperate; Cabo is warmer with more guaranteed sun. San Diego real estate is 3–5x more expensive.
What are winter temperatures in Los Cabos?+
Winter highs in Los Cabos range from 78–82°F (November through March). Nighttime lows drop to 58–65°F. There has never been a recorded frost. You do not need heating, heavy clothing, or a winter wardrobe. The water temperature stays around 72–78°F in winter — warm enough for swimming.
Aaron Cuha
Real Estate Advisor & Los Cabos Market Expert
Real estate advisor and founder of Living In Cabo. 15+ years helping families navigate complex real estate decisions. Strategic partner with Ronival — Baja's largest brokerage.
