Most Humid Places in the US (2026): Cities States

If you’ve ever stepped outside in July and felt like you walked into a wall of warm soup, you’ve experienced what climatologists call high humidity. Some parts of the US deal with this almost year-round. This guide breaks down the most humid cities and states in the country, explains the difference between relative humidity and dew point, and covers what high humidity actually means for daily life and home maintenance.

The Most Humid Cities in the US

Based on average annual relative humidity data, these cities consistently top the list:

1. Lake Charles, Louisiana  average daily humidity around 78%, with summer mornings often climbing above 90%. Its location near the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding wetlands keeps moisture levels high year-round.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana  averages nearly 86% relative humidity, among the highest of any major US city. The city’s below-sea-level elevation and proximity to water bodies trap moisture close to the ground.
3. Jacksonville, Florida  averages around 75% daily humidity, driven by warm, moist Gulf air moving inland even though the city itself isn’t directly on the Gulf coast.
4. Miami, Florida  averages around 72% daily humidity. Sitting between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, Miami rarely gets a humidity break, even after sunset.
5. Mobile, Alabama  Gulf Coast location and frequent afternoon thunderstorms keep humidity consistently high through summer.
6. Houston, Texas  Gulf proximity combined with a subtropical climate makes Houston one of the stickiest big cities in Texas.
7. Jackson, Mississippi  averages around 75% daily humidity, fed by a steady flow of warm, moist Gulf air despite being inland.
8. Meridian, Mississippi  frequently appears alongside Jackson in humidity rankings, with similar Gulf-driven moisture patterns.
9. Brownsville, Texas  far southern Texas location near the Gulf and Mexican border creates near-tropical humidity levels much of the year.
10. Port Arthur, Texas  heavy industrial Gulf Coast city with humidity levels that regularly sit in the 80–90% range during summer.

The Surprising Case of Alaska

Here’s something most “most humid” lists barely explain: Alaska is technically the most humid state in the US by relative humidity, with an average around 74.3%. St. Paul Island, Alaska even ranks among the most humid individual locations in the country at roughly 88%  despite its cold climate.

This seems backwards until you understand the difference between relative humidity and absolute humidity (or dew point):

• Relative humidity measures how much moisture is in the air compared to how much the air could hold at that temperature. Cold air can hold very little moisture, so even a small amount of water vapor can push relative humidity close to 100%.
• Dew point measures the actual amount of moisture in the air, regardless of temperature. This is why climatologists consider dew point a better measure of how “muggy” a place actually feels.

So while Alaska’s relative humidity numbers are high, its dew points are low  the air technically holds less water than a hot, humid Gulf Coast city, even if the percentage looks higher. This is why Lake Charles or Miami feel far more oppressive than Anchorage, even with similar or lower relative humidity percentages on paper.

Most Humid States by Dew Point

If you go by dew point  arguably the more accurate measure of “stickiness”  the Southeast dominates the list:

• Louisiana  consistently among the top states, with Lake Charles and New Orleans driving the average up
• Florida  coastal exposure on both sides keeps dew points high statewide
• Mississippi  inland but heavily influenced by Gulf moisture
• Texas (Gulf Coast region)  Houston, Brownsville, and Port Arthur push state averages up despite the dry western half of the state
• South Carolina  coastal cities like Charleston see summer dew points peaking around 73°F

Meanwhile, Arizona holds the title of least humid state by relative humidity, averaging around 40.4%  a direct result of its desert climate and lack of large nearby water bodies.

How Many 15A Receptacles on a 20A Circuit?

While this might seem unrelated to humidity, it’s a relevant question for homeowners in high-humidity regions. Humid climates put extra strain on dehumidifiers, AC units, and air purifiers  appliances that are often added to existing circuits.

Yes, standard 15A duplex receptacles can be used on a 20A circuit, as long as the circuit has two or more receptacles. The NEC permits this because no single 15A outlet is expected to draw the circuit’s full 20A capacity. The exception: if a circuit serves only one receptacle, that receptacle must be rated for 20A.

For homeowners in humid climates, this matters because dehumidifiers (300–700W) and window AC units (500–1,500W) running continuously can add significant load to a circuit. A 20A circuit (1,920W safe capacity under the 80% rule) can typically handle a dehumidifier and a couple of standard outlets, but pairing it with a window AC unit may require its own dedicated circuit  especially in homes already running multiple humidity-control devices during peak summer months.

Why Humidity Matters Beyond Comfort

High humidity affects more than how sticky the air feels. For homeowners, it has real, measurable effects:

Mold growth. Humid cities consistently rank among the highest for indoor mold risk. Mold needs moisture to grow, and homes in places like Lake Charles, New Orleans, or Jacksonville face year-round conditions favorable to mold in bathrooms, basements, and poorly ventilated spaces.

Increased cooling costs. Air conditioners work harder to remove moisture from the air, not just lower temperature. Homes in humid regions often see significantly higher summer electricity bills compared to dry climates at the same temperature.

Material degradation. Wood can warp, swell, or rot faster in persistently humid conditions. Metal fixtures corrode more quickly, and paint and drywall can develop moisture-related issues over time.

Health effects. High humidity slows the evaporation of sweat, making it harder for the body to cool down  this is why 85°F with high humidity can feel like 100°F or more. It can also worsen conditions like asthma by promoting dust mites and mold spores indoors.

Tips for Living in High-Humidity Areas

If you live in or are moving to one of these cities, a few adjustments make a noticeable difference:

• Run a dehumidifier in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms  areas most prone to trapped moisture
• Use exhaust fans during and after showers, and when cooking, to vent moisture outdoors rather than letting it linger
• Maintain indoor humidity between 30–50% for comfort and to limit mold growth, using a simple hygrometer to monitor levels
• Check crawl spaces and attics periodically for condensation or musty smells, especially after heavy rain
• Choose moisture-resistant materials for flooring and cabinetry in humid climates, such as tile, vinyl, or treated wood

The Driest Places, for Comparison

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the driest US cities include:

• Las Vegas, Nevada  around 36% average humidity
• Bishop, California  around 38%
• Phoenix, Arizona  around 46%
• El Paso, Texas  around 50%, notably low despite Texas having several of the most humid cities in the country

This contrast highlights how much climate can vary even within the same state  Texas is home to both some of the most and least humid cities in the US.

Final Thoughts

The most humid places in the US cluster heavily around the Gulf Coast  Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida dominate the rankings, with Lake Charles and New Orleans consistently at the top. Alaska’s coastal areas present a unique case where relative humidity is high despite cold temperatures, illustrating why dew point is often a more useful measure of how humidity actually feels.

For homeowners, understanding local humidity isn’t just about comfort  it affects mold risk, energy bills, material lifespan, and even electrical load planning for dehumidifiers and AC units. For official climate data, theNational Weather Service andNOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information provide historical humidity and dew point records for any US location. Check Smartoutdoor Tech