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Boston vs Phoenix weather: climate comparison
Phoenix is the warmer of the two, averaging 73°F (23°C) over the year against 51°F (11°C) in Boston. Boston is wetter, with 45.4 in (1154 mm) of precipitation a year to Phoenix's 9.6 in (243 mm). Below: every month side by side, from 30 years of ERA5 data (1996–2025).
- Mean temperature
- 10.6°C Boston
23.0°C Phoenix - Annual precipitation
- 1154.0 mm Boston
243.4 mm Phoenix - Rainy days a year
- 121 Boston
30 Phoenix - Sunshine per day
- 8.6 h Boston
11.1 h Phoenix
Month by month
| Month | Boston | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.9°C | 18.9°C |
| February | 3.5°C | 20.8°C |
| March | 7.5°C | 25.0°C |
| April | 13.5°C | 29.5°C |
| May | 19.1°C | 34.6°C |
| June | 24.4°C | 40.1°C |
| July | 27.9°C | 40.9°C |
| August | 26.9°C | 40.0°C |
| September | 22.9°C | 37.2°C |
| October | 16.5°C | 31.1°C |
| November | 10.2°C | 24.3°C |
| December | 5.0°C | 18.4°C |
Year at a glance
| Measure | Boston | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 10.6°C | 23.0°C |
| Warmest month (avg high) | Jul · 28°C | Jul · 41°C |
| Coldest month (avg low) | Jan · -7°C | Jan · 5°C |
| Annual range (warmest high − coldest low) | 34°C | 36°C |
| Annual precipitation | 1154.0 mm | 243.4 mm |
| Rainy days per year | 121 | 30 |
| Wettest / driest month | Mar / Feb | Feb / Jun |
| Average sunshine per day | 8.6 h | 11.1 h |
In short: Phoenix is the warmest overall (23.0°C mean); Boston gets the most precipitation (1154.0 mm a year); Phoenix is the sunniest (11.1 h a day on average); Boston has the smallest swing between its warmest and coldest months.
Record high 1996–2025: Boston 40.3°C (2011-07-22), Phoenix 47.7°C (2016-06-19). Record low: Boston -26.4°C (2016-02-14), Phoenix -3.5°C (2007-01-14).
Source: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (CC BY 4.0). Values are ERA5 reanalysis model data on a ~9–25 km grid, not readings from a weather station, so a single town’s thermometer can differ by a few degrees and local showers can be missed. Monthly means of daily ERA5 values, 1996–2025, for the grid cells nearest Boston (42.36, -71.13) and Phoenix (33.43, -112.03).
Which months differ most?
The gap in average highs is widest in March, when Phoenix runs 32°F / 18°C warmer, and narrowest in August (23°F / 13°C apart). The biggest rainfall difference is in April: Boston gets 3.8 in (96 mm) more on average.
Add a third or fourth city, or swap in any other place, in the full comparison tool. For one city in depth, see the Boston climate and Phoenix climate pages.
Compare Boston or Phoenix with another city
Questions people ask
Is Boston warmer than Phoenix?
Phoenix is warmer on average: its mean annual temperature is 73°F (23°C) against 51°F (11°C) in Boston (ERA5, 1996–2025).
Which gets more rain, Boston or Phoenix?
Boston, with about 45.4 in (1154 mm) of precipitation a year and 121 days with at least 1 mm, compared with 9.6 in (243 mm) and 30 days in Phoenix.
Which is sunnier, Boston or Phoenix?
Phoenix averages more sunshine: 11.1 h a day against 8.6 h. Sunshine duration is modelled from cloud cover.
How reliable is this comparison?
Both cities use the same 30-year reanalysis, so differences are consistent. Absolute values describe a grid cell several kilometres wide and can differ by a degree or two from the airport station.