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Chicago vs Phoenix weather: climate comparison
Phoenix is the warmer of the two, averaging 73°F (23°C) over the year against 50°F (10°C) in Chicago. Chicago is wetter, with 38.7 in (982 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
- 10.1°C Chicago
23.0°C Phoenix - Annual precipitation
- 982.3 mm Chicago
243.4 mm Phoenix - Rainy days a year
- 121 Chicago
30 Phoenix - Sunshine per day
- 8.8 h Chicago
11.1 h Phoenix
Month by month
| Month | Chicago | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| January | -0.9°C | 18.9°C |
| February | 0.6°C | 20.8°C |
| March | 5.4°C | 25.0°C |
| April | 11.4°C | 29.5°C |
| May | 17.9°C | 34.6°C |
| June | 24.2°C | 40.1°C |
| July | 26.6°C | 40.9°C |
| August | 25.8°C | 40.0°C |
| September | 22.5°C | 37.2°C |
| October | 15.6°C | 31.1°C |
| November | 8.3°C | 24.3°C |
| December | 2.2°C | 18.4°C |
Year at a glance
| Measure | Chicago | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 10.1°C | 23.0°C |
| Warmest month (avg high) | Jul · 27°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 | 982.3 mm | 243.4 mm |
| Rainy days per year | 121 | 30 |
| Wettest / driest month | May / Feb | Feb / Jun |
| Average sunshine per day | 8.8 h | 11.1 h |
In short: Phoenix is the warmest overall (23.0°C mean); Chicago gets the most precipitation (982.3 mm a year); Phoenix is the sunniest (11.1 h a day on average); Chicago has the smallest swing between its warmest and coldest months.
Record high 1996–2025: Chicago 37.4°C (2022-06-21), Phoenix 47.7°C (2016-06-19). Record low: Chicago -32.5°C (2019-01-31), 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 Chicago (41.86, -87.65) and Phoenix (33.43, -112.03).
Which months differ most?
The gap in average highs is widest in February, when Phoenix runs 36°F / 20°C warmer, and narrowest in August (25°F / 14°C apart). The biggest rainfall difference is in May: Chicago gets 4.2 in (108 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 Chicago climate and Phoenix climate pages.
Compare Chicago or Phoenix with another city
Questions people ask
Is Chicago warmer than Phoenix?
Phoenix is warmer on average: its mean annual temperature is 73°F (23°C) against 50°F (10°C) in Chicago (ERA5, 1996–2025).
Which gets more rain, Chicago or Phoenix?
Chicago, with about 38.7 in (982 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, Chicago or Phoenix?
Phoenix averages more sunshine: 11.1 h a day against 8.8 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.