Which Of America’s Hottest Cities Still Lack Air Conditioning?

As the U.S. endures record-breaking heat year after year, millions of Americans still live in homes without air conditioning. Public health researchers increasingly describe AC access as one of the most effective defenses against extreme heat, especially for older adults, low-income households, and people living in poorly insulated or aging homes. Until recently, scientists lacked reliable, granular data on which Americans actually own AC.

A new national dataset created by researchers at the University of Kansas and Florida State University offers the most comprehensive picture yet of AC prevalence across the continental U.S.. The findings show stark geographic and socioeconomic disparities, with some of the hottest metropolitan areas – where temperatures routinely reach 90°F – lacking widespread AC coverage. A closer look at the data reveals the warmest cities lacking air conditioning.

To determine the warmest cities lacking air conditioning, Climate Crisis 247 analyzed data on average, year-round temperature from the U.S. Geological Survey and data on AC prevalence from the University of Kansas. Cities with average year-round temperatures above 60°F were ranked based on the disparity between average year-round temperature and AC prevalence. Data were aggregated from the tract level to the metropolitan statistical area leve.

5. Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee is one of the warmest U.S. metros, with an average year-round temperature of 68°F. Yet 23.7% of households lack air conditioning, one of the largest disparities of any city. Combined with its heat-exposure index, Tallahassee stands out as a place where persistent warmth collides with limited cooling access.

4. Stockton, CA

Despite an average year-round temperature of 62.5°F, Stockton has one of the highest proportions of homes without AC, with 36.6% lacking cooling. Central AC covers just 61.8% of households, far below rates in other warm metros. Its combination of inland heat and low AC penetration places Stockton high on the list of vulnerable regions.

3. Homosassa Springs, FL

Homosassa Springs is one of the hottest metros on the list, averaging 71.1°F year-round temperatures. Yet 22.0% of households still lack air conditioning, one of the largest disparities of any city. 

2. Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL

In the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metro area in coastal Alabama, average year-round temperatures are 67.5°F. Yet more than 38% of homes have no AC, one of the larger shares of any warm metro area. Central AC is present in just 58.5% of households, unusually low for a Gulf Coast climate.

1. Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL

While Pensacola averages 67.6°F across the year, 37.9% of households lack air conditioning –  one of the highest rates among warm-weather metros. With central AC in just under 60% of homes, large portions of the population face extended heat without modern cooling.