Best Places to Retire in North Carolina for Climate
Quick answer
The most mild winter places to retire in North Carolina in 2026 are Myrtle Grove, Wilmington, and Leland. Myrtle Grove ranks first, with winter warmth (jan low) of 40.2°F. Rankings below cover 15 North Carolina cities and measure average January low temperature, a proxy for mild-winter comfort, using NOAA climate normals.
The best climates for retirees, ranked by mild winter temperatures and year-round comfort. When choosing a retirement destination in North Carolina, climate is often a top priority. The cities below are ranked by average January low temperature, a proxy for mild-winter comfort, drawn from NOAA climate normals and refreshed for 2026.
Source: NOAA climate normals. See our full methodology and data lineage →
Ranked #1 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 40.2°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
40.2°F
Ranked #2 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 40°F.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
40°F
Ranked #3 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 39.1°F.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
39.1°F
Ranked #4 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 37.8°F.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
37.8°F
Ranked #5 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36.5°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36.5°F
Ranked #6 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.9°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.9°F
Ranked #7 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.9°F.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.9°F
Ranked #8 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.8°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.8°F
Ranked #9 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.6°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.6°F
Ranked #10 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.5°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.5°F
Ranked #11 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.4°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.4°F
Ranked #12 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.4°F.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.4°F
Ranked #13 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.4°F.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.4°F
Ranked #14 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.3°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.3°F
Ranked #15 of 15 North Carolina cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 35.1°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
35.1°F
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What is the best place to retire in North Carolina for climate?
Myrtle Grove ranks first among North Carolina retirement cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 40.2°F. Wilmington and Leland follow closely behind. Rankings use NOAA climate normals.
How does RetireCityIQ rank North Carolina cities for climate?
Each city is scored on average January low temperature, a proxy for mild-winter comfort, sourced from NOAA climate normals. Cities are then ordered from highest to lowest on that metric. See our methodology page for the full scoring model and data lineage.
Which North Carolina cities are covered in these climate rankings?
These rankings cover 15 North Carolina retirement cities, including Myrtle Grove, Wilmington, Leland, New Bern, Laurinburg, and more. Each links to a full retirement guide with cost of living, taxes, healthcare, and climate data.