Best Places to Retire in Washington for Climate
Quick answer
The most mild winter places to retire in Washington in 2026 are Camano, Aberdeen, and Artondale. Camano ranks first, with winter warmth (jan low) of 39.4°F. Rankings below cover 15 Washington 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 Washington, 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 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 39.4°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
39.4°F
Ranked #2 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 37.8°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
37.8°F
Ranked #3 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 37.2°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
37.2°F
Ranked #4 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 37.2°F.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
37.2°F
Ranked #5 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36.9°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36.9°F
Ranked #6 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36.8°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36.8°F
Ranked #7 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36.3°F. Retirees choose it for tax-friendly for retirees and established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36.3°F
Ranked #8 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36.3°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36.3°F
Ranked #9 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36.3°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36.3°F
Ranked #10 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36.1°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36.1°F
Ranked #11 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36.1°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36.1°F
Ranked #12 of 15 Washington cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 36°F. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Winter Warmth (Jan Low)
36°F
Ranked #13 of 15 Washington 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 #14 of 15 Washington 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 #15 of 15 Washington 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
Want a personalized retirement recommendation?
Our retirement quiz analyzes your preferences for taxes, climate, and lifestyle to find the perfect city for your next chapter.
Take the Retirement QuizFrequently asked questions
What is the best place to retire in Washington for climate?
Camano ranks first among Washington retirement cities for climate, with winter warmth (jan low) of 39.4°F. Aberdeen and Artondale follow closely behind. Rankings use NOAA climate normals.
How does RetireCityIQ rank Washington 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 Washington cities are covered in these climate rankings?
These rankings cover 15 Washington retirement cities, including Camano, Aberdeen, Artondale, Gig Harbor, Vashon, and more. Each links to a full retirement guide with cost of living, taxes, healthcare, and climate data.