City comparison

US Cities With the Highest Growing Degree Days

Frost dates tell you how long the outdoor window is. Growing degree days help explain how much heat accumulates inside that window. This ranking compares U.S. cities by base 50°F GDD, a useful reference point for warm-season crop planning.

Highest GDD Evansville 4578 base 50°F GDD · High heat accumulation

Cities compared 250 U.S. cities with GDD values

Best used for Warm-season crops Tomatoes, peppers, corn, squash, cucumbers, melons, okra, and sweet potatoes

The ranking

Cities are ranked by base 50°F growing degree day accumulation. Higher values usually mean more seasonal heat for warm-season crops, but water, heat stress, frost timing, and variety choice still matter.

Rank	City	Base 50°F GDD	Base 45°F GDD	Base 40°F GDD	Heat read
#1	Evansville Indiana, U.S.	4578	5830	7247	High heat accumulation
#2	St. Louis Missouri, U.S.	4424	5640	6999	High heat accumulation
#3	Kansas City Missouri, U.S.	4271	5452	6763	High heat accumulation
#4	Wichita Kansas, U.S.	4228	5421	6740	High heat accumulation
#5	Salina Kansas, U.S.	4056	5205	6477	High heat accumulation
#6	Columbia Missouri, U.S.	4005	5184	6494	High heat accumulation
#7	Jefferson City Missouri, U.S.	3981	5162	6478	Moderate to high heat
#8	Terre Haute Indiana, U.S.	3955	5098	6371	Moderate to high heat
#9	Springfield Missouri, U.S.	3923	5112	6442	Moderate to high heat
#10	Manhattan Kansas, U.S.	3917	5039	6289	Moderate to high heat
#11	Carbondale Illinois, U.S.	3906	5086	6415	Moderate to high heat
#12	Hays Kansas, U.S.	3900	5029	6292	Moderate to high heat
#13	Lawrence Kansas, U.S.	3863	4992	6246	Moderate to high heat
#14	Topeka Kansas, U.S.	3807	4941	6201	Moderate to high heat
#15	Grand Junction Colorado, U.S.	3744	4879	6148	Moderate to high heat
#16	Quincy Illinois, U.S.	3634	4732	5953	Moderate to high heat
#17	St. Joseph Missouri, U.S.	3624	4730	5957	Moderate to high heat
#18	Council Bluffs Iowa, U.S.	3565	4630	5812	Moderate to high heat
#19	Omaha Nebraska, U.S.	3565	4630	5812	Moderate to high heat
#20	Emporia Kansas, U.S.	3540	4641	5875	Moderate to high heat
#21	Cincinnati Ohio, U.S.	3536	4663	5938	Moderate to high heat
#22	Decatur Illinois, U.S.	3523	4620	5845	Moderate to high heat
#23	Dayton Ohio, U.S.	3513	4618	5853	Moderate to high heat
#24	Lincoln Nebraska, U.S.	3499	4554	5731	Moderate to high heat
#25	Indianapolis Indiana, U.S.	3477	4578	5809	Moderate to high heat
#26	Peoria Illinois, U.S.	3449	4528	5729	Moderate to high heat
#27	Bloomington Indiana, U.S.	3435	4577	5852	Moderate to high heat
#28	Springfield Illinois, U.S.	3377	4459	5670	Moderate to high heat
#29	Champaign Illinois, U.S.	3358	4423	5610	Moderate to high heat
#30	Grand Island Nebraska, U.S.	3314	4350	5518	Moderate to high heat
#31	Hastings Nebraska, U.S.	3300	4341	5512	Moderate to high heat
#32	Columbus Ohio, U.S.	3258	4327	5527	Moderate to high heat
#33	Pueblo Colorado, U.S.	3257	4327	5557	Moderate to high heat
#34	Kirksville Missouri, U.S.	3182	4223	5390	Moderate to high heat
#35	Medford Oregon, U.S.	3173	4386	5868	Moderate to high heat
#36	Cleveland Ohio, U.S.	3134	4193	5383	Moderate to high heat
#37	Boise Idaho, U.S.	3131	4199	5450	Moderate to high heat
#38	Bloomington Illinois, U.S.	3129	4154	5301	Moderate to high heat
#39	Denver Colorado, U.S.	3106	4173	5408	Moderate to high heat
#40	Davenport Iowa, U.S.	3095	4113	5247	Moderate to high heat
#41	Toledo Ohio, U.S.	3089	4118	5274	Moderate to high heat
#42	Wenatchee Washington, U.S.	3074	4127	5329	Moderate to high heat
#43	Lafayette Indiana, U.S.	3048	4092	5264	Moderate to high heat
#44	Des Moines Iowa, U.S.	3044	4039	5156	Moderate to high heat
#45	Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, U.S.	3043	4109	5308	Moderate to high heat
#46	Harrisburg Pennsylvania, U.S.	3042	4077	5249	Moderate to high heat
#47	Sterling Colorado, U.S.	3027	4028	5198	Moderate to high heat
#48	Waterloo Iowa, U.S.	2999	3985	5086	Moderate to high heat
#49	Greeley Colorado, U.S.	2981	4037	5245	Moderate to high heat
#50	Fort Wayne Indiana, U.S.	2976	4001	5152	Moderate to high heat
#51	Roseburg Oregon, U.S.	2972	4296	6011	Moderate to high heat
#52	Yakima Washington, U.S.	2933	4016	5287	Moderate to high heat
#53	Scranton Pennsylvania, U.S.	2910	3941	5105	Moderate to high heat
#54	Kearney Nebraska, U.S.	2904	3882	4998	Moderate to high heat
#55	Allentown Pennsylvania, U.S.	2890	3926	5102	Moderate to high heat
#56	Rockford Illinois, U.S.	2888	3882	4999	Moderate to high heat
#57	Decorah Iowa, U.S.	2876	3865	4965	Moderate to high heat
#58	Boston Massachusetts, U.S.	2875	3892	5052	Moderate to high heat
#59	Winona Minnesota, U.S.	2867	3841	4925	Moderate to high heat
#60	Erie Pennsylvania, U.S.	2849	3853	4981	Moderate to high heat
#61	Sioux City Iowa, U.S.	2840	3789	4861	Moderate to high heat
#62	Lancaster Pennsylvania, U.S.	2830	3858	5025	Moderate to high heat
#63	Ames Iowa, U.S.	2822	3802	4902	Moderate to high heat
#64	South Bend Indiana, U.S.	2821	3808	4929	Moderate to high heat
#65	Nampa Idaho, U.S.	2819	3858	5083	Moderate to high heat
#66	Sioux Falls South Dakota, U.S.	2793	3727	4779	Moderate to high heat
#67	Saint Paul Minnesota, U.S.	2771	3709	4755	Moderate to high heat
#68	Cedar Rapids Iowa, U.S.	2756	3729	4821	Moderate to high heat
#69	Iowa City Iowa, U.S.	2756	3729	4821	Moderate to high heat
#70	Norfolk Nebraska, U.S.	2739	3685	4760	Moderate to high heat
#71	Albany New York, U.S.	2728	3705	4809	Moderate to high heat
#72	Detroit Michigan, U.S.	2718	3692	4795	Moderate to high heat
#73	Lowell Massachusetts, U.S.	2703	3711	4857	Moderate to high heat
#74	North Platte Nebraska, U.S.	2681	3613	4707	Moderate to high heat
#75	Pendleton Oregon, U.S.	2681	3772	5056	Moderate to high heat
#76	Minneapolis Minnesota, U.S.	2643	3546	4554	Moderate to high heat
#77	Springfield Massachusetts, U.S.	2638	3610	4714	Moderate to high heat
#78	Milwaukee Wisconsin, U.S.	2623	3570	4639	Moderate to high heat
#79	Moses Lake Washington, U.S.	2605	3638	4835	Moderate to high heat
#80	Lewiston Idaho, U.S.	2566	3586	4793	Moderate to high heat
#81	Akron Ohio, U.S.	2560	3531	4632	Moderate to high heat
#82	Jackson Michigan, U.S.	2559	3533	4636	Moderate to high heat
#83	Muskegon Michigan, U.S.	2559	3528	4633	Moderate to high heat
#84	Scottsbluff Nebraska, U.S.	2559	3469	4562	Moderate to high heat
#85	Janesville Wisconsin, U.S.	2557	3497	4557	Moderate to high heat
#86	Portland Oregon, U.S.	2554	3798	5411	Moderate to high heat
#87	Dubuque Iowa, U.S.	2551	3497	4565	Moderate to high heat
#88	Fort Collins Colorado, U.S.	2548	3542	4723	Moderate to high heat
#89	Boulder Colorado, U.S.	2540	3553	4772	Moderate to high heat
#90	Grand Rapids Michigan, U.S.	2540	3478	4547	Moderate to high heat
#91	Syracuse New York, U.S.	2536	3493	4577	Moderate to high heat
#92	Buffalo New York, U.S.	2534	3488	4572	Moderate to high heat
#93	Longmont Colorado, U.S.	2530	3477	4631	Moderate to high heat
#94	Kalamazoo Michigan, U.S.	2512	3458	4534	Moderate to high heat
#95	Colorado Springs Colorado, U.S.	2502	3457	4613	Moderate to high heat
#96	Battle Creek Michigan, U.S.	2498	3433	4497	Lower heat accumulation
#97	Lansing Michigan, U.S.	2498	3433	4497	Lower heat accumulation
#98	Rochester New York, U.S.	2488	3434	4516	Lower heat accumulation
#99	Ann Arbor Michigan, U.S.	2483	3422	4492	Lower heat accumulation
#100	Mankato Minnesota, U.S.	2472	3376	4391	Lower heat accumulation
#101	Walla Walla Washington, U.S.	2472	3517	4749	Lower heat accumulation
#102	Madison Wisconsin, U.S.	2461	3379	4414	Lower heat accumulation
#103	Kenosha Wisconsin, U.S.	2458	3403	4482	Lower heat accumulation
#104	Mason City Iowa, U.S.	2451	3360	4381	Lower heat accumulation
#105	Owatonna Minnesota, U.S.	2448	3341	4344	Lower heat accumulation
#106	Salem Oregon, U.S.	2411	3606	5191	Lower heat accumulation
#107	Sheboygan Wisconsin, U.S.	2409	3323	4366	Lower heat accumulation
#108	Saginaw Michigan, U.S.	2407	3337	4393	Lower heat accumulation
#109	Rapid City South Dakota, U.S.	2402	3276	4304	Lower heat accumulation
#110	Pocatello Idaho, U.S.	2382	3291	4382	Lower heat accumulation
#111	Flint Michigan, U.S.	2371	3295	4347	Lower heat accumulation
#112	Watertown New York, U.S.	2364	3274	4305	Lower heat accumulation
#113	La Crosse Wisconsin, U.S.	2357	3271	4297	Lower heat accumulation
#114	Appleton Wisconsin, U.S.	2355	3244	4250	Lower heat accumulation
#115	Oshkosh Wisconsin, U.S.	2355	3244	4250	Lower heat accumulation
#116	Sidney Montana, U.S.	2354	3244	4250	Lower heat accumulation
#117	Twin Falls Idaho, U.S.	2352	3267	4380	Lower heat accumulation
#118	Holland Michigan, U.S.	2350	3286	4349	Lower heat accumulation
#119	Eau Claire Wisconsin, U.S.	2339	3226	4226	Lower heat accumulation
#120	Rochester Minnesota, U.S.	2324	3219	4228	Lower heat accumulation
#121	Worcester Massachusetts, U.S.	2322	3268	4346	Lower heat accumulation
#122	Saranac Lake New York, U.S.	2316	3226	4253	Lower heat accumulation
#123	Burlington Vermont, U.S.	2316	3226	4253	Lower heat accumulation
#124	Moorhead Minnesota, U.S.	2299	3149	4100	Lower heat accumulation
#125	Spokane Washington, U.S.	2296	3241	4373	Lower heat accumulation
#126	Racine Wisconsin, U.S.	2271	3174	4214	Lower heat accumulation
#127	Green Bay Wisconsin, U.S.	2267	3160	4177	Lower heat accumulation
#128	Seattle Washington, U.S.	2265	3447	5070	Lower heat accumulation
#129	Traverse City Michigan, U.S.	2258	3153	4180	Lower heat accumulation
#130	Fargo North Dakota, U.S.	2247	3098	4050	Lower heat accumulation
#131	Aberdeen South Dakota, U.S.	2236	3078	4025	Lower heat accumulation
#132	Willmar Minnesota, U.S.	2231	3094	4062	Lower heat accumulation
#133	Portsmouth New Hampshire, U.S.	2225	3152	4216	Lower heat accumulation
#134	Brookings South Dakota, U.S.	2212	3061	4020	Lower heat accumulation
#135	Watertown South Dakota, U.S.	2201	3045	3997	Lower heat accumulation
#136	Portland Maine, U.S.	2199	3118	4179	Lower heat accumulation
#137	Jamestown North Dakota, U.S.	2197	3037	3983	Lower heat accumulation
#138	Alexandria Minnesota, U.S.	2188	3034	3984	Lower heat accumulation
#139	Ashland Oregon, U.S.	2177	3210	4566	Lower heat accumulation
#140	Augusta Maine, U.S.	2159	3057	4082	Lower heat accumulation
#141	Billings Montana, U.S.	2146	3025	4071	Lower heat accumulation
#142	St. Cloud Minnesota, U.S.	2145	2998	3959	Lower heat accumulation
#143	Eugene Oregon, U.S.	2145	3294	4807	Lower heat accumulation
#144	Loveland Colorado, U.S.	2141	3021	4107	Lower heat accumulation
#145	Albany Oregon, U.S.	2139	3269	4755	Lower heat accumulation
#146	Corvallis Oregon, U.S.	2139	3269	4755	Lower heat accumulation
#147	La Grande Oregon, U.S.	2127	3048	4173	Lower heat accumulation
#148	Manchester New Hampshire, U.S.	2113	2999	4019	Lower heat accumulation
#149	Stevens Point Wisconsin, U.S.	2096	2960	3943	Lower heat accumulation
#150	Plattsburgh New York, U.S.	2095	2978	3983	Lower heat accumulation
#151	Coeur d'Alene Idaho, U.S.	2090	2996	4076	Lower heat accumulation
#152	Spearfish South Dakota, U.S.	2085	2917	3904	Lower heat accumulation
#153	Miles City Montana, U.S.	2082	2903	3859	Lower heat accumulation
#154	Lewiston Maine, U.S.	2078	2968	3998	Lower heat accumulation
#155	Binghamton New York, U.S.	2078	2981	4011	Lower heat accumulation
#156	Valley City North Dakota, U.S.	2077	2895	3815	Lower heat accumulation
#157	Massena New York, U.S.	2075	2947	3935	Lower heat accumulation
#158	Wausau Wisconsin, U.S.	2072	2926	3894	Lower heat accumulation
#159	Ithaca New York, U.S.	2071	2967	3993	Lower heat accumulation
#160	Riverton Wyoming, U.S.	2057	2869	3836	Lower heat accumulation
#161	Bangor Maine, U.S.	2035	2907	3911	Lower heat accumulation
#162	Grand Forks North Dakota, U.S.	2035	2855	3777	Lower heat accumulation
#163	Malone New York, U.S.	2034	2898	3877	Lower heat accumulation
#164	Brainerd Minnesota, U.S.	2030	2868	3818	Lower heat accumulation
#165	Gillette Wyoming, U.S.	2021	2821	3772	Lower heat accumulation
#166	Keene New Hampshire, U.S.	2014	2885	3881	Lower heat accumulation
#167	Bismarck North Dakota, U.S.	2002	2822	3748	Lower heat accumulation
#168	Idaho Falls Idaho, U.S.	2001	2861	3900	Lower heat accumulation
#169	Rexburg Idaho, U.S.	2001	2861	3900	Lower heat accumulation
#170	Williston North Dakota, U.S.	1990	2799	3722	Lower heat accumulation
#171	Casper Wyoming, U.S.	1970	2762	3706	Lower heat accumulation
#172	Cheyenne Wyoming, U.S.	1963	2774	3754	Lower heat accumulation
#173	Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, U.S.	1962	2802	3771	Lower heat accumulation
#174	Sheridan Wyoming, U.S.	1953	2763	3729	Lower heat accumulation
#175	Bremerton Washington, U.S.	1946	3045	4498	Lower heat accumulation
#176	Roseau Minnesota, U.S.	1936	2758	3681	Lower heat accumulation
#177	Thief River Falls Minnesota, U.S.	1936	2758	3681	Lower heat accumulation
#178	Warroad Minnesota, U.S.	1936	2758	3681	Lower heat accumulation
#179	Nashua New Hampshire, U.S.	1931	2806	3819	Lower heat accumulation
#180	Missoula Montana, U.S.	1923	2770	3783	Lower heat accumulation
#181	Houlton Maine, U.S.	1918	2756	3714	Lower heat accumulation
#182	Millinocket Maine, U.S.	1918	2756	3714	Lower heat accumulation
#183	Presque Isle Maine, U.S.	1918	2756	3714	Lower heat accumulation
#184	Merrill Wisconsin, U.S.	1914	2733	3664	Lower heat accumulation
#185	Rutland Vermont, U.S.	1897	2755	3738	Lower heat accumulation
#186	Concord New Hampshire, U.S.	1870	2724	3723	Lower heat accumulation
#187	Bottineau North Dakota, U.S.	1864	2658	3556	Lower heat accumulation
#188	Everett Washington, U.S.	1864	2973	4440	Lower heat accumulation
#189	Bemidji Minnesota, U.S.	1856	2646	3541	Lower heat accumulation
#190	Rock Springs Wyoming, U.S.	1841	2661	3640	Lower heat accumulation
#191	Dickinson North Dakota, U.S.	1840	2625	3527	Lower heat accumulation
#192	Manitowoc Wisconsin, U.S.	1827	2659	3632	Lower heat accumulation
#193	Wolf Point Montana, U.S.	1802	2602	3518	Lower heat accumulation
#194	Tacoma Washington, U.S.	1797	2887	4376	Lower heat accumulation
#195	Vancouver Washington, U.S.	1791	2813	4128	Lower heat accumulation
#196	Montpelier Vermont, U.S.	1768	2603	3554	Lower heat accumulation
#197	Bellingham Washington, U.S.	1755	2875	4360	Lower heat accumulation
#198	Devils Lake North Dakota, U.S.	1732	2505	3381	Lower heat accumulation
#199	Rugby North Dakota, U.S.	1732	2505	3381	Lower heat accumulation
#200	Hayward Wisconsin, U.S.	1726	2535	3463	Lower heat accumulation
#201	Rice Lake Wisconsin, U.S.	1717	2524	3448	Lower heat accumulation
#202	Grand Rapids Minnesota, U.S.	1712	2499	3397	Lower heat accumulation
#203	Grafton North Dakota, U.S.	1697	2472	3350	Lower heat accumulation
#204	Littleton New Hampshire, U.S.	1694	2505	3439	Lower heat accumulation
#205	St. Johnsbury Vermont, U.S.	1694	2505	3439	Lower heat accumulation
#206	Crookston Minnesota, U.S.	1689	2477	3370	Lower heat accumulation
#207	Berlin New Hampshire, U.S.	1678	2504	3447	Lower heat accumulation
#208	Ironwood Michigan, U.S.	1675	2463	3369	Lower heat accumulation
#209	Ashland Wisconsin, U.S.	1675	2463	3369	Lower heat accumulation
#210	Superior Wisconsin, U.S.	1666	2451	3358	Lower heat accumulation
#211	Escanaba Michigan, U.S.	1652	2450	3373	Lower heat accumulation
#212	Mount Vernon Washington, U.S.	1647	2742	4207	Lower heat accumulation
#213	Sandpoint Idaho, U.S.	1632	2473	3476	Lower heat accumulation
#214	Olympia Washington, U.S.	1612	2604	3911	Lower heat accumulation
#215	Marquette Michigan, U.S.	1607	2400	3317	Lower heat accumulation
#216	Minot North Dakota, U.S.	1590	2344	3206	Lower heat accumulation
#217	Virginia Minnesota, U.S.	1568	2328	3197	Lower heat accumulation
#218	Iron River Michigan, U.S.	1560	2327	3203	Lower heat accumulation
#219	Bend Oregon, U.S.	1560	2413	3471	Lower heat accumulation
#220	Rhinelander Wisconsin, U.S.	1540	2297	3164	Lower heat accumulation
#221	Duluth Minnesota, U.S.	1539	2297	3186	Lower heat accumulation
#222	Bozeman Montana, U.S.	1532	2324	3266	Lower heat accumulation
#223	Moscow Idaho, U.S.	1501	2352	3388	Lower heat accumulation
#224	Laramie Wyoming, U.S.	1489	2221	3071	Lower heat accumulation
#225	Hood River Oregon, U.S.	1470	2355	3467	Lower heat accumulation
#226	Kalispell Montana, U.S.	1465	2264	3215	Lower heat accumulation
#227	Great Falls Montana, U.S.	1456	2235	3144	Lower heat accumulation
#228	Houghton Michigan, U.S.	1438	2196	3071	Lower heat accumulation
#229	Alamosa Colorado, U.S.	1434	2226	3167	Lower heat accumulation
#230	Montrose Colorado, U.S.	1372	2118	3008	Lower heat accumulation
#231	Munising Michigan, U.S.	1345	2100	2971	Lower heat accumulation
#232	International Falls Minnesota, U.S.	1341	2066	2899	Lower heat accumulation
#233	Port Angeles Washington, U.S.	1289	2277	3660	Lower heat accumulation
#234	Cut Bank Montana, U.S.	1287	2023	2889	Lower heat accumulation
#235	Newport Vermont, U.S.	1269	2011	2876	Lower heat accumulation
#236	Hibbing Minnesota, U.S.	1185	1895	2724	Lower heat accumulation
#237	Lewistown Montana, U.S.	1172	1903	2759	Lower heat accumulation
#238	Butte Montana, U.S.	1057	1746	2565	Lower heat accumulation
#239	Helena Montana, U.S.	1029	1717	2541	Lower heat accumulation
#240	Whitefish Montana, U.S.	893	1575	2391	Lower heat accumulation
#241	Jackson Wyoming, U.S.	856	1530	2345	Lower heat accumulation
#242	Cody Wyoming, U.S.	750	1365	2118	Lower heat accumulation
#243	Anchorage Alaska, U.S.	740	1396	2198	Lower heat accumulation
#244	Palmer Alaska, U.S.	700	1356	2167	Lower heat accumulation
#245	Wasilla Alaska, U.S.	700	1356	2167	Lower heat accumulation
#246	Juneau Alaska, U.S.	678	1431	2362	Lower heat accumulation
#247	Kenai Alaska, U.S.	391	930	1664	Lower heat accumulation
#248	Soldotna Alaska, U.S.	391	930	1664	Lower heat accumulation
#249	Durango Colorado, U.S.	382	903	1591	Lower heat accumulation
#250	Homer Alaska, U.S.	324	866	1627	Lower heat accumulation

What this ranking means

A city with more base 50°F GDD generally has more heat available for warm-season crops. In the hottest U.S. locations, that can also mean heat stress, drought pressure, or irrigation needs become part of the gardening picture.

Compare with US Cities With the Longest Growing Seasons and the full Growing Degree Days by City reference.

Methodology

U.S. cities are ranked by their base 50°F seasonal growing degree day reference value. Base 50°F GDD is a useful broad comparison point for warm-season crops, though individual crops may use different base temperatures.

High GDD does not guarantee crop success. Extreme heat, drought, humidity, soil temperature, irrigation, frost timing, variety choice, and local microclimates still affect real-world maturity and harvest quality.

Download: highest U.S. growing degree days JSON.