Phoenix vs Mesa: which is sunnier?
🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 36 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)
Phoenix and Mesa are virtually tied for annual sunshine — about 3,833 vs 3,778 hours a year. Mesa has the higher Sunshine Score in 3 of 12 months, Phoenix in 1 (8 within 2 points).
Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.
At a glance
| Phoenix | Mesa | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine hours / year | 3,833 | 3,778 |
| Sunniest month | April (99/100) | April (99/100) |
| Nov–Feb average score | 91/100 | 89/100 |
| Jun–Aug average score | 3/100 | 13/100 |
| Rain / year | 254 mm | 254 mm |
| Peak midday UV | 11 (extreme) | 10 (very high) |
Phoenix vs Mesa month by month
| Month | Sunshine Score | Day high °C | Rain mm | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Mesa | Phoenix | Mesa | Phoenix | Mesa | |
| January | 86 | 86 | 19° | 19° | 33 | 33 |
| February | 94 | 94 | 21° | 21° | 32 | 32 |
| March | 96 | 96 | 26° | 25° | 21 | 21 |
| April | 99 | 99 | 30° | 29° | 8 | 8 |
| May | 69 | 69 | 35° | 35° | 6 | 6 |
| June | 0 | 10 | 42° | 41° | 2 | 2 |
| July | 0 | 9 | 42° | 41° | 33 | 33 |
| August | 9 | 19 | 41° | 40° | 33 | 33 |
| September | 38 | 38 | 38° | 38° | 22 | 22 |
| October | 97 | 97 | 32° | 31° | 14 | 14 |
| November | 97 | 97 | 25° | 24° | 19 | 19 |
| December | 86 | 79 | 19° | 18° | 31 | 31 |
The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr even · May even · Jun Mesa · Jul Mesa · Aug Mesa · Sep even · Oct even · Nov even · Dec Phoenix.
When to pick which
- November–February: too close to call — Phoenix averages 91/100, Mesa 89/100. Daytime highs are similar (21°C vs 21°C). See the winter sun ranking.
- March–May: too close to call — Phoenix averages 88/100, Mesa 88/100. Daytime highs are similar (30°C vs 30°C).
- June–August: Mesa (average score 13/100 vs 3). Daytime highs are similar (42°C vs 41°C).
- September–October: too close to call — Phoenix averages 68/100, Mesa 68/100. Daytime highs are similar (35°C vs 35°C).
Full month-by-month guides: Phoenix weather by month · Mesa weather by month · Best time to visit United States.
More comparisons: Phoenix vs Tucson · Phoenix vs Grand Canyon - Tusayan · Mesa vs Tucson · Mesa vs Grand Canyon - Tusayan · all head-to-heads