For families who love to gather outdoors, the latest national ranking from The Luxury Pergola offers a clear guide. Using U.S. Census data, BEA income figures and Google Trends search activity, the study scores each state on climate, outdoor‑space access, household purchasing power and interest in backyard living.
Georgia earns the top spot
Georgia claims the No. 1 position with a composite score of 69.84, the highest of any state. The Peach State excels in every weighted category, showing that a moderate climate combined with strong homeownership (71.6% owner‑occupancy) and solid household budgets creates the ideal environment for patio parties, grill nights and family gatherings.
How the rankings work
The index gives climate a 40 % weight, defining a “comfortable outdoor day” as an average high between 60°F and 95°F based on NOAA 30‑year normals. Outdoor‑space access accounts for 25 % and looks at the percentage of residents who own their homes. Household purchasing power, weighted at 20 %, adjusts median income for local cost of living, while active interest in backyard living—measured by Google Trends for terms like “patio furniture” and “outdoor pergola”—makes up the remaining 15 %.
Southern states dominate
The top ten are heavily weighted toward the South and Mid‑Atlantic. South Carolina, Florida, Texas and Louisiana round out the top five, all benefiting from long comfortable seasons and high owner‑occupancy rates. Maryland and Virginia appear in the mid‑Atlantic segment, showing that even with fewer comfortable days, strong incomes and homeownership keep them competitive.
Sunshine alone isn’t enough
Florida enjoys a perfect 365 comfortable days per year, yet it lands at No. 4 because its homeownership rate (66.1 %) and income score (15.22) lag behind the leaders. Hawaii, despite a year‑round climate, falls to No. 12 for the same reason—homeownership sits at just 57.6 %.
Why the shift matters for families
Rising costs across the country have squeezed household purchasing power, making backyard upgrades a bigger financial decision. States that combine affordable living with strong ownership rates give families the room and resources to invest in outdoor kitchens, weather‑proof TVs and comfortable seating areas.
Mid‑west and mountain surprises
Iowa secures a spot in the top ten with a score of 65.74, thanks to a solid owner‑occupancy rate (71.6 %) and high search interest for patio‑related items. Wyoming, despite a shorter outdoor season, posts the nation’s highest Google Trends score for backyard searches and lands at No. 8.
States at the bottom
Alaska finishes last (No. 50) with only 31 comfortable days per year, while New York ranks at No. 49, hampered by a low owner‑occupancy rate of 55.7 % and a brief outdoor season.
What this means for homeowners
For families looking to expand their outdoor living spaces, the study suggests focusing on states where homeownership and purchasing power align with a usable climate. Georgia’s example shows that when all four factors line up, backyard entertaining can become a year‑round family tradition.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
