- UV exposure is behind about 91% of U.S. melanoma. Where you live, and how strong the sun is there, shapes your risk.
- The highest-rate states mix sun and altitude. Hawaii and Florida for year-round sun; Utah, Colorado, and Idaho for high elevation, where thinner air lets more UV through.
- Cooler states aren't exempt. Vermont and Minnesota rank high too, tied to fair-skinned populations and inconsistent sun protection.
- Altitude fools people. Mountain air feels cool, but UV climbs about 10% for every 1,000 m of elevation, so the sun is stronger than it feels.
- The protection plan is the same wherever you are: check the UV Index, use sunscreen and UPF clothing, take shade breaks at peak hours, and keep up skin checks.
Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is on the rise across the United States. Certain cities and states report significantly higher rates of melanoma, often due to environmental and lifestyle factors. According to research published in the International Journal of Cancer, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, primarily from sun exposure, is linked to 91% of all melanoma cases in the U.S.
While sunny beach destinations are commonly associated with UV risks, some of the highest melanoma rates come from unexpected places, such as high-altitude regions. Let's explore why melanoma rates are higher in certain areas and how to protect your skin, no matter where you live.
Why Are Melanoma Rates Higher in Certain States?
Some states stand out for year-round sun, high elevation, and outdoor lifestyles that pile on UV exposure. Here's what makes each one notable:
A note on the numbers: Each percentage below is the share of that state's melanomas linked to UV, not how common melanoma is there overall. Hawaii's 97%, for instance, means nearly all of its melanomas are sun-driven, even though its overall rate is lower than some cooler states.
- Hawaii: About 97% of its melanomas are sun-driven, the highest share in the country, thanks to strong tropical sun nearly every day of the year.
- Utah: Thin high-altitude air filters out less UV, and a strong ski-and-trail culture keeps people out in it, second-highest UV-attributed share at 95%.
- Florida: Florida's heat and beach culture keep UV high all year, which is why daily sunscreen is such a habit here.
- Arizona: The desert delivers intense, near-constant sunshine, giving Arizona some of the highest day-to-day UV in the country.
- California: Long sunny seasons and time on the coast add up to high cumulative UV exposure, especially in the south.
- Vermont and Minnesota: Cooler, but still high on the list, a reflection of fair-skinned populations and lighter sun-protection habits.
- Colorado: Elevation brings 20 to 30% more UV than sea level, much of it reflecting off snow.
- Idaho: Elevation plus a big outdoor-recreation culture, from rivers to ski hills, adds up to high UV exposure.
U.S. Cities with the Highest Melanoma Rates
Within these states, certain cities stand out as melanoma hotspots due to unique environmental factors and lifestyle patterns:
- Denver, Colorado: The "Mile-High City" sits about a mile (1,600 m) above sea level, so UV runs noticeably stronger than it would at the coast.
- Salt Lake City, Utah: At elevation, UV is more intense than it feels, easy to underestimate in the cooler months.
- Honolulu, Hawaii: Tropical sun and reflective water make UV a year-round companion.
- Miami, Florida: Between the beaches, festivals, and nightlife that spills outdoors, prolonged sun is hard to avoid, which raises the risk of skin damage.
- St. Pete, Florida: With about 361 days of sunshine a year, St. Pete offers near-endless reasons to be outside. The Sunshine City's location between the Gulf and Tampa Bay means UV year-round, for locals and visitors alike.
- Boise, Idaho: A high-desert capital where dry air and elevation make the sun stronger than the comfortable weather lets on.
- San Diego, California: The famously mild climate is the trap, so pleasant that it's easy to forget the sun is still strong, all year.
Reasons Why These Locations Are Vulnerable
Common factors in these high-risk areas include:
- Latitude: The closer to the equator, the more direct and intense the sun, so lower-latitude states like Hawaii, Florida, and Arizona get higher UV year-round.
- Altitude: Higher elevations mean thinner air filtering out less UV, so the sun hits harder in mountain states like Colorado, Utah, and Idaho.
- Reflective surfaces: Snow, water, and sand bounce UV back at you on top of what comes straight down, and snow can reflect up to 80%. It's part of why both ski towns and beach cities rank high.
- Year-round UV exposure: In states like Hawaii, Florida, and California, daily UV adds up, even during seemingly mild seasons.
- Lifestyle choices: Active, outdoor cultures simply add up to more hours in the sun.
In practice, the takeaway is the same everywhere: year-round sun protection matters no matter where you live or travel.
The Rising Risk of Melanoma: Key Statistics
Research reveals some significant and often surprising statistics about melanoma in the U.S.:
- Melanoma is projected to keep climbing. One analysis estimates it could reach about 7.1% of U.S. cancer diagnoses by 2030, on the order of 150,000 new cases a year.
- Men are more likely than women to develop melanoma, except for those under age 50, where younger women are at higher risk, possibly due to factors like tanning bed use.
- Sun protection statistics reveal concerning trends, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2020, only 12.3% of men and 29.0% of women aged 18 and over always used sunscreen when outside for more than an hour on a sunny day.
6 Sun Protection Tips for High-Risk Areas
Whether you live in or visit these melanoma hotspots, consistent sun protection wherever you are is what lowers your risk. Here's how:
1. Check the UV Index
UV varies enormously from one place to the next, so the smartest move is to check before you go outside rather than guess. Checking the UV Index is a quick daily habit, and our UV Index calculator and sun protection plan takes it further: enter your location, what you're doing, and your skin type, and it turns the day's forecast into a plan for what to wear and when. On high-UV days, that usually means shade, UPF clothing, and more frequent sunscreen.
2. UPF Clothing
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing provides a reliable barrier without needing reapplication. Whether it's a lightweight long-sleeve shirt, a UPF hat, or sun-protective pants, UPF-rated clothing is a dependable choice for anyone spending real time outdoors or living somewhere with high UV.
3. Daily Sunscreen
Broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 should be part of your daily routine, rain or shine. UV rays are present even on cloudy days, and high altitudes amplify their strength. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, and reapply every two hours if you're outdoors for long periods.
4. Wear Sunglasses
Protect your eyes with sunglasses labeled UV400, which block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. This simple habit lowers your risk of long-term UV damage to your eyes, like cataracts and surface burns.
5. Plan Around Peak Sun Hours
The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., but keep in mind that UVB rays, which cause sunburn, remain strong until about 4 p.m. If possible, schedule outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon (before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.). When you are out during peak hours, seek shade where you can, especially in high-altitude or high-UV areas where the sun is stronger than it feels.
6. Regular Skin Checks
Catching melanoma early is what keeps it most treatable. Do monthly self-exams to spot any new or changing moles, and schedule annual screenings with a dermatologist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Melanoma and Where You Live
Here are some quick answers to the questions people ask most about melanoma rates and location.
Which U.S. state has the highest melanoma rate?
It depends what you mean. Hawaii has the highest share of melanomas caused by UV (about 97%), but its overall melanoma rate is relatively low. The highest overall incidence tends to show up in fair-skinned northern states like Vermont, Minnesota, and Utah. In short: sunny states have the most sun-driven melanoma, while fair-skinned states have the most melanoma overall.
Does living at high altitude raise your skin cancer risk?
Yes. UV gets stronger as you climb, roughly 10% more for every 1,000 m of elevation, because there's less atmosphere to filter it. That's why mountain states like Colorado and Utah rank high, even when the weather feels cooler than at the beach.
Why do some cooler states have high melanoma rates?
Melanoma isn't only about how sunny a place is. States like Vermont and Minnesota have large fair-skinned populations, which are more vulnerable to UV, along with lighter sun-protection habits, so even moderate sun adds up over time.
Do you only need to worry about this if you live somewhere sunny?
No. UV reaches you everywhere, and the damage is cumulative, so sun protection matters wherever you live. The right amount just depends on your local UV, which is exactly what checking the UV Index tells you.
The Essential Takeaway
Melanoma isn't limited to particular seasons or sunny beaches. It shows up in high-altitude towns and anywhere the UV runs strong, which is much of the country. Wherever you are, the same habits lower your risk: daily sunscreen, UPF clothing, and regular skin checks.
The best sun protection is the kind you can live in, wherever you happen to live.
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