Americans' Ideal Sleep Temperature Might Shock You — What the Landmark Study Revealed

When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep? Be honest with yourself!

Perhaps it has something to do with the thermostat, or the right amount of draft from outside. Indeed, a new report is stressing the role temperature plays in how Americans get some serious shuteye.

Sleep wellness brand Bear Mattress recently conducted a landmark study timed to America’s 250th anniversary, uncovering how the nation truly rests. Surveying more than 2,000 adults across all 50 states, the research is said to have mapped sleep comfort, temperature preferences and bedtime behaviors, revealing how geography and generation shape the way Americans wind down.

The findings point to one clear takeaway: The country’s ideal sleep temperature is a refreshingly cool 67°F, offering a data-driven snapshot of how the nation sleeps as it celebrates its semiquincentennial.

Yes, you read correctly. That go-to number of “78 degrees” is apparently a thing of a past, as Americans clearly likely it more than 10 notches lower overnight.

Per Bear Mattress’ news release dated Tuesday, August 4, here are some key findings surrounding sleep temperatures:

• The sweet spot for slumber is 67°F, a perfect balance of cool comfort and cozy warmth. It’s the temperature most Americans say helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer
• Almost one in four couples admit to arguing over the thermostat, proving that temperature isn’t just a sleep issue, it’s a relationship one.
• Hawaii tops the charts as the warmest sleeping state at 69.5°F, while Massachusetts sleeps the coldest at 63.2°F. Regional climate plays a major role in how Americans define “comfortable.”

Temperature isn’t the only factor shaping America’s sleep, though. The survey conducted by Bear also explored habits, routines, locations and generational quirks that define bedtime in 2026. Here are a couple other takeaways:

• Nearly half of Americans spend the equivalent of three full months every year in bed, making sleep one of the most time-consuming, and essential, parts of daily life.
• Millennials are more likely to use their phones in bed than Gen Z, highlighting how technology continues to blur the line between rest and connectivity.