Worst Air Quality in United States

Top 100 cities ranked by worst air quality

Best Cities For...

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics — 5 topics across U.S. Census, FBI, NOAA and CDC data.

Best Cities for Retirees

Low crime, warm climate, affordable cost of living and strong healthcare access.

Best Cities for Remote Workers

Strong broadband, affordable rent, low traffic and existing remote-work culture.

Best Cities for Families

Strong schools, low crime, affordable homes and family-friendly commutes.

Best Cities for Young Professionals

High incomes, educated peers, transit access and an under-35 demographic.

Most Affordable Cities

The lowest cost of living across home prices, rent, services and rent burden.

Population & Density

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense

Economy

Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Wages Cheapest Cost of Living

Housing

Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Highest Homeownership Newest Housing Lowest Property Tax

Demographics & Education

Most Educated Best Schools Most Graduate Degrees Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Most Veterans

Health & Safety

Safest Cities Highest Crime Healthiest Cities Lowest Smoking Best Doctor Access Best Dental Access

Climate & Air

Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities Sunniest Cities Snowiest Cities Cleanest Air Worst Air Quality

Quality of Life

Shortest Commute Most Work From Home

Civic & Politics

Most Republican Most Democratic Most Disasters

Geography & Infrastructure

Highest Elevation Best Broadband Most EV Stations Most Libraries Most Restaurants

All Countries · United States

Worst Air Quality — United States

1 San Bernardino CA AQI 87

2 Riverside CA AQI 87

3 Los Angeles CA AQI 80

4 Maricopa AZ AQI 77

5 San Diego CA AQI 71

6 Tulare CA AQI 71

7 El Paso TX AQI 67

8 Fresno CA AQI 67

9 Imperial CA AQI 63

10 Cameron TX AQI 61

11 Bernalillo NM AQI 61

12 Wayne MI AQI 55

13 Dallas TX AQI 55

14 Denver CO AQI 55

15 Orange CA AQI 54

16 Salt Lake City UT AQI 54

17 Colusa CA AQI 54

18 Hidalgo TX AQI 54

19 Franklin OH AQI 53

20 Oklahoma City OK AQI 52

21 Merced CA AQI 52

22 Madera CA AQI 52

23 Hamilton OH AQI 52

24 Philadelphia PA AQI 52

25 Tulsa OK AQI 51

26 Sacramento CA AQI 51

27 Durham NC AQI 51

28 Lafayette LA AQI 51

29 Lancaster PA AQI 50

30 Boulder CO AQI 49

31 Spartanburg SC AQI 49

32 Alameda CA AQI 49

33 Bowie TX AQI 49

34 Santa Barbara CA AQI 49

35 San Luis Obispo CA AQI 49

36 Saranap CA AQI 48

37 Atherton CA AQI 48

38 Castroville CA AQI 48

39 Solvang CA AQI 48

40 Highgrove CA AQI 48

41 Boyes Hot Springs CA AQI 48

42 Bear Valley Springs CA AQI 48

43 Fowler CA AQI 48

44 Oak View CA AQI 48

45 Lake of the Pines CA AQI 48

46 Kentfield CA AQI 48

47 Happy Valley CA AQI 48

48 Loomis CA AQI 48

49 Camino Tassajara CA AQI 48

50 Benton Park CA AQI 48

51 Pollock Pines CA AQI 48

52 Bonadelle Ranchos CA AQI 48

53 Myrtletown CA AQI 48

54 San Martin CA AQI 48

55 Gustine CA AQI 48

56 Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) CA AQI 48

57 Taft CA AQI 48

58 Ladera Heights CA AQI 48

59 Mecca CA AQI 48

60 Kensington CA AQI 48

61 West Modesto CA AQI 48

62 St. Helena CA AQI 48

63 Running Springs CA AQI 48

64 Villa Park CA AQI 48

65 Jamul CA AQI 48

66 Lucerne Valley CA AQI 48

67 Mammoth Lakes CA AQI 48

68 Rancho Calaveras CA AQI 48

69 Thermalito CA AQI 48

70 Piñon Hills CA AQI 48

71 Durham CA AQI 48

72 Palermo CA AQI 48

73 Jackson CA AQI 48

74 Sausalito CA AQI 48

75 Keyes CA AQI 48

76 Homeland CA AQI 48

77 Lemoore Station CA AQI 48

78 El Rio CA AQI 48

79 Huron CA AQI 48

80 Eucalyptus Hills CA AQI 48

81 Lucas Valley-Marinwood CA AQI 48

82 Ben Lomond CA AQI 48

83 Garnet CA AQI 48

84 Dos Palos CA AQI 48

85 Contra Costa Centre CA AQI 48

86 Denair CA AQI 48

87 Lakeport CA AQI 48

88 Pleasure Point CA AQI 48

89 Buellton CA AQI 48

90 Fruitridge Pocket CA AQI 48

91 Desert Palms CA AQI 48

92 Calipatria CA AQI 48

93 Yosemite Lakes CA AQI 48

94 Silver Lakes CA AQI 48

95 Mayflower Village CA AQI 48

96 Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) CA AQI 48

97 Hidden Valley Lake CA AQI 48

98 Ione CA AQI 48

99 Las Flores CDP (Orange County) CA AQI 48

100 Cambria CA AQI 48

Explore the top 100 cities ranked by worst air quality in United States.

City rankings help residents, researchers, and policymakers understand how communities compare across important quality-of-life measures.

Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and NOAA climate records.

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