One of the best things about travel is seeing places that are completely different from home.
Unfortunately, sometimes that includes seeing places that are, well, a little dirtier than home, too.
And we’re not just talking about a little litter on the sidewalk or a few overflowing trash cans. Some cities struggle with much bigger issues, including air pollution, waste management problems, poor living conditions, and residents who are dissatisfied with local pollution and cleanliness.
A recent study took a closer look at those factors and ranked more than 300 of America’s largest cities to determine which are the cleanest…and which could probably use a good scrubbing.
A study conducted in 2025 revealed the U.S. cities with the worst pollution levels, taking into account factors such as overall pollution, inadequate living conditions, poor waste infrastructure, and how residents feel about the cleanliness of where they live.
The study was conducted by landscape care company LawnStarter, which analyzed more than 300 of America’s largest cities using data from a variety of government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Census Bureau, and County Health Rankings.
Each city received a score out of 100, with higher scores indicating dirtier conditions.
New York City, surprisingly, managed to avoid the top 10 altogether. However, nearby Newark, New Jersey, landed at No. 6 with an overall score of 48.06.
Perhaps even more telling, Newark ranked third out of all 303 cities when it came to resident dissatisfaction.
California, meanwhile, had a particularly rough showing.
San Bernardino claimed the top spot for the second year in a row, while Los Angeles came in at No. 2 and Ontario, California, landed at No. 5.
According to the study, San Bernardino’s repeat appearance at No. 1 was driven by a combination of poor air quality, heavily littered roadways, a relatively large number of junkyards, and a resident population where roughly 75% reported being dissatisfied with local pollution levels.
In fact, California dominated the air-quality category. A total of nine cities in the state tied for the worst median air quality score, one of the strongest state showings anywhere in the rankings—although probably not the kind California tourism officials will be putting in their brochures anytime soon.
Detroit came in at No. 3, with researchers citing the city’s relatively high smoking rate, significant toxic waste management activity, and inadequate living conditions.
Rounding out the top five was Reading, Pennsylvania, at No. 4. Among its challenges were greenhouse gas emissions that totaled 18.42 metric tons per capita.
Here are the rankings:
10 Dirtiest U.S. Cities
- San Bernardino, California
- Los Angeles, California
- Detroit, Michigan
- Reading, Pennsylvania
- Ontario, California
- Newark, New Jersey
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Jersey City, New Jersey
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Corona, California
10 Cleanest U.S. Cities
- South Bend, Indiana
- Wilmington, North Carolina
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Davenport, Iowa
- Athens, Georgia
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Frederick, Maryland
- Pleasanton, California
- Lynchburg, Virginia
Of course, “dirty” doesn’t necessarily mean a city isn’t worth visiting.
After all, some of America’s most popular destinations—including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York City’s neighbor Newark—attract millions of visitors every year despite their environmental challenges.
Still, studies like this serve as a reminder that a city’s appeal isn’t just about museums, restaurants, attractions, or nightlife. Clean air, well-maintained public spaces, and residents who feel good about where they live matter too.
And if nothing else, it’s always interesting to see which cities make the list—and which ones are probably hoping people don’t notice. 😏
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