Air Quality Index by City 2026
Weighted Annual Mean PM2.5 Concentration (µg/m3)
14.2 µg/m3
11.7 µg/m3
11.6 µg/m3
11.2 µg/m3
10.5 µg/m3
10.3 µg/m3
- PM2.5 values shown represent the highest annual average recorded at a monitoring site within each city. Values may not reflect air quality across the entire county and should not be used to rank counties by air quality. Exceptional events are included.
- Weighted Annual Mean PM2.5 Concentration refers to the average amount of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller suspended in the atmosphere. PM2.5 concentration is a key metric for assessing air quality and potential health risks associated with the inhaltion of such particles.
- PM2.5 concentration is displayed in microgrammes per cubic meter (μg/m³).
- See also: Dirtiest Cities in the World, Dirtiest Countries in the World, Pollution by Country
What Is the Air Quality Index?
Today, a lot of attention is being paid to climate change. As the condition of the planet continues to worsen, pollution continues to get worse. Many people, particularly those who suffer from chronic respiratory conditions, understand that poor air quality can exacerbate existing health problems. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the air quality index, which is usually shortened to AQI. This is a value that is typically used as a surrogate for how polluted, or clean, the air is in a certain city. The more contaminants and particulate matter are in the air, the higher the air quality index is going to be. In contrast, if a city has relatively clean air, then the air quality index should be low.
Which Global City Has the Best Air Quality?
There are a few places in the world that have the best air quality. Even though it is difficult to say which city has the best air quality, as the measure can change on a daily basis, there are several locations that are known for having clean air. For example, the vast majority of Scandinavia, including Sweden, Finland, and Norway, is known for having very clean air. In addition, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and most other locations in the Caribbean are known for having not only blue skies but also clean air. Finally, New Zealand, which is a few hours off the coast of Australia, is also known for having very clean air.
Which City Is the Most Polluted?
Even though there is some debate regarding which cities are the most polluted, most of them are located in India, China, and Pakistan. For example, the city with the highest air quality index, which means it also has the most contaminants, is Bhiwadi, located in India. It has an average air quality of approximately 106.2. There are a few other Indian cities that are on this list as well. Examples include Ghaziabad, Deli, and Jaunpur. China is also known for having very dirty air. For example, Hotan, China, has an average air quality index of approximately 101.5, signifying just how polluted it is.
What Cities in the United States Have the Best Air Quality?
Even though the United States also has its fair share of polluted cities, there are environmental regulations in place that help to keep the country cleaner than a lot of other places on Earth. Furthermore, cities in the United States tend to be smaller than others around the world. It is widely accepted that the two states in the United States with the cleanest air are Colorado and Wyoming. Specifically, Cheyenne, Wyoming is believed to have some of the cleanest air in the country. Some of the other cities with clean air include Boulder, Colorado, and Honolulu, HI. Keep in mind that air quality index reports can change slightly on a daily basis, so it is important to take a look at regular updates.
