Sacramento, California vs Los Angeles, California Air Quality
Side-by-side air quality comparison using 10 years of EPA monitoring data. Sacramento, California has the edge with an Air Quality Grade of C (53/100).
| Metric | Sacramento, California | Los Angeles, California |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality Grade | C (53/100) | D (36/100) |
| Current Median AQI | 51 (Moderate) | 67 (Moderate) |
| 5-Year Average AQI | 53 | 75 |
| 10-Year Trend | ↓ Improving (-4) | ↓ Improving (-15) |
| Unhealthy Days/Year | 23 | 100 |
| Primary Pollutant | Ground-Level Ozone | Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) |
Analysis
Sacramento, California outperforms Los Angeles, California on overall air quality. With a Grade C (53/100) and a median AQI of 51,Sacramento, California is currently in the "Moderate" range and is improving over the past decade.
The cities face different pollutant challenges: Sacramento, California's dominant issue is ground-level ozone, while Los Angeles, California primarily contends with fine particulate matter (pm2.5). This means the seasonal and health risk patterns differ — check each city's individual page for detailed breakdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sacramento, California has better air quality with a Grade C (53/100) compared to Los Angeles, California's Grade D (36/100). Sacramento, California has a current median AQI of 51 and is improving over the past decade.
Sacramento, California averages 23 unhealthy air days per year (5-year average), while Los Angeles, California averages 100. Unhealthy days are those when AQI exceeds 100 and sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity.
Sacramento, California's primary pollutant is Ground-Level Ozone, while Los Angeles, California's is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). Different dominant pollutants mean different seasonal and health risk patterns.