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AirHistory

Fastest-Improving Air Quality Cities

Of 1,020 US cities tracked, 346 show improving air quality trends over the past decade. These cities have the steepest downward AQI trend slopes — meaning their air is getting cleaner faster than anywhere else in the country.

Ranked by trend slope using 10 years of EPA monitoring data (2014-2023). A negative trend slope means AQI is decreasing (improving). The steeper the decline, the faster the improvement.

#1Hawaii, Hawaii

Median AQI: 235yr Avg: 25 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#2Carbon, Wyoming

Median AQI: 85yr Avg: 16 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#3Uinta, Wyoming

Median AQI: 65yr Avg: 21 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#4Rosebud, Montana

Median AQI: 35yr Avg: 23 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#5St Croix, Virgin Islands

Median AQI: 295yr Avg: 27 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#6Monroe, Michigan

Median AQI: 255yr Avg: 21 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM10

A

#7Matanuska-Susitna, Alaska

Median AQI: 145yr Avg: 17 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#8Alexandria City, Virginia

Median AQI: 65yr Avg: 6 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM10

A

#9Napa, California

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 39 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#10Colleton, South Carolina

Median AQI: 265yr Avg: 26 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#11Caguas, Puerto Rico

Median AQI: 65yr Avg: 10 Improving

Primary pollutant: NO2

A

#12Humboldt, California

Median AQI: 325yr Avg: 28 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#13Wyoming, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 275yr Avg: 33 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#14Jefferson, Oregon

Median AQI: 315yr Avg: 28 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#15Cook, Minnesota

Median AQI: 135yr Avg: 12 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#16Floyd, Indiana

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#17Floyd, Georgia

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#18Juncos, Puerto Rico

Median AQI: 95yr Avg: 9 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#19Douglas, Nevada

Median AQI: 285yr Avg: 22 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#20Jackson, Indiana

Median AQI: 355yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#21Fairbanks North Star, Alaska

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#22Jackson, North Carolina

Median AQI: 385yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#23Morgan, Indiana

Median AQI: 355yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#24Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Median AQI: 145yr Avg: 19 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#25Roane, Tennessee

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#26Fresno, California

Median AQI: 645yr Avg: 68 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#27Kern, California

Median AQI: 695yr Avg: 77 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#28Allen, Indiana

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#29Mercer, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#30Pike, Kentucky

Median AQI: 395yr Avg: 39 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#31Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

A

#32Howard, Maryland

Median AQI: 385yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#33Clermont, Ohio

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#34Westmoreland, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#35Orleans, Louisiana

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#36Anchorage, Alaska

Median AQI: 215yr Avg: 26 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#37Luna, New Mexico

Median AQI: 165yr Avg: 17 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM10

A

#38Madera, California

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 56 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#39Suffolk, Massachusetts

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#40Marion, West Virginia

Median AQI: 395yr Avg: 38 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#41Taney, Missouri

Median AQI: 295yr Avg: 26 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#42Prince George's, Maryland

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#43Marin, California

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#44Lemhi, Idaho

Median AQI: 325yr Avg: 40 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#45Northampton, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#46Maui, Hawaii

Median AQI: 205yr Avg: 21 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#47Montgomery, Tennessee

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#48San Joaquin, California

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 50 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#49Hughes, South Dakota

Median AQI: 145yr Avg: 13 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#50Silver Bow, Montana

Median AQI: 315yr Avg: 27 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#51Martin, North Carolina

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#52Cobb, Georgia

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 41 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#53St John, Virgin Islands

Median AQI: 225yr Avg: 21 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#54Deschutes, Oregon

Median AQI: 285yr Avg: 25 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#55Kings, California

Median AQI: 585yr Avg: 64 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#56Garfield, Washington

Median AQI: 175yr Avg: 20 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#57Bucks, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 395yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#58Ravalli, Montana

Median AQI: 225yr Avg: 22 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#59Bay, Michigan

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 32 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#60Elkhart, Indiana

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#61Howard, Indiana

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#62Monroe, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#63Chester, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#64Erie, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 39 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#65Athens, Ohio

Median AQI: 315yr Avg: 30 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#66Baltimore (City), Maryland

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#67Caswell, North Carolina

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#68Ellis, Texas

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 41 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#69New York, New York

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#70Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 46 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#71Maverick, Texas

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#72Mitchell, North Carolina

Median AQI: 335yr Avg: 30 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#73Scott, Iowa

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 52 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#74Hartford, Connecticut

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#75Lake, Ohio

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 41 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#76Sarpy, Nebraska

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 38 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#77Warren, Ohio

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#78Lubbock, Texas

Median AQI: 255yr Avg: 28 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#79Riverside, California

Median AQI: 795yr Avg: 82 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#80Orange, California

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 54 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#81Black Hawk, Iowa

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#82Ventura, California

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 50 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#83San Juan, Puerto Rico

Median AQI: 75yr Avg: 10 Improving

Primary pollutant: CO

A

#84Salem City, Virginia

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 34 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#85Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 46 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#86Aroostook, Maine

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#87Skagit, Washington

Median AQI: 305yr Avg: 28 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#88Solano, California

Median AQI: 405yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#89Greene, Ohio

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 41 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#90Hardin, Kentucky

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#91Harrison, West Virginia

Median AQI: 395yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#92Orange, Florida

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 38 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#93Androscoggin, Maine

Median AQI: 355yr Avg: 34 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#94Campbell, Kentucky

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#95Lynchburg City, Virginia

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 31 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#96San Luis Obispo, California

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 51 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#97Fayette, Texas

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 34 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#98Clay, Alabama

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#99Juneau, Alaska

Median AQI: 245yr Avg: 22 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#100Armstrong, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#101Calaveras, California

Median AQI: 405yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#102Posey, Indiana

Median AQI: 385yr Avg: 34 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#103Richmond, New York

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 41 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#104Wasco, Oregon

Median AQI: 275yr Avg: 24 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#105Berks, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 46 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#106Box Elder, Utah

Median AQI: 385yr Avg: 39 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#107Putnam, Tennessee

Median AQI: 385yr Avg: 34 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#108Hudson, New Jersey

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#109Jefferson, Ohio

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 50 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#110Lexington, South Carolina

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#111Rockingham, New Hampshire

Median AQI: 405yr Avg: 40 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#112Los Angeles, California

Median AQI: 675yr Avg: 75 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#113Muscatine, Iowa

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#114Bristol City, Virginia

Median AQI: 395yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#115Carroll, Indiana

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 34 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#116Merced, California

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 54 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#117Perry, Indiana

Median AQI: 385yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#118Lackawanna, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 41 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#119Tulare, California

Median AQI: 695yr Avg: 75 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#120Washington, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 50 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#121Warrick, Indiana

Median AQI: 385yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#122Chesterfield, South Carolina

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 39 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#123Kent, Maryland

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 40 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#124Maury, Tennessee

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 33 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#125Saint Louis, Missouri

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#126Washington, Minnesota

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#127Fairfield, Connecticut

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 46 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#128Thurston, Washington

Median AQI: 285yr Avg: 27 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#129Union, Oregon

Median AQI: 265yr Avg: 27 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#130Blair, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#131Kay, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 48 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#132Twin Falls, Idaho

Median AQI: 255yr Avg: 27 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#133Boone, Indiana

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#134Nassau, Florida

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#135Oconee, South Carolina

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#136Butte, California

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 52 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#137Charlton, Georgia

Median AQI: 275yr Avg: 26 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#138Montgomery, Maryland

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 41 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#139Cecil, Maryland

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#140East Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 48 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#141Lawrence, Tennessee

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 33 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#142Washington, Maryland

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#143Jefferson, Missouri

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#144Van Buren, Iowa

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#145Northampton, North Carolina

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#146Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Median AQI: 225yr Avg: 18 Improving

Primary pollutant: CO

A

#147Shoshone, Idaho

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#148San Mateo, California

Median AQI: 315yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#149Santa Barbara, California

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 46 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#150Wake, North Carolina

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 48 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#151Imperial, California

Median AQI: 615yr Avg: 61 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#152Muskogee, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 185yr Avg: 18 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM10

A

#153Clayton, Georgia

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#154Hyde, North Carolina

Median AQI: 265yr Avg: 23 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#155Scotts Bluff, Nebraska

Median AQI: 215yr Avg: 24 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#156Cowlitz, Washington

Median AQI: 225yr Avg: 22 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#157Harford, Maryland

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#158Miami-Dade, Florida

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#159Penobscot, Maine

Median AQI: 355yr Avg: 33 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#160Rapides, Louisiana

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 39 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#161Cass, Nebraska

Median AQI: 175yr Avg: 16 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM10

A

#162Delaware, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 51 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#163Erie, New York

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#164Shelby, Indiana

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#165Anne Arundel, Maryland

Median AQI: 405yr Avg: 40 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#166Kauai, Hawaii

Median AQI: 135yr Avg: 15 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

A

#167LaPorte, Indiana

Median AQI: 395yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#168Palo Alto, Iowa

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#169Coffee, Georgia

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#170Buchanan, Missouri

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#171Tippecanoe, Indiana

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#172Davidson, North Carolina

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 46 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#173DeKalb, Georgia

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 50 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#174Dubois, Indiana

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#175Guayama, Puerto Rico

Median AQI: 155yr Avg: 24 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#176Honolulu, Hawaii

Median AQI: 315yr Avg: 29 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#177Macoupin, Illinois

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 33 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#178San Bernardino, California

Median AQI: 715yr Avg: 82 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

F

#179Cass, Missouri

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 41 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#180Etowah, Alabama

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#181Garfield, Utah

Median AQI: 105yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#182Lawrence, Alabama

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 29 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#183Lucas, Ohio

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#184Jefferson, Washington

Median AQI: 215yr Avg: 22 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#185Lyon, Nevada

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 39 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#186Spencer, Indiana

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 42 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#187Franklin, Idaho

Median AQI: 245yr Avg: 25 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#188Lafayette, Louisiana

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 45 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#189Ohio, West Virginia

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 40 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#190Catawba, North Carolina

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 44 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#191Columbia, Georgia

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 35 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#192Ector, Texas

Median AQI: 335yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#193Kootenai, Idaho

Median AQI: 325yr Avg: 30 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#194Orange, New York

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 37 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#195Richland, South Carolina

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 43 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#196Stoddard, Missouri

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 31 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#197Washington, Nebraska

Median AQI: 335yr Avg: 31 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#198San Francisco, California

Median AQI: 325yr Avg: 38 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

B

#199Stafford, Virginia

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 36 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B

#200Clark, Illinois

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 34 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

B