New Study Reveals the 10 U.S. Cities with the Cleanest, Freshest Air
City life usually comes with a price…traffic, noise, and sometimes smells you’d rather forget.
But a new study from Prilla shows it’s not all bad news. By analyzing sewage complaints, landfill density, unhealthy air days, industrial facilities, pet ownership, and even odor-related Google searches, researchers ranked America’s largest metros by how fresh their air really is.
The results may surprise you. Some of the cleanest-smelling places are big metros with strong infrastructure, while others are smaller cities that benefit from geography and climate. Together, they paint a picture of where in the U.S. it’s still possible to take a deep breath and actually enjoy it.
Below are the 10 freshest-smelling cities in the U.S., counting down to the one that truly tops the list.
10. Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln kicks off the list with a freshness score of 83.9, supported by low sewage complaints and zero unhealthy air days in 2024. The city’s strong community parks system and prairie surroundings help keep the air clean and breathable. It’s a reminder that even in the middle of the country, open green space makes a noticeable difference.
9. Stockton, California
Stockton comes in with a score of 84.7, thanks to just 11 unhealthy air days last year and relatively modest industrial activity. The city’s location in California’s Central Valley means fresh produce isn’t the only thing filling the air. Despite its struggles with growth and infrastructure, Stockton proves a busy metro can still have clean days.
8. Henderson, Nevada
Henderson earns its spot with only 18 sewage complaints per 100,000 people and 40 unhealthy air days, still low compared to many U.S. cities. As a fast-growing suburb of Las Vegas, it benefits from desert air and plenty of sunshine. Add in nearby access to Lake Mead and outdoor recreation, and it’s easy to see why residents breathe easier here.
7. Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City might surprise some by scoring 85.0 on the freshness index, despite sitting just across the river from Manhattan. With only four industrial facilities and manageable sewage complaints, residents here get city life without all the city stench. Waterfront views and breezes off the Hudson also help give it a leg up on its larger neighbor.
6. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach boasts zero unhealthy air days in 2024 and relatively few industrial sites, helping it secure a score of 86.2. Ocean breezes off the Atlantic do a lot of heavy lifting here, keeping the air crisp and salty. Tourists come for the boardwalk, but the cleaner air is part of the package too.
5. El Paso, Texas
El Paso scores 87.1, managing nearly 160,000 pet-owning households without a major odor problem. With its dry desert climate and mountain backdrop, this border city often smells more like sagebrush than smog. For a metro of its size, El Paso’s ability to stay off the stink radar is impressive.
4. Oakland, California
Oakland shines with zero unhealthy air days and just eight industrial facilities, giving it a strong score of 87.9. The city’s Bay Area location means cleaner air is carried in with coastal winds, balancing out its urban density. For a region that struggles with pollution, Oakland’s numbers are a bright spot.
3. Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage’s pristine environment shows in the numbers: zero unhealthy air days and just 0.36 landfills per 100,000 residents. Scoring 88.2, the city proves that Alaska’s wilderness isn’t just scenic—it’s refreshing. It’s one of the few major U.S. cities where clean, crisp air is practically a given.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu hits 89.2, benefiting from year-round trade winds and zero unhealthy air days in 2024. With beaches, plumeria trees, and salty sea air, the Hawaiian capital smells just about as close to paradise as it gets. Even its modest industrial footprint is no match for the natural environment’s cleansing power.
1. Reno, Nevada
Reno takes the crown as the freshest-smelling city in the U.S. with a score of 90.2. Low sewage complaints, minimal industrial activity, and only four unhealthy air days make it stand out. Surrounded by mountains and high desert, the “Biggest Little City” proves you don’t need to live in a tiny town to breathe clean.
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