10 Places With the Cleanest Air in America

There’s something in the air — more in some places than in others, apparently.

In its 2024 State of the Air report, the American Lung Association identifies the cities in the United States with the cleanest and the most polluted air, using data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

To reach its findings, the report analyzed cities based on measurements taken over a three-year period, from 2020 to 2022, and examined ground-level ozone air pollution, annual particle pollution and short-term spikes in particle pollution.

Along with the release of its report, the ALA pointed out some startling air quality facts:

• Particle pollution can increase the risk of lung cancer.
• More than 33% of Americans live where the air gets an “F” grade.
• Pollution is linked to increased risk of lower birth weight in newborns.
• Particles can be smaller than 1/30th the diameter of a human hair.

For our snapshot of the State of the Air report, we’ll go the optimistic route and look at the cleanest metropolitan areas in the U.S., as ranked for year-round particle pollution. Hopefully you live in one of them!

St. George, UT

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 9 (tie)

Population: 197,680

This region in southwest Utah didn’t fare so well in rankings for high-ozone days (67th worst among 228 metros) and 24-hour particle pollution (101th worst among 223 metros). But it made up for those with a strong showing in the measurement for annual particle pollution. Unfortunately, one Utah State professor expects the state’s air quality will keep getting worse.

Anchorage, AK

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 9 (tie)

Population: 400,470

The federal government and the state of Alaska have gone back and forth on a plan to reduce air pollution in Fairbanks, Alaska. But Anchorage, more than 300 miles to the south, performs significantly better in rankings for both daily and annual particle pollution.

Colorado Springs, CO

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 8

Population: 765,424

Despite its good ranking for annual particle pollution, Colorado’s second-largest city was 20th worst in the nation for high-ozone days with 12.5 for 2020-2022. In 2023, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered a 30% reduction in oil and gas emissions by 2025 and 50% by 2030 to help combat ozone pollution. Industry groups are compromising on the goal for now.

Duluth, MN-WI

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 7

Population: 291,323

Despite its high ranking for annual particle pollution, this region at the western end of Lake Superior was 43rd worst for 24-hour particle pollution during 2020-2022. A report in 2022 found that the Hibbard Energy Center — whose combustion of coal and biomass helps supply the Minnesota Power utility — “is associated with relatively high health impacts.”

Cheyenne, WY

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 6

Population: 300,658

Despite its high ranking for clean air, there were some issues in the American Lung Association State of the Air report — Wyoming’s most populous city and its capitol was 46th worst for most high-ozone days and 53rd worst for 24-hour particle pollution. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality blames summer wildfires in previous years for the high ozone measurements — because ALA studies a three-year span, those wildfires are still a factor in this year’s report.

Bangor, ME

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 5

Population: 100,723

This metro along the Penobscot River can boast of clean air credentials that include tying for first place in two metrics, thanks to recording no high-ozone days and no high particle days. The outlook isn’t as good in the water though. A 2023 EPA report said Maine had the highest amount of toxic water pollution in 2020 of all New England states, which include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Wilmington, NC

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 4

Population: 153,704

This metro in southeastern North Carolina tied for first for fewest high-ozone days and high-particle days (zero for both). Unfortunately for area residents, water quality is problematic, to the point that citizens have accused chemical manufacturer Chemours of committing human rights violations with its decades-long PFAS pollution.

Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 3

Population: 164,351

Annual particle pollution for this metro on the island of Maui has been steadily dropping since its peak in 2011-2013. It is also tied for the cleanest air in the country in the 24-hour particle pollution ranking. Meanwhile, the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force is doing what it can to improve the island’s ecology by measuring fecal indicator bacteria levels in recreational waters.

Casper, WY

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 2

Population: 79,601

Casper ranks 60th worst for high ozone days and 64th worst for 24-hour particle pollution. Residents complain a gravel mine under consideration near Casper Mountain could cause significant dust and noise pollution, lowering property values and harming wildlife.

Urban Honolulu, HI

This metropolitan area’s rank for year-round particle pollution: 1

Population: 995,638

The Aloha State’s capital and biggest city is at least tied for No. 1 in everything in the American Lung Association State of the Air survey. It has the fewest high-ozone days (zero), fewest high-particle days (zero) and lowest annual particle pollution. The outlook isn’t as rosy in the ocean waters, however, where the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation detected unhealthy levels of the fecal bacteria Enterococcus in several locations on the island of Oahu.