Cities With Best Air Quality in the United States 2025 Guide

Air quality matters. Whether you love a refreshing morning jog, suffer from allergies, or just want to breathe better air, where you live or where you travel to can seriously affect your lungs, energy levels, and overall wellness.

So, where is the best air quality in America?

We compiled a list of cities with the best air quality in the United States, based on the latest data from the American Lung Association and environmental monitoring reports from 2025. These places don’t just look clean, they are clean. Read on.

🌬️Where Is the Best Air Quality in America Right Now?

The following cities consistently rank high for having the cleanest air in the United States, both in terms of low outdoor air pollution and for their strong efforts in improving their citizens’ health. These cities typically have:

✔️ Low ozone levels (smog)
✔️ Minimal (soot) particle pollution (PM 2.5)
✔️ Access to green space and clean public transit
✔️ Strong indoor-outdoor air quality policies

Casper, Wyoming

Casper consistently ranks as one of the cities with least air pollution and is often in the number one ranking for the top cleanest city in the United States. Generally, the entire state of Wyoming benefits from having a low population, limited industrial growth and low manmade pollution.
Casper features wide, open spaces like forests and mountains which help cleanse the air. Additionally, Casper’s strong windy conditions carry pollutants away from the area.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Tied with Casper for the city with the cleanest air in the U.S. is Honolulu. This stunning Hawaiian city scores “A” grades for its clean air. Honolulu is a tropical paradise surrounded by ocean breezes and trade winds that help disperse pollution. The importance of nature-based living and outdoor wellness makes this U.S. city a dream for anyone sensitive to air pollution.

Bangor, Maine

Looking for a small city with crystal-clear air? Bangor is your answer. In the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report, Bangor ranked among the nation’s cleanest metro areas. The Bangor metro area is ranked among the country’s cleanest cities for both short-term particle (soot) and ozone pollution (smog). Fun fact: Stephen King has a home here that is now a writer’s retreat.

In general, Bangor has lower smog patterns that impact nearby cities like Portland. This Maine city has a vast amount of natural green space, which includes a sizeable city forest with over 900 park acres available to the public. Bangor’s City Forest alone has 680 acres of diverse green and wildlife habitats. Green spaces act as natural filters for the air which in turn make our living spaces healthier.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Like Bangor, Cheyenne ranks as one of the cleanest air cities in the U.S, according to the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report. It ranked at number 8 nationally for lowest year-round particle pollution (PM2.5) and continues to improve on short-term air quality metrics. Thanks to Cheyenne’s wide-open plains and strong, steady winds, pollutants disperse quickly, helping maintain clean air.

If you’re looking for a high-elevation city with clean skies and healthy air, Cheyenne makes the list. It’s an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to escape urban pollutants.

Wilmington, North Carolina

This coastal town is just as clean as it is charming. Wilmington consistently ranks among the top U.S. cities for both low ozone and low particle pollution levels. Coastal winds naturally circulate the air, reducing the buildup of air pollutants that often affect inland metro areas.

Wilmington’s progressive environmental policies also play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Local efforts have reduced industrial emissions without sacrificing economic growth, and a strong emphasis on sustainability has made clean air a long-term priority. With green initiatives, ocean air, and a low population density, Wilmington earns its place among the cities with the best air quality in the United States.

Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck may not be on your radar, but when it comes to cities with the best air quality in the United States, it definitely should be. It has steady wind flow and fantastic city planning that emphasizes green space. In the 2025 State of the Air report, Bismarck scored high for both ozone and particle pollution control.

What sets Bismarck apart is its smart city planning. The city emphasizes open green space and zoning laws that help keep residential areas shielded from pollution sources. With a humid continental climate and frequent winds, the air stays fresh year-round.

Thanks to its low population density, minimal traffic congestion, and lack of heavy air pollution, Bismarck delivers on having some of the cleanest air in the United States.

Poor Outdoor Air Quality Still Persists

While the above places are leading the way in cities with the best air quality in the United States, poor outdoor air quality is still a problem across many urban areas. High population density, heavy smog, aging infrastructure, and fossil fuel dependency continue to plague major cities like:

✔️ Los Angeles, CA
✔️ Bakersfield, CA
✔️ Phoenix, AZ
✔️ Houston, TX
✔️ Chicago, IL

These are often listed among the most polluted cities in the U.S., especially for ozone and fine particle pollution.

🏡 Clean Air City With Bad Indoor Air Pollution

Even if you live in a city with good outdoor air, poor indoor air quality can still affect your home. Things like dust, off-gassing furniture, emissions and gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from cooking can spike levels of indoor air pollution, especially in well-sealed modern homes. That’s where indoor air wellness comes in. You can improve air quality inside by using air purifiers, ventilating your home, and adding oxygen-producing indoor plants that naturally clean the air.

If you need ideas, check out our guide on the 30 Highest Oxygen Producing Indoor Plants. It’s a game-changer for air-polluted spaces.

✅ Quick Tips to Improve Air Quality Where You Live

Even if you don’t plan to move to Hawaii or North Dakota, here’s what you can do today:

Final Thoughts On Cities With the Best Air Quality In the U.S.

The cities with best air quality in the United States offer more than just creature comforts; They also help support healthier lungs, reduce allergies, and offer overall wellness. Whether you’re visiting, relocating, or just making your current space healthier, having access to good outdoor and indoor air quality helps you breathe easier and better.

And even if you can’t move to Hawaii? Maybe just get a couple of Areca Palms and start there!