San Bernardino, Los Angeles Lead Most Polluted US Cities Survey

A 2025 survey by LawnStarter ranked San Bernardino, California, as the dirtiest city in America for the second consecutive year, with 75% of its residents expressing dissatisfaction with local pollution. Los Angeles followed closely in second place, with nearly 40% of its population living near heavily trafficked areas contributing to pollution. Other Californian cities such as Ontario and Corona also appeared in the top 10 dirtiest cities, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges despite state-level green energy initiatives led by Governor Gavin Newsom. Detroit, Michigan, and Reading, Pennsylvania, ranked third and fourth respectively, while Miami ranked 16th in North America, facing waste management and environmental concerns. The study assessed 303 major U.S. cities on factors including pollution, living conditions, waste infrastructure, and resident dissatisfaction, revealing that high greenhouse gas emission cities did not necessarily coincide with the dirtiest rankings. These findings emphasize the urgent need for improved environmental policies and sustainable urban planning across multiple states.