America is facing a convergence of challenges: rising immigration, deepening poverty, rampant drug addiction, and escalating pollution are stretching city resources thin. These pressing issues are culminating in a severe public health crisis, manifesting most visibly in the deteriorating state of cleanliness and safety in many urban areas. In this article, we look at the fifteen cities where this problem is most alarming.

Methodology

Dirty City Methodology
Image Credit: ISoldMyHouse

To rank the dirtiest U.S. cities, LawnStarter collected data on various factors and categorized them into Living Conditions, Pollution, Infrastructure, and Consumer Satisfaction, creating a comprehensive profile for 150 of the biggest U.S. cities.

  1. Living conditions: evaluated through a composite score, encompassing factors like population density, rates of overcrowded housing, and the absence of basic amenities such as kitchens and plumbing. The prevalence of mold, vermin, cockroaches, sewage issues, and homelessness per thousand residents contributed to the overall assessment.
  2. Pollution: determined by the median air quality index, water quality violations, and greenhouse gas emissions per capita. It also factors in the annual excess fuel consumption by auto commuters and the percentage of smokers in the population.
  3. Infrastructure: considers waste management and environmental sustainability. It includes landfill waste per capita, the effectiveness of state waste regulations, the availability of refuse and recycling services, the density of alternative-fuel stations, and the number of junk yards in the area.
  4. Consumer Satisfaction: reflects residents’ contentment with their surroundings. It measures the percentage of residents unhappy with the city’s cleanliness, pollution levels, garbage disposal services, and the quantity and quality of green spaces and parks.

#15 Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California Dirty
Image Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, grappling with pollution and discontent, finds itself amidst a cleanliness crisis and is ranked the 15th dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 15/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 45.59
  • Pollution Rank: 30
  • Living Conditions Rank: 29
  • Infrastructure Rank: 55
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 12

#14 Ontario, California

Ontario California Dirty
Image Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Ontario, CA ranks poorly for cleanliness and is ranked the 14th dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 14/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 45.62
  • Pollution Rank: 8
  • Living Conditions Rank: 63
  • Infrastructure Rank: 79
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 10

#13 Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham Alabama
Image Credit: Green Building Elements

Birmingham, AL, faces significant cleanliness challenges, especially with pollution coming in at the 13 dirtiest cities in America.

  • Overall Rank: 13/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 45.74
  • Pollution Rank: 94
  • Living Conditions Rank: 3
  • Infrastructure Rank: 20
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 19

#12 Manhattan, New York

Manhattan New York Dirty
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Manhattan faces ongoing challenges with cleaning up the city, making it the 12th dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 12/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 46.19
  • Pollution Rank: 102
  • Living Conditions Rank: 1
  • Infrastructure Rank: 62
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 13

#11 Shreveport, Louisiana

Shreveport Louisiana Dirty
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Shreveport struggles with cleanliness, placing it just outside the top ten dirtiest cities in the 11th spot.

  • Overall Rank: 11/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 46.34
  • Pollution Rank: 26
  • Living Conditions Rank: 86
  • Infrastructure Rank: 46
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 23

#10 Yonkers, New York

Yonkers New York Dirty
Image Credit: NY Post

Yonkers opens up the top 10 and ranks as the 10th dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 10/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 46.36
  • Pollution Rank: 46
  • Living Conditions Rank: 8
  • Infrastructure Rank: 128
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 14

#9 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Oklahoma Dirty
Image Credit: Google Maps

Oklahoma City faces significant sanitary issues, ranking 9th dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 9/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 46.51
  • Pollution Rank: 5
  • Living Conditions Rank: 25
  • Infrastructure Rank: 8
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 96

#8 Fresno, California

Fresno California Dirty
Image Credit: Reddit r/Fresno

Fresno is dirtier than Los Angeles and Ontario and ranks as the 8th dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 8/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 47.27
  • Pollution Rank: 31
  • Living Conditions Rank: 81
  • Infrastructure Rank: 121
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 5

#7 San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio Texas Dirty
Image Credit: Camille Sauers/MySA

San Antonio stands as the 7th dirtiest city, with notable concerns about the cleanliness of living there.

  • Overall Rank: 7/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 47.43
  • Pollution Rank: 34
  • Living Conditions Rank: 12
  • Infrastructure Rank: 29
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 36

#6 Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield California Dirty
Image Credit: Bakersfieldnow

Bakersfield faces significant challenges with filthy conditions, contributing to its position as the 6th dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 6/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 47.95
  • Pollution Rank: 27
  • Living Conditions Rank: 69
  • Infrastructure Rank: 122
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 7

#5 Jersey City, New Jersey

Jersey City New Jersey Dirty
Image Credit: jcitytimes

Jersey City ranks as the fifth dirtiest city in America and a challenging city to keep clean living conditions.

  • Overall Rank: 5/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 48.11
  • Pollution Rank: 50
  • Living Conditions Rank: 2
  • Infrastructure Rank: 110
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 15

#4 Detroit, Michigan

Detroit Michigan Dirty
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Detroit faces considerable cleanliness challenges, positioning it as the fourth dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 4/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 48.3
  • Pollution Rank: 9
  • Living Conditions Rank: 35
  • Infrastructure Rank: 89
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 4

#3 San Bernardino, California

San Bernardino California Dirty
Image Credit: NY Times

San Bernardino, grapplings with high pollution and is the 3rd dirties city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 3/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 51.58
  • Pollution Rank: 1
  • Living Conditions Rank: 56
  • Infrastructure Rank: 131
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 1

#2 Newark, New Jersey

Newark New Jersey Dirty
Image Credit: Greenbiz

Newark joins Jersey City and stands as the second dirtiest city in America.

  • Overall Rank: 2/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
  • Overall Score: 55.25
  • Pollution Rank: 14
  • Living Conditions Rank: 5
  • Infrastructure Rank: 97
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 3

#1 Houston, Texas

Houston Texas Dirty
Image Credit: Texans for Stronger Borders/Twitter

Houston claims the top spot as the dirtiest city in America, grappling with controversial Colony Ridge development north of Houston as a haven for illegal immigrants and significant problems.

  • Overall Rank: 1st dirtiest
  • Overall Score: 56.02
  • Pollution Rank: 3
  • Living Conditions Rank: 4
  • Infrastructure Rank: 12
  • Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 34