Boston vs Cambridge Air Quality Comparison

Which city has cleaner air right now, from the latest EPA AirNow AQI

As of September 16, 2026, Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA have effectively the same air quality — both at AQI 33 (Good) in the latest EPA AirNow observations. Boston's reading is driven by O3 and Cambridge's by O3.

Boston, MA

Good

StateMassachusetts
Dominant PollutantO3
CategoryGood

Cambridge, MA

Good

StateMassachusetts
Dominant PollutantO3
CategoryGood

Summary

Both cities have similar air quality

Our Pick

Reduce Indoor Ozone in Cambridge

Today's main pollutant in Cambridge is ground-level ozone (AQI 33). Important: standard HEPA filters do NOT remove ozone — only a purifier with a substantial activated-carbon bed adsorbs it. The biggest wins are cutting indoor sources (gas appliances, certain "ionizer" purifiers) and ventilating when outdoor ozone is low (early morning). A high-carbon unit helps with the gases and VOCs that linger indoors.

Carbon Value4.7(74,000+ ratings)
Levoit Core 300
True HEPA + activated carbon · CADR ~141 CFM · rooms up to 219 sq ft
Activated carbon + HEPA — targets gases as well as particles

Compare activated-carbon purifiers (for gases & ozone):

Carbon Value
Levoit Core 300
HEPA + Carbon
True HEPA + activated carbon · CADR ~141 CFM · rooms up to 219 sq ft
~$1004.7
Check Price on Amazon →
Best for Gases
Coway AP-1512HH (HEPA + Carbon)
HEPA + Carbon
True HEPA + activated carbon layer · rooms up to 361 sq ft
~$2304.6
Check Price on Amazon →
Large Room
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty
HEPA + Carbon
True HEPA + carbon · CADR ~246 CFM · rooms up to 361 sq ft
~$2304.6
Check Price on Amazon →

Prices are approximate and subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

5-Day Forecast Comparison

DayBostonCambridgeBetter
TodayAQI 60AQI 60Tie