Los Angeles vs New York Air Quality Comparison
Which city has cleaner air right now, from the latest EPA AirNow AQI
As of September 16, 2026, Los Angeles, CA has cleaner air than New York, NY — AQI 38 (Good) vs 52 (Moderate), a gap of 14 AQI points in the latest EPA AirNow observations. Lower AQI means cleaner air. Los Angeles's reading is driven by O3 and New York's by PM2.5.
Los Angeles, CA
Good
New York, NY
Moderate
Summary
Los Angeles has 14 points better air quality
Los Angeles has an AQI of 38 compared to 52
Extra Protection for New York Homes
Air quality in New York is moderate (AQI 52), with fine particles (PM2.5) the main concern. A True-HEPA purifier gives sensitive groups — kids, seniors and anyone with asthma or allergies — cleaner air indoors on days like today.
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5-Day Forecast Comparison
| Day | Los Angeles | New York | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | AQI 50 | AQI 55 | Los Angeles |