Los Angeles vs San Jose 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 San Jose, CA — AQI 38 (Good) vs 53 (Moderate), a gap of 15 AQI points in the latest EPA AirNow observations. Lower AQI means cleaner air. Los Angeles's reading is driven by O3 and San Jose's by PM2.5.
Los Angeles, CA
Good
San Jose, CA
Moderate
Summary
Los Angeles has 15 points better air quality
Los Angeles has an AQI of 38 compared to 53
Extra Protection for San Jose Homes
Air quality in San Jose is moderate (AQI 53), 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 | San Jose | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | AQI 50 | AQI 37 | San Jose |