San Francisco vs Sacramento Air Quality Comparison
Which city has cleaner air right now, from the latest EPA AirNow AQI
As of September 16, 2026, San Francisco, CA has cleaner air than Sacramento, CA — AQI 36 (Good) vs 43 (Good), a gap of 7 AQI points in the latest EPA AirNow observations. Lower AQI means cleaner air. San Francisco's reading is driven by PM2.5 and Sacramento's by PM2.5.
San Francisco, CA
Good
Sacramento, CA
Good
Summary
San Francisco has 7 points better air quality
San Francisco has an AQI of 36 compared to 43
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Even with good outdoor air in Sacramento, indoor PM2.5, dust and allergens build up. A True-HEPA purifier keeps a bedroom or office consistently clean.
Compare top-rated True-HEPA purifiers:
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
| Day | San Francisco | Sacramento | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | AQI 44 | AQI 38 | Sacramento |
| Wed, Sep 16 | AQI 50 | AQI 43 | Sacramento |