San Francisco vs San Jose 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 San Jose, CA — AQI 36 (Good) vs 53 (Moderate), a gap of 17 AQI points in the latest EPA AirNow observations. Lower AQI means cleaner air. San Francisco's reading is driven by PM2.5 and San Jose's by PM2.5.
San Francisco, CA
Good
San Jose, CA
Moderate
Summary
San Francisco has 17 points better air quality
San Francisco has an AQI of 36 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 | San Francisco | San Jose | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | AQI 44 | AQI 37 | San Jose |
| Wed, Sep 16 | AQI 50 | AQI 37 | San Jose |