The 20 “dirtiest” cities in America, according to a study

(NEXSTAR) — One of the South’s largest cities has dethroned an East Coast urban area to become the nation’s “dirtiest” city, according to a recent study.

LawnStarter, a lawn care provider, evaluated more than 150 of the largest cities in the United States, focusing on pollution, living conditions, infrastructure and resident satisfaction.

The study analyzed data from various federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Census Bureau, the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Houston tops the list of so-called dirtiest cities due to high levels of pollution, a significant cockroach problem and greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial facilities.

The researchers also cited a 2022 report from the nonprofit media organization Grist, which found that some of Houston’s “petrochemical facilities had seriously violated EPA safety guidelines.”

Last April, the EPA announced that chemical plants like those on the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana’s Cancer Alley must reduce toxic air pollution to help protect public health.

Despite these challenges, some Houstonians say they are more satisfied with their city’s cleanliness than residents of 33 other major cities.

Cities rounding out the top five include Newark, New Jersey (which previously held the title of dirtiest city); San Bernardino, California; Detroit, Michigan; and Jersey City, New Jersey. Here is the complete top 20:

1. Houston, TX
2. Newark, New Jersey
3. San Bernardino, California
4. Detroit, Michigan
5. Jersey City, New Jersey
6. Bakersfield, California
7. San Antonio, TX
8. Fresno, California
9. Oklahoma City, OK
10. Yonkers, New York
11. Shreveport, Louisiana
12. New York, New York
13. Birmingham, Alabama
14. Ontario, California
15. Los Angeles, California
16. Modesto, California
17. Palmdale, California
18. Hollywood, Florida
19. Las Vegas, Nevada
20. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Several California cities – like Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles and San Bernardino – also rank among the dirtiest. San Bernardino had the most dissatisfied residents when it came to cleanliness for the second year in a row.

Additionally, the study highlighted water problems in the South West, made worse by drought and climate change. Las Vegas was named the dirtiest in the region, ranking 19th, while Chandler, Arizona is the cleanest at 71st.

In Ohio, cigarette litter is a common problem statewide, according to the study. Cleveland had the highest percentage of smokers (29.1%), leading to littering problems despite strict laws. Columbus, however, had the lowest rate (22.1%) and was one of the cleanest cities at 137th.

On the other hand, Virginia Beach, Virginia emerged as the cleanest city for the second year in a row, showing low pollution levels and high consumer satisfaction. Other top performers included Fremont, California; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Des Moines, Iowa.

Click here to view the full study.