People are flocking to cities these days. The populations of major metropolitan areas are booming with hundreds of people moving daily. And while the benefits can be fantastic, there are some downsides to city living as well. One of those can be that cities are typically dirtier than other locations. But luckily here in North Carolina, it is not nearly as bad as it is in other places like New York City and Boston (the only place I’ve actually seen a rat on the street). Though often times city living does come with more pollution, trash, and yes even rats. But what cities are the dirtiest? Well, our friends at LawnStarter ranked 2023’s Dirtiest Cities in America. And the good news is that none of the highest-ranking dirtiest cities were in North Carolina.
In fact, the highest-ranked (dirtiest to cleanest) North Carolina city was ranked 93 on this list. This is out of 150 cities nationwide. Lawnstarter compared over 150 of the biggest U.S. cities across four categories, including pollution, living conditions, infrastructure, and consumer satisfaction. Six North Carolina cities were included in those that were ranked. Below you’ll find those six places ranked from dirtiest to cleanest cities in North Carolina. You’ll also find the top 10 dirtiest cites ranked. Live in the highest-ranking one? You may want to buy some air fresheners, mouse traps, or a can of Raid. You can never be too safe. And if I run across a rat I’m out.
View the full study here.
1. Raleigh
Overall Rank: 83
Overall Score: 32.99
Pollution Score: 77
Living Conditions Rank: 30
Infrastructure Rank: 95
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 99
2. Durham
Overall Rank: 100
Overall Score: 30.72
Pollution Score: 74
Living Conditions Rank: 140
Infrastructure Rank: 104
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 100
3. Fayetteville
Overall Rank: 119
Overall Score: 27.68
Pollution Score: 66
Living Conditions Rank: 142
Infrastructure Rank: 83
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 151
4. Charlotte
Overall Rank: 141
Overall Score: 23.27
Pollution Score: 130
Living Conditions Rank: 107
Infrastructure Rank: 119
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 87
5. Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina skyline from the west. (Photo: Raynor Garey/Getty Images)
Overall Rank: 144
Overall Score: 23.05
Pollution Score: 128
Living Conditions Rank: 104
Infrastructure Rank: 86
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 123
6. WInston-Salem
Overall Rank: 146
Overall Score: 22.2
Pollution Score: 131
Living Conditions Rank: 133
Infrastructure Rank: 72
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 140
1. Houston, TX
Overall Score: 56.02
Pollution Score: 3
Living Conditions Rank: 4
Infrastructure Rank: 12
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 34
2. Newark, NJ
Overall Score: 55.25
Pollution Score: 14
Living Conditions Rank: 5
Infrastructure Rank: 97
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 3
3. San Bernardino, CA
Overall Score: 51.58
Pollution Score: 1
Living Conditions Rank: 56
Infrastructure Rank: 1313
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 1
4. Detroit, MI
Overall Score: 48.30
Pollution Score: 9
Living Conditions Rank: 35
Infrastructure Rank: 89
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 4
5. Jersey City, NJ
Overall Score: 48.11
Pollution Score: 50
Living Conditions Rank: 2
Infrastructure Rank: 110
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 15
6. Bakersfield, CA
Overall Score: 47.95
Pollution Score: 27
Living Conditions Rank: 69
Infrastructure Rank: 122
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 7
7. San Antonio, TX
Overall Score: 47.43
Pollution Score: 34
Living Conditions Rank: 12
Infrastructure Rank: 29
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 36
8. Fresno, CA
Overall Score: 47.27
Pollution Score: 31
Living Conditions Rank: 81
Infrastructure Rank: 121
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 5
9. Oklahoma City, OK
Overall Score: 46.51
Pollution Score: 5
Living Conditions Rank: 25
Infrastructure Rank: 8
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 96
10. Yonkers, NY
Overall Score: 46.36
Pollution Score: 46
Living Conditions Rank: 8
Infrastructure Rank: 128
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 14
