Metro area air quality · 2024

Cambridge, MD

Median AQI 40 (Good). 80.3% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

40
Median AQI
80.3%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
66%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Cambridge, MD metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 40 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Good metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 294 Good days (80%), 71 Moderate (19%), and 1 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 57 while the highest single-day reading hit 108 (USG). Metro residents averaged roughly 24.1 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -45 and the median AQI moved +4 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. The metro avoided any Unhealthy-tier days entirely, an outcome that typically reflects favorable wind patterns, lower industrial density, or effective regional emission controls. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include Bismarck, ND (73.0% good, AQI 40); Charleston, WV (77.8% good, AQI 40); Charlottesville, VA (78.9% good, AQI 40).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

40

Good

Good Days

80.3%

294 of 366 days

Max AQI

108

USG

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 57

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

294

80%

Moderate

71

19%

USG

1

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Cambridge, MD metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 80.3% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2024.

Air quality is generally acceptable. Unusually sensitive people should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov during high-pollution events.

How does the Cambridge, MD metro compare?

How Cambridge, MD compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Cambridge, MD 80.3%
Bismarck, ND 73.0%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Cambridge, MD 40
Bismarck, ND 40
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Cambridge, MD 0
Bismarck, ND 2
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Cambridge, MD metro. Best year: 2020 (339 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 339 26 0 36
2021 287 77 0 41
2022 274 91 0 43
2023 268 90 3 44
2024 294 71 0 40

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Cambridge, MD.

Bismarck, ND

AQI 40 · 73.0% good

40

Charleston, WV

AQI 40 · 77.8% good

40

Charlottesville, VA

AQI 40 · 78.9% good

40

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL

AQI 40 · 78.3% good

40

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

AQI 40 · 75.4% good

40

Jefferson City, MO

AQI 40 · 95.0% good

40

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

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All Metro Areas

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Air Quality Guides

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Understanding AQI

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Health Effects of Air Pollution

How PM2.5 and ozone exposure affects respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Cambridge, MD metro area? ▼
The Cambridge, MD metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 40, rated "Good." 80.3% of monitored days (294 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Cambridge, MD have? ▼
In 2024, the Cambridge, MD metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 108.
Is air quality in Cambridge, MD getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Cambridge, MD metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 339 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 268 good days.
What does AQI 40 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 40 is "Good", air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk. This is the best category on the EPA's AQI scale.
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Cambridge, MD? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Cambridge, MD metro area is 57, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 108 (USG).
How does Cambridge, MD compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Cambridge, MD metro has 80.3% good air days. Similar metros: Bismarck, ND (73.0% good), Charleston, WV (77.8% good), Charlottesville, VA (78.9% good).

Data Sources

Primary Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Air Quality System (AQS), Annual AQI by CBSA dataset, 2020–2024. The AQS collects ambient air monitoring data from state, local, and tribal monitoring agencies across the United States.

Metrics: Air Quality Index (AQI) is calculated using EPA-standard breakpoints for six criteria pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2, CO, and SO2. Median AQI, max AQI, and 90th percentile AQI are computed from daily measurements. Good days percentage reflects days with AQI 0–50.

Coverage: 501 metro areas (Core Based Statistical Areas). Only metros with active monitoring stations are included. Unmonitored areas are not represented.

Read our methodology , how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Source: U.S. EPA, AirNow / AQS Air Quality Index readings and pollutant concentrations · 2025