Metro area air quality · 2024

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median AQI 80 (Moderate). 10.1% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

80
Median AQI
10.1%
Good-air days
56
Unhealthy days
0%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 80 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Moderate band and a Very Poor metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 37 Good days (10%), 195 Moderate (53%), and 78 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (21%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 164 while the highest single-day reading hit 230 (Very Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 3.0 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +2 and the median AQI moved -5 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as stable. The metro recorded 56 unhealthy-or-worse days combined, on those days the EPA recommends that sensitive groups limit prolonged outdoor exertion, and many schools and athletic programs adjust outdoor activity accordingly. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ (6.8% good, AQI 86); Bakersfield, CA (20.8% good, AQI 72); San Diego-Carlsbad, CA (12.8% good, AQI 71).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

80

Moderate

Good Days

10.1%

37 of 366 days

Max AQI

230

Very Unhealthy

Health Grade

Very Poor

90th pct: 164

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

37

10%

Moderate

195

53%

USG

78

21%

Unhealthy

47

13%

Very Unhealthy

9

2%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Very Poor

The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area's air quality is rated Very Poor based on 10.1% good air days. There were 56 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

Air quality posed significant health risk in 2024. Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular conditions, children, pregnant women, and adults over 65, should monitor AirNow.gov alerts and limit outdoor activity on Unhealthy (AQI 151+) and Very Unhealthy (201+) days. Peak readings reached AQI 230, well into the Hazardous range.

Sensitive group advisory

People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, children, pregnant women, and adults 65+ should follow EPA AQI alerts daily and limit outdoor exertion when AQI exceeds 100. Real-time conditions: airnow.gov.

How does the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro compare?

How Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10.1%
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ 6.8%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 80
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ 86
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr worse than US avg
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 56
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ 12
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is stable in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro. Best year: 2023 (41 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 35 189 46 85
2021 9 258 26 80
2022 17 254 29 74
2023 41 237 32 67
2024 37 195 47 80

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA.

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ

AQI 86 · 6.8% good

86

Bakersfield, CA

AQI 72 · 20.8% good

72

San Diego-Carlsbad, CA

AQI 71 · 12.8% good

71

Visalia-Porterville, CA

AQI 71 · 20.8% good

71

El Paso, TX

AQI 67 · 22.1% good

67

Fresno, CA

AQI 67 · 19.4% good

67

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area? ▼
The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 80, rated "Moderate." 10.1% of monitored days (37 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA have? ▼
In 2024, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area recorded 56 unhealthy air days (47 Unhealthy, 9 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 230.
Is air quality in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2023 with 41 good days. Worst year: 2021 with 9 good days.
What does AQI 80 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 80 is "Moderate", air quality is acceptable, but some pollutants may pose a moderate health concern for a small number of sensitive individuals.
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is 164, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 230 (Very Unhealthy).
How does Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro has 10.1% good air days. Similar metros: Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ (6.8% good), Bakersfield, CA (20.8% good), San Diego-Carlsbad, CA (12.8% 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