City in Alaska, United States
Air quality in Anchorage
Meets the WHO guideline
The annual average PM2.5 in Anchorage was 5 µg/m³ in 2021, about 1.0 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Wildfire smoke from interior Alaska in June–August and winter inversions can reduce air quality at times.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 5 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Anchorage, AK.
- PM10: 10 µg/m³ (2021).
- Recent average: 5.6 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2015 |
Air quality across United States
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Maui | 2 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Honolulu | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Kauai | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Big Island | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Anchorage | 5 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Lake Tahoe | 5.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Portland | 5.8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Denver | 6 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Seattle | 6.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Miami | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Miami Beach | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Washington, D.C. | 6.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Boston | 6.4 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Orlando | 6.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| New York City | 7.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Philadelphia | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Charleston | 7.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Nashville | 7.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Scottsdale | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Napa Valley | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| New Orleans | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| San Diego | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Atlanta | 8.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Dallas | 8.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Chicago | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Austin | 9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| San Antonio | 9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Las Vegas | 9.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Los Angeles | 10.5 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Houston | 11.1 µg/m³ | Moderate |
Quick answers
Is the air in Anchorage bad?
Meets the WHO guideline: 5 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 1.0× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Anchorage?
Wildfire smoke from interior Alaska in June–August and winter inversions can reduce air quality at times.
How does Anchorage compare with the rest of United States?
People in United States breathe 7 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 5 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Anchorage
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- People Mover (Municipality of Anchorage)
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
- Alaska Railroad
- Visit Anchorage
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.