Trash Talking
What makes a city “dirty”? Overflowing trash cans, litter blowing down sidewalks, and rats scurrying through alleys certainly fit the bill. To measure it, we created a Dirty Score based on three nationwide metrics: litter prevalence, sanitation complaints per capita, and rodent activity—with some extra weight given to illegal dumping and public cleanliness satisfaction where available. The result?
A definitive ranking of the 30 dirtiest cities in America.
30: Tampa, Florida
Dirty Score: 58
Tampa isn’t always thought of as messy, but nearly 10% of households report visible litter on their block. Sanitation complaints have been climbing as population grows, and rodent activity has picked up in the older downtown neighborhoods. And let's not forget that a hot climate means garbage odors linger longer as well.
Clément Bardot, Wikimedia Commons
29: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dirty Score: 59
Milwaukee has long battled rodent problems, ranking in Orkin’s top 25. Litter levels hover above average, and residents file frequent 311 complaints about overflowing bins and illegal dumping in alleys. Cold winters can mask the problem, but summer brings it right back.
Jeramey Jannene, Wikimedia Commons
28: Cleveland, Ohio
Dirty Score: 60
Cleveland’s vacant lots and older housing stock contribute to higher-than-average litter and illegal dumping. Sanitation complaints are steady, and rodents remain a stubborn issue in certain neighborhoods. Despite cleanup campaigns, residents often rank street cleanliness below average.
27: Atlanta, Georgia
Dirty Score: 61
Atlanta’s rapid growth has outpaced waste services in some areas, leading to high complaint volumes. The city regularly makes Orkin’s “Rattiest” top 20, and litter remains a quality-of-life issue downtown. Illegal dumping of construction debris is also a recurring headache.
known per ticket, Wikimedia Commons
26: Dallas, Texas
Dirty Score: 62
Dallas records thousands of sanitation complaints per year, particularly about missed pickups and illegal dumping. Rodents thrive in dense areas, and residents in HUD surveys report visible trash on their blocks at above-average rates. Suburban sprawl complicates waste management.
25: New Orleans, Louisiana
Dirty Score: 63
Famous for its nightlife, New Orleans also piles up the garbage. Street festivals and parades strain trash services, and 311 complaints about overflowing bins are common. Rodents thrive in the humid climate, and residents frequently note litter on their blocks.
Infrogmation of New Orleans, Wikimedia Commons
24: Memphis, Tennessee
Dirty Score: 64
Memphis residents report high dissatisfaction with street cleanliness. Rodent complaints remain elevated, and illegal dumping has been cited as a worsening problem. Litter levels are among the top third nationally, driving its Dirty Score up.
Andreas Faessler, Wikimedia Commons
23: Newark, New Jersey
Dirty Score: 65
Newark often lands on “dirtiest city” lists thanks to visible litter and trash-filled lots. Residents file numerous sanitation complaints per capita, and rodent problems remain persistent. Illegal dumping is another concern, particularly in industrial zones.
22: Portland, Oregon
Dirty Score: 66
Portland has struggled in recent years with garbage accumulation in public spaces. Litter is visible in many neighborhoods, and sanitation complaints have risen sharply. While rodent complaints aren’t extreme, resident satisfaction with street cleanliness is notably low.
21: San Antonio, Texas
Dirty Score: 67
San Antonio ranks near the top for per-capita sanitation complaints—nearly 9,000 per 100,000 residents. Certain zip codes are far dirtier than others, with illegal dumping reports piling up. Litter rates are moderate, but rodent complaints keep the score high.
20: Phoenix, Arizona
Dirty Score: 68
Phoenix deals with unique garbage challenges—trash builds up in dry washes and vacant lots. Residents file many sanitation complaints per capita, and litter levels are above average. Rodents are less of an issue than in wetter cities, but still a concern in older neighborhoods.
19: Houston, Texas
Dirty Score: 69
Houston’s size and sprawl mean sanitation issues vary widely, but illegal dumping is a big driver of complaints. Rodents thrive in the humid climate, and litter is often visible on busy thoroughfares. Resident surveys consistently rank cleanliness low.
Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons
18: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dirty Score: 70
Philly residents know the struggle—trash bags often line sidewalks, attracting rodents and pests. Litter levels are among the worst in the country, and 311 complaints pile up about missed pickups. Illegal dumping is another persistent problem in outer neighborhoods.
17: Santa Monica, California
Dirty Score: 71
Tourists leave behind plenty of trash, and locals file high rates of sanitation complaints per capita. Litter is often visible in busy beach areas. While rodent complaints aren’t extreme, satisfaction surveys place Santa Monica low for street cleanliness.
Bobak Ha'Eri, Wikimedia Commons
16: Detroit, Michigan
Dirty Score: 72
Detroit’s long struggle with vacant properties means litter and illegal dumping are recurring challenges. Rodent complaints remain high, and sanitation services are often strained. Surveys show residents are deeply dissatisfied with neighborhood cleanliness.
Crisco 1492, Wikimedia Commons
15: Glendale, California
Dirty Score: 73
Glendale residents report high levels of visible litter and trash complaints per capita. Overflowing bins are a recurring problem, and rodents remain an issue in densely packed neighborhoods. Despite sunny weather, the city struggles with basic street cleanliness.
14: Stockton, California
Dirty Score: 74
Stockton ranks high for both litter prevalence and sanitation complaints. Illegal dumping of bulky waste is a frequent issue, and rodent activity is above average. Resident surveys show a lack of confidence in waste services.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
13: Corona, California
Dirty Score: 75
Corona consistently ranks poorly on waste management. Litter levels are high, complaints about garbage services are common, and rodents are widespread in older neighborhoods. Illegal dumping complaints keep the Dirty Score elevated.
12: Reading, Pennsylvania
Dirty Score: 76
Reading reports high sanitation complaint rates, visible litter, and significant dissatisfaction with street cleanliness. Rodent issues are persistent, and the city ranks among the worst nationally for waste infrastructure.
11: Las Vegas, Nevada
Dirty Score: 77
The Strip generates mountains of trash, and even with frequent cleanups, 311 complaints stay high. Litter is visible in many neighborhoods, while rodents thrive in areas where food waste piles up. Residents rate cleanliness below national averages.
10: Miami, Florida
Dirty Score: 78
Miami’s mix of dense neighborhoods and heavy tourism creates sanitation headaches. Litter prevalence is high, and rodents thrive in warm weather. Residents frequently complain about overflowing bins and missed pickups.
Oliver Echeverría, Wikimedia Commons
9: Yonkers, New York
Dirty Score: 79
Yonkers has some of the highest sanitation complaints per capita in the country. Litter is a chronic problem, and rodent complaints add to the mix. Illegal dumping is also a major concern, pushing the Dirty Score high.
ajay_suresh, Wikimedia Commons
8: Long Beach, California
Dirty Score: 80
Long Beach has a reputation for dirty streets and overflowing bins. Litter prevalence is high, and sanitation complaints are frequent. Rodents remain a visible nuisance, particularly near dense housing blocks.
Eric Fredericks, Wikimedia Commons
7: Jersey City, New Jersey
Dirty Score: 82
Jersey City residents report constant issues with litter and overflowing trash. Per-capita sanitation complaints are high, and rodent activity is significant. Illegal dumping is also a major frustration, reflected in low satisfaction survey results.
David Merrett, Wikimedia Commons
6: Ontario, California
Dirty Score: 83
Ontario ranks near the top for visible litter and sanitation complaints. Industrial zones contribute to high illegal dumping reports. Rodent complaints are also above average, making Ontario one of America’s dirtiest.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Lance Cheung/Multimedia PhotoJournalist, Wikimedia Commons
5: Los Angeles, California
Dirty Score: 85
LA’s trash problem is well documented—overflowing bins, visible litter, and frequent sanitation complaints. Rodents thrive in alleys and parks, and residents consistently rank street cleanliness low. Illegal dumping of bulky waste remains a top issue.
BDS2006 (talk)., Wikimedia Commons
4: San Bernardino, California
Dirty Score: 87
San Bernardino ranks poorly on nearly every measure—litter, garbage complaints, rodents, and illegal dumping. Residents report very low satisfaction with cleanliness, and the city consistently lands near the top of “dirtiest” lists.
House10902 (talk)., Wikimedia Commons
3: Chicago, Illinois
Dirty Score: 89
Chicago has been named “America’s rattiest city” multiple years in a row by Orkin. Litter is common in many neighborhoods, and sanitation complaints remain high. Despite frequent street sweeping, public satisfaction scores are low.
Pedro Szekely, Wikimedia Commons
2: Baltimore, Maryland
Dirty Score: 92
Baltimore leads the nation in sanitation complaints per capita, with illegal dumping a chronic problem. Litter is visible across many blocks, and rodents thrive in neglected areas. Residents give the city some of the worst cleanliness ratings nationwide.
Oldlinestate, Wikimedia Commons
1: New York City, New York
Dirty Score: 95
America’s biggest city also ranks the dirtiest. New Yorkers file mountains of sanitation and rodent complaints each year. Litter is visible across all five boroughs, and satisfaction with street cleanliness is consistently poor. Illegal dumping and overflowing bins add to the problem—making NYC #1 on the Dirty Score list.
Daniel Schwen, Wikimedia Commons
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