Pollutants, bad weather, high pollen counts, and several other factors can create difficulties for asthmatics and people prone to allergies. This article lists out some of the worst US cities to live in for people with asthma and allergies. Avoid these cities if you’re looking for a new home and have an allergy or are asthmatic, as various unfavorable factors and the environmental conditions in these cities can aggravate these health conditions.

1. Richmond, Virginia
One of the worst US cities to live in for people with asthma and allergies is Richmond, Virginia. The various factors that worsen asthma and allergies for people in this city include poor air quality, high pollen count and asthma death rate, and unfavorable public smoking laws. The city has a score of 100/100 in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2020 report, making it the worst city in the country.

2. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis has poor air quality and a Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 pollution level of 114, which is more than twice the standard level of 35. The rate of asthma cases, as well as the asthma death rate, is quite high, making it unlivable for asthma and allergy patients. Besides, a high pollen count and few specialists to handle asthma and allergy cases make it one of the worst US cities to live in for people with asthma and allergies.

3. Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is ranked as one of the worst cities in the US for people with asthma. The asthma cases and pollen count are high, and the city gets a score of 90.5, making it a harmful city for asthma and allergy patients. The PM 2.5 pollution average is 70, which is double that of the standard of 35.

4. Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton in Pennsylvania has an allergy score of 98.5, and the city was ranked eighth in the worst US cities to live in for people with asthma and allergies during spring. The only redeeming factor is that the PM 2.5 score is 15, which is quite good. The asthma cases and the death rate due to the respiratory condition are also high, which is why the city makes it to this list.

5. Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is another US city with an allergy score of 90.1, making it one of the worst US cities to live in for people with asthma and allergies. The PM 2.5 score is 39, and the environmental conditions of the city are not conducive for people with respiratory health issues.

6. Dayton, Ohio
Dayton has a poor PM 2.5 average of 93, and the city sees high sales of asthma medicines. This, coupled with the high number of asthma cases, make Dayton one of the worst US cities for asthma and allergy patients.