City living has its undeniable advantages, offering a bustling atmosphere, economic opportunities, and vibrant communities. However, it also brings with it some unwelcome guests: pollution, rats, and trash.

The extent of this problem varies from city to city, and a recent report from LawnStarter has shed light on the dirtiest cities in America, with one Louisiana city almost making the top 10.

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The study analyzed 152 of the largest cities across the United States, evaluating them in four categories: pollution, living conditions, infrastructure, and consumer satisfaction.

The report from Lawnstarter is a reminder that cleanliness is a collective responsibility that cannot be ignored. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about preserving the environment, ensuring a high quality of life for residents, and fostering a sense of pride in one's community.

So, which cities made it to the top of the list of the dirtiest cities in America?

  1. Houston, TX
  2. Newark, NJ
  3. San Bernardino, CA
  4. Detroit, MI
  5. Jersey City, NJ
  6. Bakersfield, CA
  7. San Antonio, TX
  8. Fresno, CA
  9. Oklahoma City, OK
  10. Yonkers, NY

What's The Dirtiest City In Louisiana?

Most people would probably guess New Orleans as being the dirtiest city in Louisiana. New Orleans gets a bad rap for being on the dirtier side because most people who travel or visit venture to the busiest parts such as the French Quarter or Bourbon Street where you may smell and see things you wish you hadn't.

In this case, New Orleans was not ranked as the dirtiest city in Louisiana, it came in at #54/152.

Surprisingly, it's Shreveport, Louisiana, that found itself getting the title of 'Dirtiest City in Louisiana' and ranked at #11 on the list. The report highlighted that cigarette butts and plastic bottles are the primary culprits when it comes to litter in many dirty cities across the country.

How other cities in the South fared in terms of cleanliness:

  • Birmingham, Alabama, ranked 13th
  • Jackson, Mississippi, secured the 21st position
  • Memphis, Tennessee, was placed at 25th
  • Atlanta, Georgia, also occupied the 25th spot

In the neighboring state of Texas, other cities didn't fare much better:

Houston, Texas topped the list at #1 and in this case, that is certainly the least coveted spot.

  • El Paso ranked 29th
  • Dallas came in at 32nd
  • Amarillo landed at 35th
  • Fort Worth settled for the 40th position

The States that put us to shame:

On a brighter note, some cities are setting the standard regarding cleanliness. Virginia Beach, Virginia, has earned the top performer title for the second consecutive year.

Fremont, California, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Des Moines, Iowa, are also shining examples.

Why this Matters:

According to Lawnstarter "San Francisco spent $72.5 million in 2019 to clean its streets, up from $46 million in 2017".

In short, the dirtier a city is, the more taxpayer dollars are used to clean it up.

LOOK: Here's where people in every state are moving to most

Stacker analyzed the Census Bureau's 2019 American Community Survey data to determine the three most popular destinations for people moving out of each state.

Gallery Credit: Amanda Silvestri

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