2026 Allergy Capitals: The 20 Worst U.S. Cities for Pollen Allergies

The AAFA just released its annual Allergy Capitals report. Boise takes the #1 spot this year — but the real story is how climate change is making allergy season worse everywhere.

Published March 15, 2026 • Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) 2026 Allergy Capitals Report

What Are the Allergy Capitals?

Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) ranks the 100 most-populated U.S. cities based on how challenging they are for people with pollen allergies. The ranking considers three factors: annual pollen counts for tree, grass, and weed pollen; over-the-counter allergy medicine use (a proxy for symptom burden); and the availability of allergy specialists in the area.

The 2026 report, released on March 10, 2026, paints a striking picture: more than 106 million Americans experience allergies each year, and climate change is making the problem significantly worse. Pollen seasons are now 10–40 days longer than they were 30 years ago, and pollen concentrations are increasing.

The Top 20 Allergy Capitals of 2026

Rank	City, State	Why It Ranks High
1	Boise, ID	Tree pollen peaking earlier, longer grass season, low specialist access
2	San Diego, CA	Rising pollen levels, near year-round exposure, longer season
3	Tulsa, OK	High tree and weed pollen, intense spring season
4	Provo, UT	Multiple pollen types, low allergy specialist availability
5	Rochester, NY	Intense ragweed season, high tree pollen in spring
6	Wichita, KS	High grass and weed pollen counts
7	Raleigh, NC	Extended pollen season, high tree pollen, rapid growth adding vegetation
8	Ogden, UT	Multiple pollen types, dry conditions concentrate pollen
9	Spokane, WA	Early tree pollen, dry summer conditions
10	Greenville, SC	Long allergy season, high OTC medicine use
11	San Francisco, CA	Near year-round pollen exposure
12	Minneapolis, MN	Intense spring tree pollen, high ragweed in fall
13	Salt Lake City, UT	High pollen counts, low specialist access
14	Richmond, VA	High tree and grass pollen, long season
15	Colorado Springs, CO	Dry conditions amplify pollen spread, multiple pollen types
16	Little Rock, AR	Early spring pollen season, high tree pollen
17	Toledo, OH	High ragweed counts in fall, elevated spring pollen
18	New Orleans, LA	Subtropical climate, near year-round pollen exposure
19	Winston-Salem, NC	High tree pollen, extended season
20	Lakeland, FL	Subtropical climate, year-round pollen, high OTC use

Why Boise Topped the List in 2026

Boise, Idaho, claimed the #1 spot this year due to a combination of factors driven by climate change. Tree pollen in the Boise area is now peaking earlier in the season and lasting longer, while the number of days with "high" or "very high" grass pollen has increased significantly. At the same time, Boise has a relatively low number of allergy specialists per capita, making it harder for residents to access professional treatment.

Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of AAFA, stated: "Allergies disrupt sleep, undermine concentration, keep children home from school, and keep adults from work. We are experiencing a widening health threat fueled by climate change."

The Climate Connection

The 2026 report makes clear that climate change is the underlying driver of worsening allergy seasons. Warmer temperatures cause plants to release pollen earlier and for longer periods. Atmospheric rivers and drought cycles create conditions for higher pollen concentrations. The result is that many Americans now experience nearly year-round exposure to some type of pollen.

This trend is expected to continue. Climate projections suggest that by 2040, pollen seasons in many parts of the U.S. could be 20–40% longer than they are today.

What You Can Do: Drug-Free Allergy Management

If you live in one of the 2026 Allergy Capitals, proactive management is essential. Nasal irrigation is consistently recommended by ENT specialists and allergists as a first-line, drug-free strategy. By physically flushing pollen and other allergens from your nasal passages, you reduce the allergen load before it triggers a full inflammatory response.

The ATO Health Sinus Rinse Packets make this easy and effective. Each packet contains a pre-measured blend of pharmaceutical-grade sodium chloride and extra baking soda for superior pH balance and comfort. The baking soda is the key differentiator — it soothes inflamed nasal tissue and helps thin mucus for more complete clearing.