City comparison
London vs New York air quality
Live AQI comparison between London and New York. Data updates every 15 minutes.
London and New York differ by 13 AQI points right now. London has cleaner air at this moment.
What drives air quality in London and New York
London
London air quality changes quickly between boroughs because the city combines dense traffic routes, mixed housing, and major green corridors. Nitrogen dioxide is often highest near main roads, while finer particles spread more widely during still weather. Wind along the Thames can improve one district while leaving others under persistent urban haze.
New York
New York air quality varies significantly between dense traffic corridors, waterfront zones, and neighborhood streets with lighter flow. Nitrogen dioxide often peaks near highways, bridges, and major bus routes, while PM2.5 reflects both local emissions and regional background transport. Building density can intensify street-level exposure in some parts of Manhattan and the Bronx.
Both cities are shaped by different combinations of traffic density, terrain, weather patterns, and seasonal events, which is why the same AQI band can feel different on the ground. Checking live readings rather than relying on reputation or past visits is the most reliable way to plan travel, exercise, or outdoor time between the two.
Live AQI from Open-Meteo (CAMS). Conditions change hourly — refresh for the latest readings. South African cities may show WAQI station data on their dedicated pages.