These are the states with the worst air quality. Where does Florida rank?

ORLANDO, Fla. – This year, U.S. News & World Report has released its latest ranking of the states with the best and worst air/water quality.

According to researchers, the study breaks down both of these factors using the following EPA data:

• Drinking Water Quality — The number of violation points accrued over five years by public water systems per 1,000 customers served
• Air Quality — The population-weighted average of available county-level figures reflecting the number of days the Air Quality Index was not rated ‘good.’

Overall, the top state on both counts turned out to be Hawaii, though the Sunshine State didn’t fall too far off.

In fact, Florida scored at No. 6 overall — No. 16 for air quality, and No. 13 for drinking water quality.

That said, some areas of the state have better quality than others. For example, the American Lung Association lists in its 2025 “State of the Air” report that only the following counties scored an “A.”

• Alachua
• Baker
• Bay
• Brevard
• Broward
• Collier
• Columbia
• Flagler
• Holmes
• Indian River
• Lake
• Leon
• Liberty
• Manatee
• Martin
• Okaloosa
• Osceola
• Palm Beach
• Pasco
• Santa Rosa
• Sarasota
• Seminole
• St. Lucie
• Volusia
• Wakulla

While the report doesn’t account for every county due to limited data, only one area of the state received the lowest “C” grade: Hillsborough County, which reportedly had four orange days on record.

Meanwhile, the rest of U.S. News & World’s report is as follows: