News Summary

A recent study by Prilla has ranked Houston as the smelliest city in the United States, with a freshness rating of 56.09. In contrast, El Paso has emerged as one of the freshest cities, demonstrating effective air quality management. The study highlighted key factors contributing to Houston’s odor issues, including industrial facilities and poor air quality. Health implications for urban odors and recommendations for improvement are discussed, emphasizing the necessity for better environmental management in Houston.

Houston Declared the Smelliest City in America, While El Paso Ranks Among the Freshest

A recent study conducted by online retailer Prilla has declared Houston as the smelliest city in the United States, with a freshness rating of just 56.09. The analysis assessed the odors of the 74 largest cities across the country, with Los Angeles and New York City trailing closely behind Houston in terms of unpleasant odors.

In contrast, El Paso, Texas, emerged as one of the top five freshest cities, boasting a freshness score that surpassed other major urban centers—even those with numerous industrial sites and pet households. While Houston struggles with significant odor issues, El Paso managed to maintain an exceptional air quality record.

Details of the Findings

Key factors contributing to Houston’s designation as the smelliest city include:

• The presence of 687 industrial facilities within city limits.
• A record of 63 days of unhealthy air quality in 2024.
• Nearly 50 sewage complaints per 100,000 residents.
• Over half a million households with pets contributing to the overall odor.

Conversely, residents of El Paso did not report any unhealthy air quality days in 2024. This noteworthy achievement reflects effective management of air quality despite the city’s own industrial activities.

Health Implications of Urban Odors

The presence of unpleasant odors in urban areas can lead to various health symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation. These issues raise broader public health and infrastructure concerns, particularly in cities like Houston where the odor is prevalent.

Urban areas plagued with persistent odor problems also face potential economic repercussions, such as decreased property values and heightened environmental justice concerns affecting lower-income communities. The Houston-Pasadena region is currently ranked as the seventh most polluted metropolitan area in the U.S. based on ozone levels, according to the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report.

Environmental and Public Health Landscape

High levels of ozone and particulate pollution in Houston pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. In fact, four regional counties—Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery—received failing grades for the number of high ozone days as reported by the American Lung Association.

These findings raise awareness about the implications of poor air quality and the urgent need for better environmental management and public health interventions.

Recommendations for Improvement

Experts suggest that cities like Houston adopt comprehensive strategies to improve air quality. Recommendations include:

• Reducing emissions from buildings and vehicles.
• Implementing green infrastructure solutions to enhance air quality.

Moreover, residents of Houston are advised to limit outdoor activities during Ozone Action Days due to significantly elevated pollution levels, which are often exacerbated by specific weather conditions.

Summary

The stark contrast between Houston’s status as the smelliest city and El Paso’s recognition as one of the freshest underscores the critical need for improved environmental policies and health awareness. As urban odor problems persist, addressing air quality will remain a pressing public health priority that requires immediate action and community engagement.

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• ABC 13 News
• Houston Chronicle
• Axios Houston
• Click 2 Houston
• ScienceDirect
• Wikipedia: Air Pollution in the United States
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Ozone
• Google Search: Houston air quality
• Google Scholar: Air Quality Houston
• Google News: Houston pollution

Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER

The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.