Top 10 cleanest cities in America heading into holidays

According to a recent analysis by Travel insurance comparison site InsureMy Trip of 50 U.S. CITIES  across a handful of key categories for cleanliness, that includes hand sanitizer demand; restaurant cleanliness; the quantity of recycling collectors; garbage disposal satisfaction; electric vehicle market share and pollution to determine the cleanest destinations in the time of COVID-19. Here are the 10 best cities heading into the holidays.

1. Long Beach, California

With an impressive score of 7.02 out of a possible 10, Long Beach earns bragging rights as the cleanest city in the nation. The beloved warm-weather destination fared exceptionally well in several important categories, including general garbage disposal satisfaction (9.73), electric vehicle market share (10) and restaurant cleanliness (10).

2. San Diego, California

Second-place San Diego San Diego posted high scores in electric vehicle market share (10), restaurant cleanliness (10) and garbage disposal satisfaction (8.82) but fell short of the top spot due to dismal marks for hand sanitizer demand (2.11) and recycling collector quantity (3.32).

3. Sacramento, California

Earning perfect scores for restaurant cleanliness (10) and electric vehicle market share (10), Sacramento was able to overcome lackluster scores for hand sanitizer demand (1.34) and pollution (4.47) to rank third overall.

4. Tampa, Florida

With Florida now meeting federal standards for air pollutants for the first time in a decade, Tampa is trending up in terms of cleanliness, riding its strong scores for pollution (7.89), quantity of recycling collectors (7.32) and garbage disposal satisfaction (10) to the number four spot.

5. Charlotte, North Carolina

One of only two East Coast cities to crack the top 10, Charlotte scored a respectable 6.09 out of 10. The North Carolina city is now in compliance with federal health standards for ground-level ozone, boosting its standing among the country’s cleanest cities.

6. San Jose, California

Nearby San Jose scores slightly better in part due to the city’s interest in hand sanitizer (3.5) and its perfect score for electric vehicle market share (10). However, San Jose’s restaurant cleanliness score of 6 out of 10 is the second-lowest of any city in the top 10. 

7. Oakland, California

The Bay Area is well-represented in the top 10. Oakland narrowly edges out Tucson with an overall cleanliness score of 5.73. Oakland did not receive a score for restaurant cleanliness but fared well in terms of electric vehicle market share (10) and pollution (7.37).

8. Tucson, Arizona

Tucson scored well in categories such as pollution, quantity of recycling collectors and garbage disposal satisfaction to place eighth overall (5.71), well ahead of nearby Phoenix (3.64) and Mesa (3.25). It’s worth noting that Tucson has been named one of the top five cities for best air quality.

9. Bakersfield, California

On the flip side, Bakersfield boasts the highest score of any city in the top 10 when it comes to hand sanitizer demand (4.28). The city also earned perfect marks for restaurant cleanliness and electric vehicle market share.

10. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is one of seven California cities in the top 10, receiving an overall score of 5.48 out of a possible 10. However, it should be pointed out that the city earned the lowest score for hand sanitizer demand (0.15) of any city in the top 10. Source:travelpulse