Sacramento Air Quality in October
Across 2019–2025, Sacramento's October air quality had a median AQI of 58 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA area. 5.5% of October days (12 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 51.2% of days. The cleanest October on record here was 2025 (median AQI 48, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2020 (median 78, 6 days above 100, peak AQI 181).
- Good: 30.4%
- Moderate: 64.1%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 4.1%
- Unhealthy or worse: 1.4%
Extra Protection for Sacramento Homes
Air quality in Sacramento is moderate (AQI 75), with fine particles (PM2.5) the main concern. A True-HEPA purifier gives sensitive groups — kids, seniors and anyone with asthma or allergies — cleaner air indoors on days like today.
Recommended: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty — True HEPA + carbon · CADR ~246 CFM · rooms up to 361 sq ft
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How is the air in Sacramento in October?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 58 across 2019–2025, with 5.5% of October days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓30.4% of October days were Good (AQI 0–50), 64.1% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓12 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the October peak was 181.
- ✓Best October: 2025; worst October: 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Sacramento in October?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Sacramento in October was 58 (Moderate). 30.4% of days were Good, 64.1% Moderate, and 5.5% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is October a good time for outdoor exercise in Sacramento?▾
A typical October day in Sacramento is Moderate (median AQI 58): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 18 of October days (5.5%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Sacramento's October air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 51.2% of October days in Sacramento. The highest October AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 181 (Unhealthy), in 2020.
Sacramento October air quality, year by year
Sacramento October air quality by year (Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 62 | 1 | 136 | PM2.5 |
| 2020worst | 31 | 78 | 6 | 181 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 31 | 54 | 2 | 115 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 65 | 2 | 112 | O3 |
| 2023 | 31 | 53 | 0 | 97 | O3 |
| 2024 | 31 | 55 | 1 | 101 | PM2.5 |
| 2025cleanest | 31 | 48 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
What October air means in Sacramento
A typical October day in Sacramento is Moderate (median AQI 58): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 18 of October days (5.5%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
October's median AQI of 58 is in line with Sacramento's whole-year median of 58, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median October AQI across every EPA metro area (102,872 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 38, so Sacramento runs above the national October norm; 5.5% of its October days topped AQI 100 versus 1.3% nationally (above average).
October is part of Sacramento's fall season (September, October, November); the fall page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Sacramento
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Sacramento's AQI at 75 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Sacramento air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA), 2019–2025. Daily AQI per CBSA is the highest AQI reported by any monitor in the area that day; the defining parameter is the pollutant that set it. Month and season statistics pool every such day in the period across all years listed. Retrieved 2026-09-09.