Fresno vs Modesto Air Quality Comparison
Which city has cleaner air right now, from the latest EPA AirNow AQI
As of September 23, 2026, Modesto, CA has cleaner air than Fresno, CA — AQI 59 (Moderate) vs 93 (Moderate), a gap of 34 AQI points in the latest EPA AirNow observations. Lower AQI means cleaner air. Fresno's reading is driven by O3 and Modesto's by PM10.
Fresno, CA
Moderate
Modesto, CA
Moderate
Summary
Modesto has 34 points better air quality
Modesto has an AQI of 59 compared to 93
Reduce Indoor Ozone in Fresno
Today's main pollutant in Fresno is ground-level ozone (AQI 93). Important: standard HEPA filters do NOT remove ozone — only a purifier with a substantial activated-carbon bed adsorbs it. The biggest wins are cutting indoor sources (gas appliances, certain "ionizer" purifiers) and ventilating when outdoor ozone is low (early morning). A high-carbon unit helps with the gases and VOCs that linger indoors.
Compare activated-carbon purifiers (for gases & ozone):
Prices are approximate and subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
5-Day Forecast Comparison
| Day | Fresno | Modesto | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | AQI 61 | AQI 50 | Modesto |
| Wed, Sep 23 | AQI 80 | AQI 67 | Modesto |