San Diego vs San Jose Air Quality Comparison
Which city has cleaner air right now, from the latest EPA AirNow AQI
As of September 23, 2026, San Diego, CA has cleaner air than San Jose, CA — AQI 54 (Moderate) vs 57 (Moderate), a gap of 3 AQI points in the latest EPA AirNow observations. Lower AQI means cleaner air. San Diego's reading is driven by PM2.5 and San Jose's by PM2.5.
San Diego, CA
Moderate
San Jose, CA
Moderate
Summary
San Diego has 3 points better air quality
San Diego has an AQI of 54 compared to 57
Extra Protection for San Jose Homes
Air quality in San Jose is moderate (AQI 57), 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.
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5-Day Forecast Comparison
| Day | San Diego | San Jose | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | AQI 53 | AQI 54 | San Diego |
| Wed, Sep 23 | AQI 56 | AQI 51 | San Jose |