For over 100 million Americans who suffer from allergies or asthma, the changing seasons bring more than just weather shifts—they signal the onset of sneezing, itchy eyes, and respiratory distress caused by airborne pollen. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released its 2025 Allergy Capitals report, and the findings reveal which cities present the greatest challenges for allergy sufferers.

The 2025 Allergy Capital Rankings

For the third consecutive year, Wichita, Kansas, has earned the unfortunate distinction of being named America's most challenging city for people with pollen allergies. The report, which analyzes data from the 100 most populated metropolitan areas in the contiguous United States, shows that the burden of seasonal allergies falls heavily on the southern and eastern regions of the country.

The complete top 20 cities ranked in the 2025 report are:

1. Wichita, KS
2. New Orleans, LA
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Tulsa, OK
5. Memphis, TN
6. Little Rock, AR
7. Raleigh, NC
8. Richmond, VA
9. Greenville, SC
10. Greensboro, NC
11. Virginia Beach, VA
12. Augusta, GA
13. Dallas, TX
14. Baton Rouge, LA
15. Winston-Salem, NC
16. Chattanooga, TN
17. Knoxville, TN
18. Charlotte, NC
19. Scranton, PA
20. Jacksonville, FL

What's particularly notable this year is New Orleans' dramatic jump from 34th place in 2024 to 2nd place in 2025. According to the AAFA, this leap likely resulted from an unusually high weed pollen season, possibly due to increased moisture from Hurricane Francine in September 2024 and record warm temperatures in November 2024.

Major Shifts in Rankings

The 2025 report reveals significant movement within the rankings, with California cities experiencing the most dramatic changes:

• Sacramento, CA jumped from #94 to #23
• Bakersfield, CA moved from #91 to #21
• Stockton, CA rose from #93 to #24
• San Jose, CA climbed from #97 to #41
• Fresno, CA improved from #78 to #28
• Los Angeles, CA moved from #85 to #51

The report attributes these California ranking changes to dramatically higher grass and weed pollen counts, likely resulting from wet weather conditions including atmospheric rivers that contributed to increased plant growth.

At the other end of the spectrum, Boston, MA ranked as the least challenging city (#100) for allergy sufferers, followed by Salt Lake City, UT (#99), and San Diego, CA (#97).

Climate Change: The Driving Force Behind Worsening Allergies

The report highlights a sobering reality: climate change is intensifying and extending allergy seasons nationwide. Research cited in the AAFA report shows that pollen seasons now start approximately 20 days earlier and last 10 days longer than they did 30 years ago.

Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are stimulating greater pollen production in plants, while warmer temperatures are extending growing seasons. Scientists estimate that climate change is responsible for about 50% of the increase in pollen season length and about 8% of the increase in pollen concentrations.

Practical Solutions for Allergy Sufferers

The AAFA report emphasizes that regardless of where you live, there are effective strategies to manage seasonal allergies. In fact, the report specifically addresses whether moving to a different region would help—the answer is generally no, as pollen can travel hundreds of miles, and people often develop allergies to the pollen in their new location.

Instead, the report recommends these practical approaches:

Prevent Pollen Exposure

• Track daily pollen counts and limit outdoor activities on high pollen days
• Remove shoes before entering your home
• Change and wash clothes after outdoor activities
• Shower before bed to keep pollen off bedding
• Keep windows closed during peak pollen seasons

Create a Clean Indoor Environment

One of the most effective strategies highlighted in the report is maintaining clean indoor air. This is where high-quality air purification systems, like those offered by Air Oasis, can make a significant difference for allergy sufferers.

The AAFA specifically recommends using "central air conditioning or air cleaners with a HEPA or Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified filter" to reduce indoor airborne allergens, including pollen that may enter homes through doors, windows, clothing, and pets.

Medical Management

The report also details various medication options, including:

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays (like Flonase, Nasacort, and Rhinocort)
• Non-drowsy antihistamines (such as Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec)
• Eye drops for allergy symptom relief
• Nasal rinses to physically remove pollen from nasal passages
• Immunotherapy options (allergy shots or sublingual tablets) for those who don't get complete relief from over-the-counter remedies

Understanding Pollen Types

The report breaks down the three main types of pollen that cause seasonal allergies:

1. Tree pollen (February-April): The first pollen to appear each year, causing most spring allergy symptoms. Common allergenic trees include oak, cedar, birch, maple, and elm.
2. Grass pollen (April-June): The most common cause of late spring and summer allergy symptoms. Allergenic grasses include Bermuda, Kentucky blue, orchard, and Timothy.
3. Weed pollen (August-first frost): Dominated by ragweed, which affects about 1 in 7 Americans and is found in every state except Alaska. Other problematic weeds include sagebrush, pigweed, and tumbleweed.

Allergy Capitals Report 

The 2025 Allergy Capitals report confirms what many allergy sufferers have suspected: seasonal allergies are becoming more severe and lasting longer due to climate change. While the report ranks cities by their allergy challenges, it also emphasizes that allergies affect people everywhere.

Creating a comprehensive management plan that includes environmental controls (with special attention to indoor air quality), medication when needed, and possibly immunotherapy for severe cases can help allergy sufferers find relief no matter where they live.

By implementing proper indoor air quality measures, including using high-efficiency air purification systems, allergy sufferers can create a sanctuary from seasonal allergens—something increasingly important as climate change continues to extend and intensify pollen seasons.

This article is based on the 2025 Allergy Capitals report published by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The full report can be accessed at allergycapitals.com.