Allergies worse this spring? Report ranks toughest cities for seasonal sufferers

WASHINGTON — If your allergy symptoms are feeling worse this year, there may be a reason why.

A new report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says pollen seasons are getting longer and more intense, with climate change helping drive stronger allergy seasons in many parts of the country.

The group’s 2026 Allergy Capitals report ranks the 100 largest metro areas in the contiguous U.S. based on how difficult they are for people living with pollen allergies. The rankings are based on tree, grass and weed pollen levels, over-the-counter allergy medicine use, and access to board-certified allergists.

AAFA said warmer temperatures, intense rainstorms and drought have contributed to more pollen spikes and longer seasons, especially in the West. Several parts of the U.S. now have pollen nearly year-round.

More than 106 million people in the U.S. have allergies or asthma, according to the report.

Pollen is a major trigger for seasonal allergy symptoms. The foundation said people can reduce symptoms by checking daily pollen forecasts, limiting pollen indoors, showering before bed, using saline rinses and starting allergy medications before peak season begins.

1. Boise, Idaho
2. San Diego, California
3. Tulsa, Oklahoma
4. Provo, Utah
5. Rochester, New York
6. Wichita, Kansas
7. Raleigh, North Carolina
8. Ogden, Utah
9. Spokane, Washington
10. Greenville, South Carolina
11. San Francisco, California
12. Minneapolis, Minnesota
13. Salt Lake City, Utah
14. Richmond, Virginia
15. Colorado Springs, Colorado
16. Little Rock, Arkansas
17. Toledo, Ohio
18. New Orleans, Louisiana
19. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
20. Lakeland, Florida

AAFA noted the rankings are based on data from the previous year and may not reflect current conditions exactly, but said the overall trend shows allergy seasons are getting more severe for many Americans.