Vancouver's air ranks fourth cleanest in the world as two Canadian cities top global pollution list
Vancouver's air quality index sits at 15, placing it among the world's cleanest, while Toronto and Montreal struggle with moderate pollution.
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Vancouver's air quality ranks among the cleanest in the world, according to real-time data from IQAir, which monitors over 80,000 air quality sensors worldwide.
As of Monday at noon, Vancouver sits in fourth place among the cleanest cities globally with an air quality index of 15. According to IQAir's scale, a score of 0 to 50 is considered good air quality. Only Melbourne, Auckland, and Sydney rank ahead of Vancouver.
Meanwhile, two major Canadian cities are struggling with air pollution. Toronto ranks 22nd among the world's most polluted cities with an AQI of 81, tying with Cairo, Egypt, and Doha, Qatar. Montreal follows closely behind in 34th place with an AQI of 68. Both cities are experiencing moderate levels of pollution.
The top three most polluted cities in the world are Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jakarta in Indonesia, and Dhaka in Bangladesh, all with AQI readings between 160 and 183, considered unhealthy.
Last week, Metro Vancouver issued an air quality warning due to wildfire smoke, though the alert has since been lifted.
The facts
What is Vancouver's air quality index ranking?
Vancouver has an air quality index of 15 as of Monday, July 13, 2026 at noon, placing it fourth among the cleanest cities in the world, behind Melbourne, Auckland, and Sydney.
How do Toronto and Montreal compare in air pollution?
Toronto ranks 22nd globally among most polluted cities with an AQI of 81, while Montreal ranks 34th with an AQI of 68. Both cities are experiencing moderate pollution levels.
What air quality alert did Metro Vancouver issue recently?
Metro Vancouver issued an air quality warning the week of July 6, 2026 due to wildfire smoke, though the alert has since been lifted.
