NORFOLK, Va. — It’s that time of year again—and allergy sufferers, brace yourselves. The 2025 Allergy Capital rankings from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America are out, naming the worst cities in the country for seasonal allergies. And, surprise surprise—several cities right here in our region made the list. So, how does a city earn this not-so-coveted title? The rankings are based on a few key factors: levels of tree, grass, and weed pollen; how often people are reaching for over-the-counter allergy meds; and the availability of allergy specialists in the area. Basically, if you're sneezing, sniffling, and popping antihistamines on the regular—you’re not alone, and your city might just be part of the problem. Let’s jump into the top 11 worst cities for seasonal allergies this year. Yep, you read that right—we’re going with 11 instead of the usual round 10. Why? Because that 11th spot hits close to home… literally. #11: Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Believe it or not, this is actually good news—kind of. Last year, Virginia Beach was ranked #2 in the entire country. So, while 11th place still means allergy misery for many, we’re moving in the right direction! #10: Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro’s pollen counts and medication use have kept it in the top tier of allergy hotspots again this year. #9: Greenville, South Carolina
Another southern city where allergy season hits hard and lingers longer than anyone would like. #8: Richmond, Virginia
Just up the road from us, Richmond is still battling high pollen levels and not enough access to allergy specialists. #7: Raleigh, North Carolina
Between the tree pollen and spring blooms, Raleigh keeps its spot among the top offenders. #6: Little Rock, Arkansas
Heading west, Little Rock’s combination of pollen and limited treatment options makes it a tough spot for allergy sufferers. #5: Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis continues to climb the ranks with strong pollen presence and high medication use. #4: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa's pollen problem is no joke—and the numbers back it up. #3: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Another Oklahoma city on the list, OKC is no stranger to allergy triggers. #2: New Orleans, Louisiana
Between the humidity and the pollen, it’s a double whammy for folks in the Big Easy. #1: Wichita, Kansas.
Wichita continues to top the charts as the worst city in the U.S. for seasonal allergies. If you're living there, our sympathies—and probably a box of tissues—go out to you. And here in Hampton Roads, our allergy season is just kicking into high gear. If you’re already feeling it, you’re not imagining things. Stay ahead of the sneeze with our daily allergy reports, right here on 13News Now!
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Believe it or not, this is actually good news—kind of. Last year, Virginia Beach was ranked #2 in the entire country. So, while 11th place still means allergy misery for many, we’re moving in the right direction! #10: Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro’s pollen counts and medication use have kept it in the top tier of allergy hotspots again this year. #9: Greenville, South Carolina
Another southern city where allergy season hits hard and lingers longer than anyone would like. #8: Richmond, Virginia
Just up the road from us, Richmond is still battling high pollen levels and not enough access to allergy specialists. #7: Raleigh, North Carolina
Between the tree pollen and spring blooms, Raleigh keeps its spot among the top offenders. #6: Little Rock, Arkansas
Heading west, Little Rock’s combination of pollen and limited treatment options makes it a tough spot for allergy sufferers. #5: Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis continues to climb the ranks with strong pollen presence and high medication use. #4: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa's pollen problem is no joke—and the numbers back it up. #3: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Another Oklahoma city on the list, OKC is no stranger to allergy triggers. #2: New Orleans, Louisiana
Between the humidity and the pollen, it’s a double whammy for folks in the Big Easy. #1: Wichita, Kansas.
Wichita continues to top the charts as the worst city in the U.S. for seasonal allergies. If you're living there, our sympathies—and probably a box of tissues—go out to you. And here in Hampton Roads, our allergy season is just kicking into high gear. If you’re already feeling it, you’re not imagining things. Stay ahead of the sneeze with our daily allergy reports, right here on 13News Now!
