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Nothing cleaner nearby

Columbia is breathing 3.0 cigarettes a week

9.4
PM2.5 µg/m³
52
AQI
5.5
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Columbia Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Aiken
Cel-shaded illustration of Aiken
#1AikenPM2.5 11.9Checking road route

South Carolina· PM2.5 11.9 µg/m³

South Carolina community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 11.9 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.9/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

27% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Augusta
Cel-shaded illustration of Augusta
#2AugustaPM2.5 11.9~1 h 30 min drive

Georgia· PM2.5 11.9 µg/m³

A major Georgia city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 11.9 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.9/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

27% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Florence
Cel-shaded illustration of Florence
#3FlorencePM2.5 13.6Checking road route

South Carolina· PM2.5 13.6 µg/m³

South Carolina community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 13.6 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.6/22 × 7 = 4.3 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

45% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Charlotte
Cel-shaded illustration of Charlotte
#4CharlottePM2.5 13.8~1 h 50 min drive

North Carolina· PM2.5 13.8 µg/m³

A major North Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 13.8 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.8/22 × 7 = 4.4 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

47% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Greenville
Cel-shaded illustration of Greenville
#5GreenvillePM2.5 14.7~2 h drive

South Carolina· PM2.5 14.7 µg/m³

A major South Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 14.7 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 14.7/22 × 7 = 4.7 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

56% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Greenwood
Cel-shaded illustration of Greenwood
#6GreenwoodPM2.5 19.4Checking road route

South Carolina· PM2.5 19.4 µg/m³

South Carolina community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 19.4 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 19.4/22 × 7 = 6.2 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

106% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Sumter
Cel-shaded illustration of Sumter
#7SumterPM2.5 19.7Checking road route

South Carolina· PM2.5 19.7 µg/m³

South Carolina community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 19.7 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 19.7/22 × 7 = 6.3 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

110% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
South Congaree
Cel-shaded illustration of South Congaree
#8South CongareeParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.0 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Irmo
Cel-shaded illustration of Irmo
#9IrmoParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.0 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Hopkins
Cel-shaded illustration of Hopkins
#10HopkinsParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.0 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Lexington
Cel-shaded illustration of Lexington
#11LexingtonParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.0 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Red Bank
Cel-shaded illustration of Red Bank
#12Red BankParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 3.0 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Charleston
Cel-shaded illustration of Charleston
#13CharlestonPM2.5 7.8~2 h 15 min drivesaves 0.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina· PM2.5 7.8 µg/m³

A major South Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 7.8 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
17% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Folly Beach
Cel-shaded illustration of Folly Beach
#14Folly BeachPM2.5 7.8~2 h 30 min drivesaves 0.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina· PM2.5 7.8 µg/m³

Barrier-island beach town just south of Charleston, swept by open Atlantic wind, with rentals and small inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 7.8 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
17% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Beaufort
Cel-shaded illustration of Beaufort
#15BeaufortPM2.5 10.9~2 h 40 min drive

South Carolina· PM2.5 10.9 µg/m³

Lowcountry town among the sea islands between Charleston and Savannah, cooled by tidal marine air, with historic inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 10.9 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.9/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
16% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Lake Lure
Cel-shaded illustration of Lake Lure
#16Lake LurePM2.5 12Checking road route

North Carolina· PM2.5 12 µg/m³

Mountain-ringed lake resort in the Hickory Nut Gorge, with open-water air and lakeside lodges.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 12 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

28% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Chimney Rock
Cel-shaded illustration of Chimney Rock
#17Chimney RockPM2.5 12Checking road route

North Carolina· PM2.5 12 µg/m³

Village beneath a granite monolith in the Hickory Nut Gorge, a small mountain base with cabins and inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 12 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Columbia

28% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Fort Payne
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort Payne
#18Fort PaynePM2.5 5.5Checking road routesaves 1.2 cigs/wk

Alabama· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

DeSoto Canyon-adjacent town in Alabama's Appalachian foothills, higher and cooler than the state's lowlands.

41% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbia right now

41% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Kill Devil Hills
Cel-shaded illustration of Kill Devil Hills
#19Kill Devil HillsPM2.5 5.5Checking road routesaves 1.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on a narrow Atlantic barrier island, swept by open-ocean wind, with oceanfront rentals and hotels.

41% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbia right now

41% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Nags Head
Cel-shaded illustration of Nags Head
#20Nags HeadPM2.5 5.5Checking road routesaves 1.2 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on the barrier islands, exposed to constant Atlantic wind, with cottages and hotels along the shore.

41% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 9.4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbia right now

41% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT · 53 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

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What this means · Columbia

Phew.

3.0cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

9.4 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 9.4 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →