Los Angeles keeps its title as the rattiest city

A California city has been recognized as the rattiest city in the country by pest control company, Orkin.

For the second year in a row, Los Angeles has taken the top spot in the nation, having wrested away the distinction from Chicago in 2025.

"Los Angeles’ year-round mild weather, dense neighborhoods and abundant access to food, water and shelter create conditions where rats and mice can thrive," stated the 125-year-old pest control company in a news release.

The City of Angels is not the only city in California to make Orkin's annual rankings, which are based on new residential rodent treatment data collected between Aug. 9, 2025, and Aug. 9, 2026.

Beyond Los Angeles at No. 1, California has four cities in the Top 50. San Francisco came in at a close

No. 4, with Sacramento following at No. 21 and San Diego at No. 33.

New York, home of the famous pizza rat meme of 2015, ranked No. 3 on Orkin's list.

"There’s no single type of city or climate that’s immune to rodent pressure,” said Shannon Sked, national technical director at Orkin, in the news release. "Rats and mice are highly adaptable and can thrive in communities across the country wherever they can find food, water, and shelter."

Orkin's top 50 rattiest cities

Here's a look at the top 50 rattiest cities in America, according to Orkin, and their change in the rankings since last year:

1. Los Angeles
2. Chicago
3. New York
4. San Francisco
5. Washington, DC (+1)
6. Detroit (+1)
7. Cleveland (+4)
8. Denver (+2)
9. Philadelphia (-1)
10. Baltimore (+2)
11. Minneapolis (-2)
12. Dallas (+3)
13. Boston
14. Houston (+9)
15. Columbus, Ohio (+6)
16. Seattle (+1)
17. Hartford, Conn. (-12)
18. Milwaukee (-2)
19. Indianapolis (-5)
20. Pittsburgh
21. Sacramento (-2)
22. Tampa
23. Atlanta (-5)
24. St. Louis (+4)
25. Cincinnati (+2)
26. Miami
27. Kansas City (+9)
28. Grand Rapids, Mich. (-3)
29. Springfield, Ill. (+8)
30. Nashville (+10)
31. Albuquerque, N.M. (+12)
32. Orlando (+1)
33. San Diego (-9)
34. Portland, Ore. (-3)
35. Norfolk, Va. (-6)
36. Cedar Rapids, Iowa (New to top 50)
37. New Orleans (+2)
38. South Bend, Ind. (+4)
39. Albany, N.Y. (+10)
40. Greenville, S.C. (-10)
41. Raleigh, N.C. (-9)
42. Reno, Nev. (+3)
43. Charlotte, N.C. (+8)
44. Richmond, Va. (+3)
45. Knoxville, Tenn. (New to top 50)
46. Phoenix (-8)
47. Charleston, W. Va. (New to top 50)
48. Flint, Mich. (-7)
49. San Antonio (New to top 50)
50. Harrisburg, Pa. (New to top 50)

How to keep rats and mice out of your home

With 125 years in the pest-control business, Orkin operates 400 company-owned branches and nearly 50 franchises across the U.S. Here are some of its tips for keeping unwanted pests out of your home.

• The best defense starts with residents keeping rodents from coming inside.
• Orkin experts recommend remembering GNAW:
• Guard entry points by sealing cracks, holes and gaps.
• Never leave food unattended outside for pets or wildlife.
• Avoid clutter that could create nesting spots.
• Watch for signs like droppings, gnaw marks or rub marks, burrows, or scampering noises.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles keeps its title as the rattiest city