One would think New York City would take the crown as America’s rattiest city. After all, it literally had a Rat Czar—yes, a real person with that title—until she officially resigned this past September, plus a literal rat birth control program. But nope–according to Orkin’s new ranking, NYC is the third rattiest city in the country. Third! Even the rats are probably offended by that one.
Orkin’s annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities List has returned for its 11th year, and a new city claimed the top spot for the first time in the list’s history–Chicago’s decade-long reign at No. 1 is over, with Los Angeles taking center stage.
The reason? LA pretty much checks every box for rodent survival, what with its year-round warm weather, booming culinary scene, and dense neighborhoods with plenty of food and shelter. Still, the Windy City didn’t get blown too far; it claimed the No. 2 spot. The ranking writes:
While Chicago has held the top spot since the list’s inception, this year’s data shows other major cities are seeing increased pressure, particularly as more moderate climates improve rodent survival rates and urban sprawl opens new pathways for infestations.
Compared to last year’s ranking, the rattiest cities in America remained almost the same, minus Baltimore, Maryland (No. 9 last year) and Cleveland, Ohio (No. 10 last year) losing their top 10 status to Hartford, Connecticut and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Orkin noted how the shake-up in rankings signals a shift in rodent activity, likely influenced by “weather patterns, urban infrastructure, and human behavior.” This year, California is the most represented state, with four cities in the top 50: Los Angeles (No.1), San Francisco (No. 4), Sacramento (No. 19), and San Diego (No. 24).
To complete the ranking, Orkin–an industry leader in pest control services and protection against pest-related damage–tracked the number of new rodent services in each city from August 20, 2024, to August 21, 2025.
And though New Yorkers are well versed in dealing with rats, experts suggest doing the following to prevent rodent infestations:
- 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
Ian Williams, Orkin Entomologist, stated:
Rats and mice are more than a nuisance—they’re opportunists. If there’s food, warmth and a way in, they’ll find it. And once inside, their constant chewing and rapid reproduction can quickly turn a small issue into a large, expensive one.
🐀 The top 10 rattiest cities in America
1. Los Angeles, California
2. Chicago, Illinois
3. New York City, New York
4. San Francisco, California
5. Hartford, Connecticut
7. Detroit, Michigan
8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9. Minneapolis, Minnesota
10. Denver, Colorado
Find the full ranking on Orkin’s website.