Bold claim: If you hate rats, you might want to steer clear of these 12 U.S. cities. But here’s the full picture you need to know before you decide where to live. While Yelp’s Infestation Index doesn’t count every rat, it reflects where people search most for rodent services, offering a useful proxy for where rat problems are strongest. As global temperatures rise, rats are finding it easier to thrive, especially in heat islands—densely built areas with little vegetation that trap heat. Big cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco fit this pattern, with larger populations and more waste that provide food and shelter for rodents. Warmer winters also give these pests more opportunities to search for food and reproduce amid sprawling urban areas.
If you’re a homeowner in these cities, you’re more likely to encounter unwanted guests inside your home. Rats can chew through wires and drywall and breed on your property, causing extensive damage. They also carry diseases. Common rodent-borne illnesses from rat droppings include salmonellosis, hantavirus, and leptospirosis. In the United States, the Norway rat (the brown or sewer rat) tends to burrow or live above ground, while the roof rat loves climbing to high spaces like eaves to nest.
Los Angeles, California
The top city on the list for rat concerns is Los Angeles. Its mild year-round climate and dense population create ideal conditions for rodents. Many older homes have cracks and gaps that let rats slip inside, and drought recurrences can drive them toward indoor sources for water and food. Norway rats are especially common here, though roof rats appear as well.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco ranks high for rat activity, and a Science Advances study found the rat population growing faster there than in comparable regions. Warmer temperatures linked to climate change are a contributing factor. The city relies on 311 reports to monitor sightings, and officials have started distributing birth-control methods in parks to curb reproduction.
New York City, New York
The Big Apple has long been associated with rodents. Estimates for 2025 put the city’s rat population around 3 million. In 2023, New York appointed its first Rat Czar, who began installing rat-proof trash cans and blocking burrows with concrete slabs, while also educating residents on affordable preventive measures. These efforts coincided with a multi-month decline in rat sightings.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s many alleys and labyrinth of streets create excellent rat hideouts. In 2025, West Town led local sightings, with 862 reports out of 15,000 citywide by June, and Dean Park gained a reputation as a hotspot where rodents had effectively taken over in some areas.
Washington, D.C.
Even the nation’s capital battles a notable rat population. Mild winters keep activity steady, and many trash cans and bags aren’t fully rodent-proof. Some neighborhoods use specialized, rodent-proof bins that alert when full. The city has experimented with programs such as Blue Collar Cats, where cats are placed with businesses or homes to patrol for rodents.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle faces a creepier issue: rats in toilets. Heavy rainfall drives rodents into sewers, where they sometimes enter homes through toilets. The city deals with both Norway and roof rats, thriving in wet conditions and older housing stock. The Emerald City’s green spaces also offer ample nesting sites.
Dallas, Texas
Dallas’ warm, humid climate contributes to rat problems, compounded by severe weather like hurricanes that displace rodents toward human habitats. The city’s rapid growth brings more food waste and potential habitats. Both Norway and roof rats live here, along with the wood rat in wooded areas.
Austin, Texas
Austin mirrors Dallas in its rat challenges. Mild winters keep rats active year-round, and a construction boom creates many new apartments. Ongoing building projects disrupt traditional rat hideouts, pushing them into homes and businesses. Notable hotspot neighborhoods include Oak Hill, West Lake Hills, and Lakeway.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix’s warm climate and landscaping, including fruit trees, attract rats. Roof rats are common, with Norway rats also present. As development expands into desert zones, roofs and irrigation provide consistent water and food sources. Weather patterns influence rodent activity, with heavy monsoon rains driving rats indoors from June through September and peak activity from October to March.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s historic architecture provides many routes for rats to access food and shelter. A local rule requires curbside trash no later than 6 a.m. on pickup days, which can leave trash out overnight and create a food lure for rats. Old sewer lines in the city also offer easy entry points to homes, especially in the South End.
Portland, Oregon
Portland’s notoriety in popular culture aside, its aging sewer system fosters rat activity, and ongoing construction adds to the challenge. A rise in composting creates more open food sources for rats, bringing them closer to residences. Local services, like Multnomah County Vector Control, offer free property inspections to help reduce infestation risk.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia battles rat activity across its dense, historic fabric and busy neighborhoods. Roxborough is a notable hotspot, with rats appearing in homes, businesses, and dumpsters. Like other large cities, heavy infrastructure and shifting climate contribute to more comfortable living conditions for rodents, which also enjoy scavenging near food sources like dumpsters and outdoor markets.
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Original article reference: House Digest, Worst Cities for Rats.
