Los Angeles Overtakes Chicago as America’s Rattiest City After Decade of Decline

Los Angeles unseats Chicago after a decade, followed by Chicago and New York City.

ATLANTA, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Orkin’s annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities List reveals a significant shift in urban rodent populations. For the first time in over ten years, the top position has changed hands. Chicago, which held the No. 1 spot for a decade, has been dethroned by Los Angeles.

The shift at the top reflects evolving dynamics in urban ecosystems. Analysts attribute Los Angeles’ rise to a combination of factors, including consistently warm weather, a thriving restaurant industry, and densely populated areas offering abundant food and shelter. This creates an environment conducive to rodent survival and proliferation. The city’s unique blend of affluent and gritty neighborhoods offers rodents various niches to exploit, from restaurant-lined streets to less maintained alleyways.

The change in rankings also signals broader trends in rodent activity across the U.S. While Chicago maintains a significant rodent presence, other major cities are experiencing increased pressure. More moderate climate patterns are improving rodent survival rates, and urban expansion facilitates the movement of rodent populations into new areas. This underscores the importance of proactive pest management strategies in urban planning and infrastructure development.

Orkin’s rankings are determined by tracking new rodent service requests in residential properties between August 20, 2024, and August 21, 2025. This data offers a localized, real-time measure of rodent activity in major urban areas. While the metric is useful, it is only one measure of rodent activity; metrics like public health data on rodent-borne illnesses, or infrastructure damage from rodents are also areas that could be analyzed for a more complete understanding.

Despite falling to No. 2, Chicago continues to face considerable challenges in managing its rodent population. New York City follows closely at No. 3, grappling with pest issues exacerbated by its extensive subway system and dense urban environment. San Francisco remains a fixture near the top of the list, securing the No. 4 position.

Notably, California has a strong presence in the rankings, with four cities included in the top 50: Los Angeles (No. 1), San Francisco (No. 4), Sacramento (No. 19), and San Diego (No. 24).

Orkin’s Top 50 Rattiest Cities:

1. Los Angeles, Calif. (+1)

26. Miami, Fla. (+2)

2. Chicago, Ill. (-1)

27. Cincinnati, Ohio (+8)

3. New York, N.Y.

28. St. Louis, Mo.

4. San Francisco, Calif.

29. Norfolk, Va. (-5)

5. Hartford, Conn. (+8)

30. Greenville, S.C. (+4)

6. Washington, D.C. (-1)

31. Portland, Ore. (+7)

7. Detroit, Mich. (+1)

32. Raleigh, N.C. (-4)

8. Philadelphia, Pa. (-1)

33. Orlando, Fla. (+6)

9. Minneapolis, Minn. (+2)

34. Louisville, Ky.

10. Denver, Colo. (-4)

35. Charlotte, N.C. (-9)

11. Cleveland, Ohio (-1)

36. Kansas City, Mo. (+9)

12. Baltimore, Md. (-3)

37. Champaign, Ill. (+6)

13. Boston, Mass. (-1)

38. Phoenix, Ariz. (-6)

14. Indianapolis, Ind. (+1)

39. New Orleans, La. (+1)

15. Dallas, Texas (+7)

40. Nashville, Tenn. (-4)

16. Milwaukee, Wis. (+3)

41. Flint, Mich. (+1)

17. Seattle, Wash. (-3)

42. South Bend, Ind.

18. Atlanta, Ga. (-2)

43. Albuquerque, N.M. (-13)

19. Sacramento, Calif. (+1)

44. Madison, Wis.

20. Pittsburgh, Pa. (+1)

45. Reno, Nev.

21. Columbus, Ohio (-4)

46. Eau Claire, Wis.

22. Tampa, Fla. (+13)

47. Richmond, Va. (-9)

23. Houston, Texas (+2)

48. Burlington, Vt. (-2)

24. San Diego, Calif. (-6)

49. Albany, N.Y. (-18)

25. Grand Rapids, Mich. (+2)

50. Buffalo, N.Y. (-9)

Rodents’ adaptability drives their urban proliferation:

Rodents are highly adaptable creatures drawn to urban environments for the same reasons as humans: readily available shelter, food, and water. Moderate weather further enhances their survival and reproductive rates, while urban sprawl continuously generates new access points for infestation. From a biological perspective, rodents thrive in areas with consistent food sources, whether from improper waste management or spills from restaurants.

“Rats and mice are opportunistic, seeking food, warmth, and entry points,” says Ian Williams, Orkin Entomologist. “Their chewing habits and rapid reproduction can quickly escalate minor issues into significant, costly problems once they are indoors.” The risks extend beyond property damage to include potential health threats and compromised sanitation in urban areas.

Property owners face numerous risks from rodents including:

Structural damage: Rodents can cause extensive damage by gnawing through walls, wiring, and pipes.

Health concerns: Rodents are vectors of various diseases, including Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis and typhus, posing potential health risks to humans.

Rapid reproduction: Rodent populations can grow quickly, leading to escalating problems for homeowners and requiring extensive pest control measures.

Prevention is the most effective strategy for controlling rodent infestations. Orkin experts advocate following GNAW, a set of four essential prevention tips:

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.

Additional Prevention Tips to Keep Rodents Out:

Seal small openings: Rats require openings as small as a quarter to enter a building, while mice need even less space. Regularly inspect your home’s exterior for cracks or gaps around vents, pipes, and the foundation, and seal them promptly.

Fix leaks: Eliminate water sources by repairing leaky faucets, pipes, and addressing standing water.

Keep trash containers sealed: Check outdoor bins for damage, especially along the bottom, lid, and sides. Replace damaged bins to maintain secure containment.

Engage Pest Control Professionals: Prevent infestations from worsening by consulting pest control professionals, who offer tailored solutions for rodent and pest management.

Consider Long-Term Rodent Prevention: Homeowners should consider proactive measures.

For more comprehensive rodent prevention information, visit Orkin.com/pests/rodents.

About Orkin, LLC  

Based in Atlanta and founded in 1901, Orkin is an industry leader. Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL), Orkin’s parent company, continues to innovate and expand its reach. The effectiveness of these preventative applications is influenced by the local climate conditions and infrastructure of specific geographic areas. Rollins Inc. trades on the NYSE under the ticker ROL.