Chicago Dethroned As 'Rattiest' City After Decade-Long Reign

CHICAGO — It's not been a good month for rats in Chicago. Researchers recently announced that the infamous "Chicago Rat Hole" was in fact created by a squirrel. And now, the city is no longer considered the "rattiest" in the U.S.

For the first time in the 10-year history of the Top 50 Rattiest Cities list, Chicago has been knocked out of the No. 1 spot. According to Orkin, Los Angeles now holds the dubious honor. The pest control company determined this year's list by tracking new rodent services in owner-occupied residences from Aug. 20, 2024, to Aug. 21, 2025. Chicago sits at No. 2.

"The shake-up in rankings signals a shift in rodent activity, likely influenced by weather patterns, urban infrastructure and human behavior," Orkin said regarding Tuesday's release of the list. "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."

The only other city in Illinois named to the list is Champaign, which ranked No. 37.

According to Orkin, the top 10 rattiest cities for 2025, including Chicago, are:

1. Los Angeles, California
2. Chicago, Illinois
3. New York, New York
4. San Francisco, California
5. Hartford, Connecticut
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Detroit, Michigan
8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9. Minneapolis, Minnesota
10. Denver, Colorado

Orkin said rodents are highly adaptive, drawn to the same needs as humans, including shelter, food and water. The Atlanta-based company added that as the weather cools, rodents seek warm shelter and food sources, causing serious concern for millions of homeowners who deal with infestations each fall.

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