March 2026  |  ✓  Medically Reviewed by:  Gary Falcetano, PA-C, AE-C

It's not uncommon that you or someone you know has an allergy. It may be due to pollen, pets, dust mites, food allergens, mold spores, or a slew of other potential allergy triggers. And there's not a specific place that you can go to avoid all potential allergens. The number of people sensitized to allergens does not vary significantly between regions of the United States, meaning there isn’t one state or region that is “good” or “bad” for people with allergies. But there are differences in which allergens are prevalent in certain regions.¹ Having that information at your fingertips can be a game changer. Check out some of our regional insights below.

Food allergies across the U.S.

Because most foods (including the nine major food allergens) are available in the majority of states across the country, there really isn't a list of the "top food allergens" by state. However, there are some logical (and data-supported) conclusions that can be made about food allergy prevalence in certain areas. For example, coastal areas where seafood is a common part of the diet are more likely to see people experiencing allergic reactions to shellfish. In one study, children with shellfish allergy were more likely to reside in a coastal area, like the Mid-Atlantic or South Atlantic regions in the U.S.²

If you'd like to see some specifics about food allergies in your state, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) commissioned a study that took a deeper dive into food allergies for each state. You can get the full breakdown here: 

Alpha-gal syndrome hot spots

Alpha-gal syndrome is when a person, who has previously been bitten by a tick, has an immune system reaction after eating red meat (beef, for example). While the number of people being diagnosed with this allergy continues to grow across the U.S., a study conducted in the 2010s found that the top five states with positive tests results for alpha-gal syndrome were Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Virginia.³ One explanation for why these states have the most reported cases is that these are all areas where there are significant populations of lone star ticks, which are believed to be one of the culprits causing this allergy.³ States with the lowest reported cases were Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, and New Mexico.³

Environmental allergens across the U.S.

So, which other types of allergens can vary by state? Think environmental. Do you live in a densely populated area or something more rural? What types of trees, grasses, and weeds to you come in contact with regularly? Hint: when it comes to pollen allergens, you can find specific pollen counts, pollen levels, and pollen forecasts broken down by zip code at pollen.com. Check out our breakdown of some of the most common allergens by region to help get a better idea of what you might expect in your area. 

Southeast top allergens: Dust mites and cockroaches

From Virginia and the Carolinas to Arkansas and Louisiana, sensitization to common indoor allergens, namely dust mites and cockroaches, is prevalent.¹ That's due at least in part to the warm temperatures and high humidity levels in this region, since dust mites and cockroaches rely on warmth and humidity to survive.

Pacific Northwest top allergens: Tree and grass pollen

In the cool, moist climate of the Pacific Northwest, evergreen trees are everywhere. Trees from the cypress family of conifers dominate pollen counts.⁴ Yet there are important variations just between Washington and Oregon. The former has a relatively short pollen allergy season since cypress trees don’t release much pollen once summer arrives.⁴ In Oregon, however, grass pollen is highly prevalent as well, making the spring and summer more active for allergies.

Mountain West and Desert Southwest top allergens: Grass and weed pollen

From Montana and Idaho through Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, grass pollen and weed pollen dominate allergen measurements. The western U.S. has the highest prevalence of positive IgE tests (tests that aid in the diagnosis of allergies) for ryegrass, Bermuda grass, and thistle pollen (Russian thistle).¹ 

New England top allergens: Dust mites

The Northeast has the highest prevalence of positive IgE tests (tests that aid in the diagnosis of allergies) for two common dust mite species.¹ Dust mites are microscopic bugs that thrive in humid conditions and are found in dust as well as soft materials like bedding and fabrics.

South-Central Plains top allergens: Mold and tree pollen

As the climate gets warmer and drier past the Midwest, mold allergens become particularly prominent. Molds are types of fungi, and two of the most common, Alternaria alternata and Candida albicans, are most prevalent in semi-arid prairie states such as Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and up north in the Dakotas.⁵ Complicating matters for people with allergies in this region, tree pollen (like mulberry and oak is common in areas such as Missouri.

New York and Pennsylvania top allergens: Tree and ragweed pollen

Residents of these states have a lot of allergic triggers to contend with. The amount of tree cover in the rolling hills and Appalachian ranges means there are many types of tree pollen in the air, notably oak pollen and birch pollen. These trees typically release pollen in the spring and early summer. But there is also ragweed, which is found everywhere from riverbanks to construction sites and pollinates in late summer and early fall (hello, hay fever). Urban areas are susceptible to ragweed since it grows in disturbed landscapes and places with greater CO₂ concentrations like cities.¹ 

Texas and Oklahoma top allergens: Tree pollen

The dry and windy plains of Texas and Oklahoma may not evoke images of forests, but pollen-measuring stations in these states have found a variety of tree species to be the most prevalent outdoor allergens. Oak and cypress pollens are extremely common across this region, and elm species also have pollen peaks not once but twice during the year (spring and fall) due to the warmer climate and greater number of elm species present.⁴ 

Get to the bottom of symptoms

If you’re experiencing what you think are allergy symptoms, it’s probably time to talk to your healthcare provider about specific IgE blood testing. These diagnostic tests can help clinicians rule in or rule out allergies as a cause of symptom. And if allergies are diagnosed, the tests can help specify which allergic triggers you’re sensitized to so you can minimize exposure and manage your allergy symptoms. Given that certain allergens are more common in some places rather than others, finding out which specific trigger affects you can have a major impact on your symptom management and your quality of life.

If you are looking for some help with tracking your symptoms, check out our allergy symptom questionnaire. It can help you summarize your symptoms and guide productive conversations with your healthcare provider to determine if a specific IgE blood test is right for you.