Does a high water-hardness rank mean the water is unsafe?

No. Hardness mainly describes dissolved calcium and magnesium and scale potential. It is not a drinking-water safety score or contaminant ranking.

US city soft-water ranking

Softest-water cities in the US, ranked

This ranking starts with the lowest qualifying city median. The evidence threshold removes one-reading city profiles, while local links let you check whether the available ZIP estimates agree.

Complete table

Top 100 qualifying cities

Data through Aug 18, 2026

Rank	City	Median	Class	Indexed range	Evidence	Supported
1	TuscaloosaAL	9 PPM0.5 GPG	Soft	8.4–9.9 PPM	7 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
2	RomeNY	9 PPM0.5 GPG	Soft	8.4–11.1 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
3	NorthportAL	9 PPM0.5 GPG	Soft	8.9–8.9 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
4	White HallAL	9 PPM0.5 GPG	Soft	7.4–17.3 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	67%High/Moderate
5	ColumbusMS	12 PPM0.7 GPG	Soft	11.8–13.2 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
6	North CharlestonSC	16 PPM0.9 GPG	Soft	13.4–25.7 PPM	7 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
7	ClantonAL	17 PPM1 GPG	Soft	17.3–18.3 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
8	TupeloMS	17 PPM1 GPG	Soft	16–16.6 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
9	SumterSC	19 PPM1.1 GPG	Soft	17.7–21.2 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	67%High/Moderate
10	MontgomeryAL	24 PPM1.4 GPG	Soft	12.3–28.5 PPM	18 ZIPs · 2 sites	22%High/Moderate
11	CharlestonSC	26 PPM1.5 GPG	Soft	25.2–25.7 PPM	10 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
12	NatchitochesLA	28 PPM1.6 GPG	Soft	28.4–30.4 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
13	PortlandOR	29 PPM1.7 GPG	Soft	28.8–29.2 PPM	29 ZIPs · 4 sites	100%High/Moderate
14	AtlantaGA	30 PPM1.8 GPG	Soft	30–30.3 PPM	23 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
15	MariettaGA	30 PPM1.8 GPG	Soft	30.3–30.3 PPM	8 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
16	CartersvilleGA	30 PPM1.8 GPG	Soft	30.3–35 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
17	CarrolltonGA	32 PPM1.9 GPG	Soft	31.7–33 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
18	WilmingtonNC	34 PPM2 GPG	Soft	34–98.5 PPM	5 ZIPs · 2 sites	60%High/Moderate
19	RaleighNC	40 PPM2.3 GPG	Soft	39.8–40.2 PPM	17 ZIPs · 13 sites	100%High/Moderate
20	CaryNC	40 PPM2.3 GPG	Soft	39.8–40.5 PPM	4 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
21	DurhamNC	41 PPM2.4 GPG	Soft	40.5–40.5 PPM	10 ZIPs · 7 sites	100%High/Moderate
22	ApexNC	41 PPM2.4 GPG	Soft	39.8–40.5 PPM	4 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
23	WorcesterMA	41 PPM2.4 GPG	Soft	39.1–76.8 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
24	ShreveportLA	42 PPM2.5 GPG	Soft	32.7–43.6 PPM	13 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
25	NashuaNH	42 PPM2.5 GPG	Soft	40.4–43.2 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
26	ProvidenceRI	43 PPM2.5 GPG	Soft	42.8–44.9 PPM	11 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
27	East ProvidenceRI	43 PPM2.5 GPG	Soft	43–43.2 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
28	CranstonRI	44 PPM2.6 GPG	Soft	43–45.1 PPM	5 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
29	HartfordCT	45 PPM2.6 GPG	Soft	44.7–45.2 PPM	7 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
30	Chapel HillNC	45 PPM2.6 GPG	Soft	43.7–45.2 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
31	New BritainCT	46 PPM2.7 GPG	Soft	44.9–45.9 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
32	TylerTX	48 PPM2.8 GPG	Soft	48.1–92.7 PPM	8 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
33	BartlettTN	48 PPM2.8 GPG	Soft	48.3–48.7 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
34	MemphisTN	51 PPM3 GPG	Soft	47.9–51.1 PPM	29 ZIPs · 22 sites	100%High/Moderate
35	ReddingCA	51 PPM3 GPG	Soft	50.7–50.7 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
36	DoverDE	54 PPM3.2 GPG	Soft	51.7–53.7 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
37	ManchesterNH	57 PPM3.3 GPG	Soft	57.2–58 PPM	5 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
38	DuluthMN	61 PPM3.6 GPG	Moderately Hard	59.5–66.9 PPM	7 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
39	HermantownMN	61 PPM3.6 GPG	Moderately Hard	60.9–63.9 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
40	RenoNV	64 PPM3.7 GPG	Moderately Hard	61–108 PPM	13 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
41	WashingtonDC	66 PPM3.9 GPG	Moderately Hard	65–69.8 PPM	57 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
42	AlexandriaVA	67 PPM3.9 GPG	Moderately Hard	65.9–67.6 PPM	6 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
43	StatesboroGA	68 PPM4 GPG	Moderately Hard	45.4–77.5 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
44	HoustonTX	72 PPM4.2 GPG	Moderately Hard	67.3–76.2 PPM	104 ZIPs · 7 sites	94%High/Moderate
45	ConroeTX	76 PPM4.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	71.8–76.2 PPM	7 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
46	WilmingtonDE	79 PPM4.6 GPG	Moderately Hard	78.9–80.6 PPM	6 ZIPs · 4 sites	100%High/Moderate
47	PhiladelphiaPA	81 PPM4.7 GPG	Moderately Hard	81.1–85.2 PPM	49 ZIPs · 10 sites	100%High/Moderate
48	NewarkNJ	81 PPM4.7 GPG	Moderately Hard	81.1–82.1 PPM	9 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
49	CamdenNJ	81 PPM4.7 GPG	Moderately Hard	81.1–81.2 PPM	5 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
50	YonkersNY	82 PPM4.8 GPG	Moderately Hard	82.4–83 PPM	7 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
51	ClarksvilleTN	84 PPM4.9 GPG	Moderately Hard	54.1–103 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	67%High/Moderate
52	AustinTX	86 PPM5 GPG	Moderately Hard	83.8–162.5 PPM	39 ZIPs · 4 sites	100%High/Moderate
53	TrentonNJ	86 PPM5 GPG	Moderately Hard	85.9–86 PPM	7 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
54	Palmer TownMA	87 PPM5.1 GPG	Moderately Hard	46.2–87.7 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
55	SevernNC	87 PPM5.1 GPG	Moderately Hard	86.9–87.2 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
56	BaltimoreMD	90 PPM5.3 GPG	Moderately Hard	88.1–94.6 PPM	23 ZIPs · 2 sites	61%High/Moderate
57	PahrumpNV	92 PPM5.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	84.6–210 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
58	Lake CharlesLA	93 PPM5.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	93.1–118 PPM	5 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
59	MartinsburgWV	93 PPM5.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	85.5–103.5 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
60	Santa FeNM	95 PPM5.6 GPG	Moderately Hard	95–95 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
61	FayettevilleAR	96 PPM5.6 GPG	Moderately Hard	75.1–119 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
62	AvondaleAZ	97 PPM5.7 GPG	Moderately Hard	97–97 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
63	GoodyearAZ	97 PPM5.7 GPG	Moderately Hard	68–97 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	67%High/Moderate
64	BeaufortSC	98 PPM5.7 GPG	Moderately Hard	89.9–97.6 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
65	AlbuquerqueNM	99 PPM5.8 GPG	Moderately Hard	95–110 PPM	14 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
66	AthensAL	100 PPM5.8 GPG	Moderately Hard	99.1–101.1 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
67	HuntsvilleAL	103 PPM6 GPG	Moderately Hard	100–140 PPM	17 ZIPs · 4 sites	29%High/Moderate
68	MurfreesboroTN	103 PPM6 GPG	Moderately Hard	103–103.5 PPM	5 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
69	GaryWV	103 PPM6 GPG	Moderately Hard	103–103.5 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
70	LewisburgTN	103 PPM6 GPG	Moderately Hard	103–103 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
71	InwoodWV	105 PPM6.1 GPG	Moderately Hard	105–108.5 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
72	AuburnWA	106 PPM6.2 GPG	Moderately Hard	106–106 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
73	RentonWA	106 PPM6.2 GPG	Moderately Hard	106–106 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
74	WichitaKS	108 PPM6.3 GPG	Moderately Hard	108.1–108.1 PPM	25 ZIPs · 5 sites	100%High/Moderate
75	CarsonNV	108 PPM6.3 GPG	Moderately Hard	77.2–126 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
76	DallasTX	110 PPM6.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	109.5–111 PPM	45 ZIPs · 6 sites	100%High/Moderate
77	ArlingtonTX	110 PPM6.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	110–110 PPM	13 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
78	GarlandTX	110 PPM6.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	110–110 PPM	5 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
79	Grand PrairieTX	110 PPM6.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	110–110 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
80	MesquiteTX	110 PPM6.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	109–110 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
81	WylieTX	110 PPM6.4 GPG	Moderately Hard	110–110 PPM	3 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
82	Fort WorthTX	111 PPM6.5 GPG	Moderately Hard	110–115 PPM	35 ZIPs · 5 sites	100%High/Moderate
83	IrvingTX	111 PPM6.5 GPG	Moderately Hard	110–111 PPM	6 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
84	PlanoTX	111 PPM6.5 GPG	Moderately Hard	110–111.5 PPM	6 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
85	DentonTX	112 PPM6.5 GPG	Moderately Hard	111–111.5 PPM	7 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
86	SurpriseAZ	112 PPM6.5 GPG	Moderately Hard	97–154.5 PPM	7 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
87	PeoriaAZ	120 PPM7 GPG	Moderately Hard	120–128 PPM	4 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
88	PittsburghPA	123 PPM7.2 GPG	Hard	121–127 PPM	24 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
89	GoldsboroNC	124 PPM7.3 GPG	Hard	102.7–147 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
90	SavannahGA	128 PPM7.5 GPG	Hard	124–135 PPM	8 ZIPs · 2 sites	50%High/Moderate
91	CookevilleTN	132 PPM7.7 GPG	Hard	131.5–132.5 PPM	4 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
92	SpokaneWA	134 PPM7.8 GPG	Hard	133–138 PPM	11 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
93	AlbanyGA	134 PPM7.8 GPG	Hard	134–136 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
94	HuntingtonWV	136 PPM8 GPG	Hard	123–140 PPM	6 ZIPs · 2 sites	83%High/Moderate
95	DurangoCO	147 PPM8.6 GPG	Hard	145.5–149 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
96	TallahasseeFL	152 PPM8.9 GPG	Hard	142–154.5 PPM	14 ZIPs · 2 sites	79%High/Moderate
97	MissoulaMT	152 PPM8.9 GPG	Hard	101.6–152 PPM	5 ZIPs · 2 sites	100%High/Moderate
98	MercedCA	156 PPM9.1 GPG	Hard	156–178 PPM	3 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
99	SyracuseNY	158 PPM9.2 GPG	Hard	99.4–175 PPM	12 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate
100	SchenectadyNY	161 PPM9.4 GPG	Hard	140–161 PPM	4 ZIPs · 3 sites	100%High/Moderate

Ranking methodology

How this city ranking is calculated

We group ZIP profiles by city and state, then rank each city's median—not its maximum. To qualify, a city needs at least 3hardness readings, with at least 2labeled High or Moderate confidence and at least 2distinct monitoring sites. 209 cities meet that rule in the current dataset.

The qualification rule reduces single-estimate outliers but does not turn nearby environmental observations into household tap tests. Open any city to see observation distance, dates, utility associations, and its individual ZIP reports.

Quick answer

Which US city has the softest qualifying water profile?

Tuscaloosa, AL is first in this ranking with a median indexed hardness of 9 PPM (0.5 GPG), based on 7 ZIP readings.

That result describes this index and its current evidence rules. It should not be generalized to every address in the jurisdiction without checking the linked local profile.

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