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US regional hardness research

Lowest regional hardness evidence by US city

This comparison starts with the lowest qualifying city median. The evidence threshold excludes low-confidence and distant observations, while local links expose the underlying sources.

Complete table

Top 100 qualifying cities

Data through Sep 29, 2026

Lowest regional hardness evidence by US city
RankCityMedianClassObserved rangeEvidenceEligible
1CranstonRI19 PPM1.1 GPGSoft17.9–20 PPM5 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
2ProvidenceRI20 PPM1.2 GPGSoft18.9–21.1 PPM11 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
3East ProvidenceRI20 PPM1.2 GPGSoft18.9–21.9 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
4GoldsboroNC23 PPM1.3 GPGSoft21.3–25.3 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
5MariettaGA29 PPM1.7 GPGSoft28.4–33.7 PPM8 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
6NatchitochesLA30 PPM1.8 GPGSoft28.4–30.4 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
7AtlantaGA34 PPM2 GPGSoft28.4–39 PPM23 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
8PortlandOR35 PPM2 GPGSoft32.5–37.8 PPM28 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
9CartersvilleGA38 PPM2.2 GPGSoft38–38 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
10DurhamNC41 PPM2.4 GPGSoft40.5–55.4 PPM10 ZIPs · 7 sites100%strict rule
11ApexNC42 PPM2.5 GPGSoft39.8–46.6 PPM4 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
12CaryNC43 PPM2.5 GPGSoft41.9–46.6 PPM4 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
13RaleighNC47 PPM2.7 GPGSoft29.8–55.4 PPM17 ZIPs · 13 sites100%strict rule
14HartfordCT52 PPM3 GPGSoft49–52 PPM7 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
15PhoenixAZ54 PPM3.2 GPGSoft54–64 PPM40 ZIPs · 10 sites100%strict rule
16GlendaleAZ55 PPM3.2 GPGSoft54–64 PPM9 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
17PeoriaAZ55 PPM3.2 GPGSoft54–56 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
18ScottsdaleAZ55 PPM3.2 GPGSoft55–238 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
19BartlettTN56 PPM3.3 GPGSoft53.7–55.9 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
20NashuaNH58 PPM3.4 GPGSoft58–63.3 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
21SurpriseAZ58 PPM3.4 GPGSoft54–64 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
22MemphisTN59 PPM3.5 GPGSoft52.7–63 PPM29 ZIPs · 22 sites100%strict rule
23CarsonNV61 PPM3.6 GPGModerately Hard61–61 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
24AvondaleAZ64 PPM3.7 GPGModerately Hard64–64 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
25DoverDE64 PPM3.7 GPGModerately Hard63.3–64.9 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
26New BritainCT64 PPM3.7 GPGModerately Hard64.3–69.3 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
27ConroeTX65 PPM3.8 GPGModerately Hard63.1–65.4 PPM6 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
28Las VegasNV66 PPM3.9 GPGModerately Hard65.8–65.8 PPM8 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
29HoustonTX67 PPM3.9 GPGModerately Hard63.8–71.8 PPM21 ZIPs · 6 sites100%strict rule
30AlexandriaVA72 PPM4.2 GPGModerately Hard71–73 PPM6 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
31WashingtonDC73 PPM4.3 GPGModerately Hard70.6–73.3 PPM57 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
32TrentonNJ75 PPM4.4 GPGModerately Hard69.9–80.9 PPM7 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
33CamdenNJ78 PPM4.6 GPGModerately Hard72.1–81.1 PPM5 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
34FayettevilleAR79 PPM4.6 GPGModerately Hard74.3–89.3 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
35WichitaKS86 PPM5 GPGModerately Hard86.2–92.2 PPM22 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
36StatesboroGA103 PPM6 GPGModerately Hard102.8–106 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
37PhiladelphiaPA106 PPM6.2 GPGModerately Hard80.8–129 PPM49 ZIPs · 10 sites100%strict rule
38DentonTX110 PPM6.4 GPGModerately Hard110–110 PPM7 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
39GarlandTX115 PPM6.7 GPGModerately Hard113.5–115.5 PPM5 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
40MercedCA115 PPM6.7 GPGModerately Hard104.5–133.5 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
41MesquiteTX116 PPM6.8 GPGModerately Hard115–115.5 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
42WylieTX116 PPM6.8 GPGModerately Hard115.5–119 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
43DallasTX117 PPM6.8 GPGModerately Hard108–122 PPM45 ZIPs · 6 sites100%strict rule
44IrvingTX117 PPM6.8 GPGModerately Hard116–118 PPM6 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
45Fort WorthTX118 PPM6.9 GPGModerately Hard98.7–121 PPM11 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
46ArlingtonTX118 PPM6.9 GPGModerately Hard109.5–120 PPM9 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
47Grand PrairieTX118 PPM6.9 GPGModerately Hard117–119 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
48PlanoTX118 PPM6.9 GPGModerately Hard117–118.5 PPM4 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
49WilmingtonDE119 PPM7 GPGModerately Hard115–129 PPM6 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
50ConstantiaNY119 PPM7 GPGModerately Hard103–118.5 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
51AlbuquerqueNM121 PPM7.1 GPGHard121–128 PPM14 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
52NewarkNJ122 PPM7.1 GPGHard108–125 PPM9 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
53YonkersNY126 PPM7.4 GPGHard122.5–126.5 PPM7 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
54New YorkNY127 PPM7.4 GPGHard79.6–154 PPM89 ZIPs · 6 sites100%strict rule
55New RochelleNY127 PPM7.4 GPGHard127–127.5 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
56PittsburghPA130 PPM7.6 GPGHard123–145 PPM24 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
57ShreveportLA133 PPM7.8 GPGHard133–243 PPM8 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
58JesupGA134 PPM7.8 GPGHard121–138 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
59Santa RosaCA140 PPM8.2 GPGHard135.5–141.5 PPM6 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
60AlbanyGA156 PPM9.1 GPGHard155.5–157 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
61San AntonioTX159 PPM9.3 GPGHard96.2–277.5 PPM56 ZIPs · 16 sites100%strict rule
62JacksonvilleNC188 PPM11 GPGVery Hard183.5–194.5 PPM6 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
63San BernardinoCA189 PPM11.1 GPGVery Hard183–196.5 PPM9 ZIPs · 6 sites100%strict rule
64Colorado SpringsCO191 PPM11.2 GPGVery Hard187.5–200.5 PPM25 ZIPs · 17 sites100%strict rule
65MinneapolisMN191 PPM11.2 GPGVery Hard180.5–264 PPM21 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
66Wichita FallsTX199 PPM11.6 GPGVery Hard199–199 PPM6 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
67San JoseCA202 PPM11.8 GPGVery Hard178.5–261.5 PPM30 ZIPs · 8 sites100%strict rule
68SchenectadyNY213 PPM12.5 GPGVery Hard213–213 PPM4 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
69RiversideCA217 PPM12.7 GPGVery Hard203–296.5 PPM8 ZIPs · 5 sites100%strict rule
70OmahaNE224 PPM13.1 GPGVery Hard224–255 PPM29 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
71BellevueNE224 PPM13.1 GPGVery Hard224–224 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
72RentonWA233 PPM13.6 GPGVery Hard232–232.5 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
73MartinsburgWV244 PPM14.3 GPGVery Hard238–250 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
74WhittierCA244 PPM14.3 GPGVery Hard243–245 PPM4 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
75AustinTX248 PPM14.5 GPGVery Hard247.5–247.5 PPM27 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
76DowneyCA249 PPM14.6 GPGVery Hard246–249 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
77LakewoodCA249 PPM14.6 GPGVery Hard243.5–249 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
78Los AngelesCA254 PPM14.9 GPGVery Hard254–254 PPM5 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
79WoodburyNY255 PPM14.9 GPGVery Hard54.9–268.5 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
80HomesteadFL255 PPM14.9 GPGVery Hard255–256 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
81HialeahFL260 PPM15.2 GPGVery Hard257–264 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
82MiamiFL261 PPM15.3 GPGVery Hard257–267.5 PPM19 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
83SunnyvaleCA262 PPM15.3 GPGVery Hard233–261.5 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
84North MiamiFL264 PPM15.4 GPGVery Hard264–272.5 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
85Cedar RapidsIA274 PPM16 GPGVery Hard272–295 PPM6 ZIPs · 5 sites100%strict rule
86HarrisonburgVA274 PPM16 GPGVery Hard273.5–277 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
87MiramarFL276 PPM16.1 GPGVery Hard272.5–280 PPM4 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
88Palo AltoCA277 PPM16.2 GPGVery Hard261.5–292.5 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
89StocktonCA278 PPM16.3 GPGVery Hard249–306 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
90Pembroke PinesFL280 PPM16.4 GPGVery Hard279.5–280 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
91Fort LauderdaleFL282 PPM16.5 GPGVery Hard281.5–283 PPM10 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
92DavieFL282 PPM16.5 GPGVery Hard281–283 PPM4 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
93Pompano BeachFL282 PPM16.5 GPGVery Hard281–282 PPM4 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
94PlantationFL282 PPM16.5 GPGVery Hard282–283 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
95SunriseFL282 PPM16.5 GPGVery Hard281–282 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
96WestonFL282 PPM16.5 GPGVery Hard272.5–283 PPM3 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
97West Palm BeachFL284 PPM16.6 GPGVery Hard284–290.5 PPM6 ZIPs · 4 sites100%strict rule
98RuidosoNM288 PPM16.8 GPGVery Hard287.5–287.5 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule
99Lehigh AcresFL308 PPM18 GPGVery Hard290–310.5 PPM6 ZIPs · 3 sites100%strict rule
100Bonita SpringsFL320 PPM18.7 GPGVery Hard319–320 PPM3 ZIPs · 2 sites100%strict rule

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 3that pass the strict ranking rule and at least 2distinct monitoring sites. 115 cities meet that rule in the current dataset.

Qualification reduces single-site outliers but does not turn environmental observations into utility or household results. Open any city to inspect distance, dates, source alignment, utility associations, and individual ZIP profiles.

Quick answer

Which US city has the softest qualifying regional hardness evidence?

Cranston, RI is first in this research comparison with a qualifying regional median of 19 PPM (1.1 GPG), based on 5 observations.

This result describes qualifying regional environmental evidence. It must not be generalized to a utility or address without a current utility report or tap measurement.

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state ranking

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state ranking

Lower-hardness state evidence

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city ranking

Higher-hardness city evidence

Compare up to 100 cities using only qualifying source-aligned regional hardness observations, with PPM, GPG, ranges, and provenance.