Study: The American Toilet Crisis – A City-by-City Comparison

By Charlie Bramble | July 30, 2024

a public toilet

Access to public restrooms is more than just a convenience—it’s a necessity. 

We have conducted a study comparing public restroom availability across seven major U.S. cities. The results are surprising and, in some cases, concerning. 

Let’s dive into the data and explore what it means for urban planning and public health.

 

Key Findings

  • Los Angeles only has 14 public restrooms with 3.849 million people. That’s 1 restroom per 274,929 people.
  • Using San Diego’s ratio below, LA needs 820 additional public restrooms. Building permanent public restrooms would cost LA at least $65,6 million.
  • Asking All Sites Rentals for porta potty rental rates would cost LA $114,800 per month for 820 porta potties.
  • LA was using porta potties for $9 to $36 per day meaning the city was overpaying for their porta potties at $270 – $1116 per month.

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The Shocking Statistics

Here’s a breakdown of public restroom availability in seven U.S. cities:

CityTotal Public RestroomsPopulationRatio of Public Restrooms to PopulationPeople per Single RestroomRank
San Diego2941.382 million0.0002134,700#1
Chicago500 2.697 million0.00018545,394#2
Wyoming 100578,8030.0001735,788#3
New York1,1008.468 million0.000137,698#4
Dallas 162 1.288 million0.0001267,950#5
San Antonio115 1.452 million0.0000812,626#6
Los Angeles14 3.849 million0.00000364274,929#7

 

The Not-So-Hollywood Truth About Los Angeles

Los Angeles finds itself in a particularly dire situation. 

With only 14 public restrooms serving a population of 3.849 million, the City of Angels has earned the dubious distinction of having the worst public restroom accessibility among the cities studied.
 

Key Findings for Los Angeles:

  • Ratio: 1 restroom per 274,929 people
  • To match San Diego’s ratio: 820 additional public restrooms
  • Estimated cost for permanent restrooms: $65.6 million
  • Monthly cost for porta potties: $114,800 for 820 units

 

The High Cost of Relief

Interestingly, Los Angeles has been using porta potties at a cost of $9 to $36 per day, which translates to $270 – $1,116 per month. This suggests that the city may be overpaying for its temporary solutions.
 

New York City: A Surprising Fourth Place Finish

Despite its massive population, New York City ranks fourth in public restroom accessibility among the cities studied. While this is better than some might expect, there’s still room for improvement.
 

Key Findings for New York:

  • Total public restrooms: 1,100
  • Population served: 8.468 million
  • Ratio: 1 toilet per 7,698 people
  • To match San Diego’s ratio: Need 1,801 additional toilets
  • Estimated cost for improvement: $144 million
  • Monthly cost for porta potties: $252,140 for 1,801 units

 

The Porta Potty Solution: A Temporary Fix?

For cities looking to quickly improve their public restroom situation, porta potties offer a fast and flexible solution. 

However, the costs can add up:

  • Los Angeles: $114,800 per month for 820 units
  • New York City: $252,140 per month for 1,801 units

 

Conclusion

This study highlights the significant disparities in public restroom access across major U.S. cities. While some cities like San Diego and Chicago are leading the way, others like Los Angeles are facing a serious shortage. 

As urban populations continue to grow, city planners and officials must prioritize this essential public amenity to ensure the health, comfort, and dignity of their residents and visitors.

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