An increasing number of studies have linked ambient air pollution to chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence. However, its potential effect modification by urbanization has not been investigated. Based on data of 47,204 adults from the China National Survey of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKSCKD) dataset, night light satellite remote sensing data and high-resolution air pollution inversion products, the present cross-sectional study investigated the association between fine particulate matter <2.5 mm in diameter (PM_2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), night light index (NLI) and CKD prevalence in China, and the effect modification by urbanization characterized by administrative classification and NLI on the pollutant-health associations. Our results showed that a 10-μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 at 3-year moving average, a 10-μg/m³ increase in NO₂ at 5-year moving average, and a 10-U increase in NLI at 5-year moving average were significantly associated with increased odds of CKD prevalence [OR = 1.24 (95 %CI:1.14, 1.35); OR = 1.12 (95 %CI:1.09, 1.15); OR = 1.05 (95 %CI:1.02, 1.07)]. Meanwhile, the pollutant-health associations were more apparent in medium-urbanized areas compared to low- and high-urbanized areas. For instance, a 10-μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 concentration at 2-year moving average was associated with increased odds of CKD in the areas with NLI level in the second [OR = 2.78 (95 %CI:1.77, 4.36)] and third quartiles [OR = 1.49 (95 %CI:1.14, 1.95)], compared to the lowest [OR = 0.96 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.26)] and highest [OR = 0.63 (95% CI: 0.39–1.02)] quartiles. PM_2.5 and NO₂ were associated with increased odds of CKD prevalence, especially in areas with medium NLI levels, suggesting the necessity of strengthening environmental management in medium-urbanized regions.