Big cities can be full of excitement, but the bustling crowds can also make things pretty loud. And it turns out, it’s not just the major metro areas that are noisy these days. According to a new study, a lot of U.S. cities are very loud, and it reveals which ones are the noisiest.
- Researchers interviewed 1,005 city residents and compared noise pollution in the 99 most populous cities in the country, based on seven factors, including noise data, traffic and fatal accident data, online noise complaints and disturbances, and the number of outdoor pickleball courts.
- It seems the popularity of pickleball has led to hundreds of outdoor pickleball courts being installed and those persistent paddle pops have many residents complaining about the sport’s noise levels.
- The study notes that while some residents accept noise pollution as an inevitable part of city life, it can impact well-being and has been linked to chronic health problems and an increased risk of heart attack.
- One in eight Americans filed a noise complaint in the past year, with the top complaints being loud neighbors, barking dogs and car alarms.
- Newark, New Jersey, has the highest noise pollution, while Orlando, Florida, has the most noise complaints.
- Arlington, Virginia, is home to the most outdoor pickleball courts, with 90, contributing to it being one of the loudest cities.
The Top 10 Noisiest Cities in the U.S.
- Los Angeles, California
- Houston, Texas
- New York, New York
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Newark, New Jersey
- Chicago, Illinois
- Anaheim, California
- Santa Ana, California
- Jersey City, New Jersey
The 10 Quietest Cities in the U.S.
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Santa Clarita, California
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Plano, Texas
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Wichita, Kansas
- Lubbock, Texas
- Henderson, Nevada
- Greensboro, North Carolina
Source: Retirement Living
Photo: Getty Images