In this article, we will talk about the 20 quietest big cities to live in the US. You can also take a look at the 25 Most Festive Cities in the US.
Long-term exposure to noise pollution poses serious health risks for millions of individuals. According to the European Environmental Agency, 20% of Europe’s population experiences noise pollution with severe health consequences. Data indicates that environmental noise contributes to 48,000 cases of ischemic heart disease annually and is responsible for approximately 12,000 premature deaths. Furthermore, an estimated 6.5 million people suffer from chronic sleep disturbances due to noise. It is also estimated that aircraft noise has negatively impacted the reading abilities of over 12,000 children.
Globally, noise-induced hearing loss affects about 5% of the population. A study conducted among traffic police in Hyderabad, India, revealed that around 76% of them suffer from noise-induced hearing loss. Meanwhile, in developed countries like the US, surveys show that about 6% of the population, particularly males, experience noise-induced hearing loss. These findings highlight the severe impact of noise pollution on public health worldwide.
Overview: Noise Mitigation Market
The adverse effects of noise pollution have increased the demand for noise mitigation solutions to reduce its impact both outdoors and indoors. According to Global Market Insights, the Noise Mitigation Market reached a value of around $1.2 billion in 2022. The market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2023 to 2032. In terms of regions, North America held the largest market share in 2022 at 36%.
The industry growth is being largely driven by government initiatives aimed at protecting public health from the negative effects of noise pollution, as well as increased production of sound mitigation products by companies such as Noise Barriers and Acoustiblok, Inc.
Furthermore, online marketplaces like Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) also play an important role in increasing consumer access to soundproofing products like acoustic panel walls. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) has been working on expanding its operations and achieving synergies across different divisions. The company recently hosted its 2024 results conference call.
In fiscal year 2024, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) reported a total consolidated revenue of RMB 941 billion, reflecting an 8% growth. The consolidated adjusted EBITDA saw a 12% rise, reaching RMB 165 billion. Non-GAAP net income rose by 11%, amounting to RMB 157.5 billion. Furthermore, non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS experienced a 14% rise, supported by the company’s ongoing share repurchase program.
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Here’s what Artisan Partners said about Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) in its Q1 2024 investor letter:
“Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) shares declined 7% during the quarter. There isn’t much new to say about Alibaba. There was no meaningful news that drove the share price decline. The earnings for the December quarter were fine, with revenues and profits both increasing 5%—not typically an exciting level of growth, but certainly enough to justify the company’s paltry valuation of 4X–5X EBIT. As we have written in recent letters, this is a valuation level that is normally reserved for a dying business, and Alibaba is not a dying business. Management continues to implement changes that are intended to increase shareholder value. Over the past year, they have changed management, adjusted the company structure, contemplated spinning off assets, made progress monetizing the balance sheet and have improved the capital allocation. All of these actions have yet to be reflected at all in the share price. This is a stock that could double and would still be cheap.”
Our Methodology
To shortlist the 20 quietest big cities to live in the US, we referred to the ArcGIS noise map viewer to collect information regarding the mean noise levels across cities. The mean noise levels have been expressed in A-weighted decibels (dBA), which measure the relative loudness of sounds as perceived by the human ear. We filtered our results to include only those cities with a population greater than 500K. The quietest big cities have been ranked in descending order of their mean noise levels.
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20 Quietest Big Cities to Live in the US
20. San Jose, California
Mean Noise Level: 42.65 dBA
San Jose offers a peaceful and high quality of life. The city’s closeness to other major tech headquarters in Silicon Valley, such as Google’s base in Mountain View and Apple in Cupertino, highlights its role within the tech industry. Beyond its tech industry ties, San Jose is known for many attractions, including the Winchester Mystery House, a life-sized Monopoly board, and a 120-acre flea market.
19. Charlotte, North Carolina
Mean Noise Level: 42.60 dBA
The mean noise level in the city stands at 42.6 dBA. The local government in Charlotte is making efforts to improve transportation systems and light rail to further control noise pollution in the city.
18. Columbus, Ohio
Mean Noise Level: 42.54 dBA
Columbus is recognized as one of the most serene cities, with low traffic and air noise. The city also enjoys proximity to major US cities just a short distance away. Residents of Columbus often describe the city as a welcoming place. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy attractions like the Columbus Zoo and Waterpark in the city.
17. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mean Noise Level: 42.53 dBA
Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin, yet it remains one of the calmest places to live. The city’s diverse community also makes it an easy place for newcomers to settle in.
16. Detroit, Michigan
Mean Noise Level: 42.43 dBA
Despite its reputation for high crime rates, Detroit is a peaceful city in terms of road and aircraft noise pollution. The city has a mean noise level of 42.4 dBA.
15. San Antonio, Texas
Mean Noise Level: 42.36 dBA
San Antonio is a large city with a population of over 1.4 million, yet it has neighborhoods that offer a strong sense of community. Residents often comment that nights in San Antonio are peaceful compared to cities like NYC, where there is constant noise. The city’s friendly people, great places to visit, and job opportunities have contributed to a population increase of 4.7% since 2020.
14. Indianapolis, Indiana
Mean Noise Level: 41.94 dBA
Apart from being one of the quietest cities, Indianapolis also ranks highly in terms of affordability. The city is more affordable than many other parts of the country. In December, the median home price in the city was about $330,000, whereas the national median was around $400,000.
13. Mesa, Arizona
Mean Noise Level: 41.87 dBA
With a mean noise level of 41.87 dBA, Mesa ranks as one of the quietest places to live in the US. The city also ranks highly among the Safest Places to Live in the U.S.
12. Baltimore, Maryland
Mean Noise Level: 41.82 dBA
Despite its population of over 560,000, Baltimore is a quiet city with very friendly neighborhoods. The city’s mean noise level stands at 41.8 dBA, making it one of the most peaceful places to live in the USA.
11. San Diego, California
Mean Noise Level: 41.18 dBA
San Diego has a quality-of-life index of over 186, offering numerous living benefits along with a peaceful atmosphere. San Diego is among the top 15 quietest big cities to live in the US.
10. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mean Noise Level: 41.02 dBA
With a population of over 908,200 residents, the Albuquerque Metro area is experiencing steady growth at a rate of 1 to 2% annually. Meanwhile, the projections indicate a five-year growth rate of 7.2%. Despite its size, Albuquerque maintains a neighborhood-like atmosphere that attracts more residents.
9. Kansas, Missouri
Mean Noise Level: 40.98 dBA
Kansas City is an urban center in Missouri. The city has many serene spots to offer such as the Minor Park and the Cave Spring Interpretive Center, which is often referred to as a hidden forest within the city. The population of Kansas City, MO-KS increased from 2.18 million to 2.19 million between 2021 and 2022. During the same period, the median household income saw a rise from $73,299 to $78,827.
8. Forth Worth, Texas
Mean Noise Level: 40.85 dBA
Fort Worth enforces a strict noise control ordinance to maintain the city’s peace. During the day, from 7 am to 10 pm, residential noise levels must not exceed 70 decibels, while at night, from 10 pm to 7 am, the limit is 60 decibels. In commercial areas, the noise threshold is set at 80 decibels during the day and 70 decibels at night.
7. Phoenix, Alabama
Mean Noise Level: 40.67 dBA
Phoenix enjoys a high quality of life index of 162.87, thanks to its excellent education, peaceful atmosphere, and many outdoor activities. Since 2020, Phoenix’s population has increased by 3.98%.
6. Austin, Texas
Mean Noise Level: 40.65 dBA
Austin is one of the major cities in Texas. Despite some train noise, the city experiences minimal road traffic and aircraft noise. With a very high quality of life index of 193.49, Austin has seen a 1.8% increase in population since 2020, as more people move in to enjoy the city’s perks.
5. El Paso, Texas
Mean Noise Level: 40.07 dBA
To preserve nighttime peace, El Paso enforces a noise control ordinance limiting noise above 70 decibels after midnight. The city’s diverse culture and low crime rates attract people, leading to a 1.5% population increase between 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the El Paso Police Department recorded 1,692 crimes per 100,000 individuals. According to FBI crime statistics, only nine out of the 100 largest cities in the country reported lower crime rates.
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