Most of us have had noisy neighbours, but it appears that some states are louder than others.
A Zippia study ranked the noisiest states in America, ranging from bustling city apartments to suburban tranquilly.
Can you guess where Massachusetts is ranked?
Here Comes the Boom
Zippia conducted a study to determine the loudest states in the United States based on population data, home metrics, and car ownership.
Each state was ranked on a scale of 1 to 50 for home size, household size (or number of people living in a single home), population per square mile, and registered cars per square mile, with the average score determining the state’s final loudness ranking.
1: New Jersey
New Jersey, which is densely populated, tops the list of the loudest states based solely on traffic volume.
In one square mile, there are approximately 1,207 people and 371 cars.
2: California
Those seeking peace and quiet with a side of sunshine may want to relocate outside of California.
The Golden State has one of the highest average household sizes in the country, with 2.67 people squeezed into small homes measuring 1,625 square feet on average.
3: Hawaii
In Hawaii, beachside luxury isn’t always what it seems.
With an average home size of 1,308 square feet and 3.02 people per household, there will undoubtedly be a few loud late-night arguments that nearby neighbours will be unable to avoid.
4: Florida
Florida’s inclusion on a list of America’s loudest states may come as no surprise.
With 375.9 people and 148 cars per square mile, the Sunshine State’s year-round residents can easily drown out the soothing sounds of the ocean, and that doesn’t include the millions of tourists who visit each year.
5: Rhode Island
Rhode Island has the highest number of registered cars per square mile (395) in the entire country.
When combined with a population density of approximately 1,010 people per square mile, the state becomes extremely noisy.
6: Illinois
The average home size in Illinois is 1,632 square feet, which means that many people share cramped quarters, particularly in Chicago, where the average apartment size is 10.1% smaller than the national average.
7: Massachusetts
Massachusetts streets are bound to be noisy, whether travelling by train, bus, or car, with approximately 866 people and 278 cars per square mile.
8: New York
Upstate New York’s more rural surroundings help to balance Manhattan’s staggering statistics.
Despite the fact that many city dwellers do not drive, the Empire State still has approximately 100 registered cars per square mile.
9: Delaware
Delaware boasts a large average house size of 1,800 square feet.
Outside the home, the streets can be quite noisy, with 484 people and 222 registered cars per square mile.
10: Maryland
Passing approximately 615 people per square mile can be deafening, especially when combined with the roar of 197 automobile engines in Maryland.
The large average house size of 1,920 helps to disperse some of the extra noise, particularly at night.
11: Ohio
Ohio has fewer people per square mile, at 283, but those people live in homes that average only 1,620 square feet.
That’s a lot of foot traffic when neighbours are trying to get some sleep.
12: Connecticut
Connecticut is desirable because of its excellent schools, which may account for the 741 people and 269 registered vehicles per square mile.
All that traffic contributes to a noisy morning commute, which is exacerbated by reluctant students at private school drop-off.
13: Pennsylvania
Things are a little more serene in Pennsylvania, where there are only 98 registered cars per square mile.
However, with more than 280 people per square mile, things can get a little noisy, particularly in larger cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
14: Michigan
Michigan’s cold winters and smaller average house size of 1,530 square feet make for rowdy situations.
However, the loud lakeside state benefits from less traffic, with only 53 registered cars per square mile.
15: Indiana
Indiana keeps things a little more tranquil, with only 62 registered cars per square mile.
However, 184 people in the same radius may be too many for those looking to relax in a more rural setting.
More People, More Sound
Based on Zippia’s findings, more densely populated states like New Jersey, California, and Massachusetts are louder because of the sheer number of people and cars packed into smaller areas.
Where the People Aren’t
The quietest states in the United States are typically located on the Western side of the country, where people are more dispersed.
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming are all among the quietest states in the US.
The Quietest State
According to Zippia, Montana is the quietest state in the United States, with an astonishing seven people and three cars registered per square mile.
The Treasure State is an excellent choice for those looking to retire somewhere peaceful, particularly with an average home size of 2,040 square feet.