The quietest places in the world’s loudest cities
Worldwide, urbanization continues to grow (particularly quickly in developing economies), while in the ‘developed world’, almost 80% of the population already live in urban areas — many of them likely living in some of the loudest cities in the world.
Urban noise pollution is not going away. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the ‘noisiest’ cities across the US, UK, and mainland Europe, and the places within them where it’s possible to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
NB: ‘Noisiest’ refers to the percentage of each city’s residents who are exposed to high noise levels on an average day. See our methodology for details.
Described as “an underestimated threat” by the World Health Organization (WHO), noise pollution is “a leading environmental nuisance”. And with good reason: because we subconsciously interpret abrupt noises as signs of danger, they “trigger involuntary fight-or-flight responses” and “strain [the] autonomic nervous and endocrine systems”.
European research shows that noise pollution can even lead to premature deaths. Such high stakes show why opportunities to find peace—away from the likes of traffic noise, errant burglar alarms, and pneumatic drills—are so important.
