America’s 50 states are all unique, with vastly different characteristics. Some offer more hustle and bustle, while others are a ride in a slower lane of living.
All states have varying levels of noise, but some are louder than others. The Leaders Institute, a business management consulting company, attempted to quantify noise levels in all 50 states to determine which ones pack the most racket.
The study analyzed every state across nine critical metrics, which included “flight activity, commuter density, nightlife, and construction permits.”
When the numbers were crunched, one Northeastern state stood out as the loudest America has to offer.
The 10 ‘noisiest’ states in America, per The Leaders Institute
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts
- Florida
- Illinois
- Colorado
- Nevada
- Rhode Island
And what’s the quietest state, according to the data? Alaska, which makes sense when you consider how much open territory there is.
Garden State hubbub
As a lifelong resident of New Jersey, the author of this piece can’t say he’s overly shocked to see it top the list.
New Jersey’s total score of 53.76 was well ahead of second-place Delaware (39.34). The Garden State is the most densely-populated in the country, and its major highways are packed with traffic year-round.
In the skies, New Jersey is the site of one major airport (Newark International) and is in between others in Philadelphia and New York City.
“With over 14,500 flight operations, an average 1,100 people per square mile, and a staggering 50,000 commuters per square mile, the Garden State practically hums 24/7,” The Leaders Institute says. “Its location between New York City and Philadelphia creates a constant flow of traffic and air noise, while long commute times (averaging 33 minutes) ensure little respite. Add in dense housing and frequent public transit vehicles, and quiet moments are a rare luxury here.”
So if you’ve ever encountered a New Jerseyan and wondered about their loud or in-your-face personality, it’s probably literally just a product of their environment.
