How loud is city traffic?
Measurements on pavements at 99 sites across New York City found an average street noise level of 73.4 dBA. Sites ranged from 55.8 dBA to 95.0 dBA, and heavier traffic was significantly linked to higher levels.
- Level
- 73.4 dBAA-weighted sound level
- Daily limit
- No daily limitNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 12× energyabout 2.1× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Mean of 10-minute Leq measurements at 99 street sites across New York City with dosimeters worn at mid-shoulder; individual sites ranged from 55.8 to 95.0 dBA.
Researchers wore dosimeters with the microphone at mid-shoulder and took 10-minute measurements on weekdays at street sites across all boroughs of New York City, including some pocket parks. The mean was 73.4 dBA, and the density of vehicle traffic was significantly associated with excessive street-level noise. The loudest site reached 95.0 dBA and the quietest 55.8 dBA.
Most measurements were 70 dBA or more. Medium and heavy traffic raised the odds of a 10-minute average of 80 dBA or more, though the estimate was uncertain. For comparison, the National Park Service puts the din of a typical suburban area at 50 to 60 dBA.
How long is safe?
Below 85 dBA, the level NIOSH allows for a full 8-hour day.
| Level | NIOSH limit (85 dBA, 3 dB rule) | OSHA limit (90 dBA, 5 dB rule) | UK/EU 80 dB(A) action value reached after | UK/EU 85 dB(A) action value reached after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73.4 dBA | No limit | No limit | Not reached in 24 h | Not reached in 24 h |
Times are for a whole day’s exposure, with the rest of the day quiet. The workplace limits were written for adults at work, not for children. Work out a mixed day with the noise dose calculator.
Protecting your hearing
Street noise is rarely a hearing risk for short walks, but it adds up for people who work outdoors all day. Quieter side streets and parks make a real difference; at home, bedrooms facing away from the road help sleep.
Earplug and earmuff ratings (NRR in the US, SNR in the UK and EU) are lab figures; real-world protection is usually lower. How to read the ratings.
Compared with sounds nearby
Using midpoints of each range. Energy multiplies by 10 every 10 dB; perceived loudness roughly doubles (why).
- Alarm clock (60–80 dBA): this has about 2.2× its sound energy and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
- Inside a car (65–77.2 dBA): this has about 1.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- City bus (75.3–76 dBA): it has about 1.7× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Vacuum cleaner (62–90 dBA): it has about 1.8× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 12× its energy and sounds about 2.1× as loud.
Questions
How loud is a busy city street?
Across 99 New York City street sites the average was 73.4 dBA, with sites ranging from 55.8 to 95.0 dBA.
Is a suburb quieter?
The National Park Service gives 50 to 60 dBA for a typical suburban area.
Sources
- Street-level noise in an urban setting: assessment and contribution to personal exposure, Environmental Health (McAlexander et al., 2015). Supports: 73.4 dBA mean; range.
The mean street noise level was 73.4 dBA, with substantial spatial variation (range 55.8-95.0 dBA).
Checked 2026-11-03. - Street-level noise in an urban setting: assessment and contribution to personal exposure, Environmental Health (McAlexander et al., 2015). Supports: traffic association.
Density of vehicular (road) traffic was significantly associated with excessive street level noise levels.
Checked 2026-11-03. - Street-level noise in an urban setting: assessment and contribution to personal exposure, Environmental Health (McAlexander et al., 2015). Supports: method.
The duration of each measurement was 10 minutes.
Checked 2026-11-03. - Understanding Sound, US National Park Service. Supports: suburban comparison.
While the din of a typical suburban area fluctuates between 50 and 60 dBA
Checked 2026-11-03.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have ringing in your ears, muffled hearing or any change in your hearing, see an audiologist or your doctor.