This Is the Loudest State in America
Can't seem to find any peace and quiet? Here's where your state ranks on our Loudness Index.
![woman in a white shirt plugging her fingers in her ears](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/woman-plugging-finger-in-ears.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
The U.S. is a nation of hustle and bustle. Traffic can be a nightmare, construction projects are endless, and the country is home to some of the busiest airports—not to mention an enormous number of people. So, unless you've found a hideaway in Washington's Olympic National Park, dubbed one of the quietest places on earth, chances are your home state can get pretty loud—and that can interfere with your quality of life. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls noise pollution an "underestimated threat" that can cause health problems like sleep disruption, cardiovascular issues, and hearing loss. This all got us wondering which U.S. state is the loudest—so we crunched the numbers to find out.
To start, we calculated the population density—the number of people per square mile—for each of the 50 states using the latest U.S. Census population data and each state's total land area in square miles. Then, we compared the U.S. Department of Transportation's total motor vehicle registrations to the state's population to determine the number of vehicles per capita. We also looked into how much noise construction and air traffic added to the mix. For that, we tallied the construction spending per capita based on a report from the Associated General Contractors of America, comparing private nonresidential spending and state and local spending with the total population. And for air traffic we calculated the number of flights that land and fly over each state every year using travel data site ChampionTraveler.
We ran each of these metrics through our exclusive algorithm to generate a loudness score based on a 100-point scale with 100 being the noisiest. According to our Loudness Index, the East Coast is not the place to go for some peace and quiet. Which other parts of the country are bringing the noise? Read on to discover where your state falls as we rank all 50 of them from quietest to loudest. And to see where you're most likely to find people that enjoy a cocktail or two, This Is the Drunkest State in America.
50
Vermont
![cityscape photos of stores and street in downtown Montpellier, Vermont](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/montipeler-vermont.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 67.70
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.99
Construction spending per capita: $924.70
Number of flights: 19,389
Loudness Score: 0.00
And for the place that is the least polite, This Is the Rudest State in America.
49
Maine
![cityscape photos of Portland, Maine](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/portland-maine-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 43.58
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.84
Construction spending per capita: $1,665.66
Number of flights: 7,299
Loudness Score: 3.64
48
New Hampshire
![cityscape photo of Portsmouth, New Hampshire at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/portsmouth-new-hampshire.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 151.87
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.99
Construction spending per capita: $950.94
Number of flights: 26,036
Loudness Score: 5.24
And if you don't want to live in a place where you'll be surrounded by big spenders, This Is the Stingiest State in America.
47
Mississippi
![cityscape photos of a traffic on a street next to the Biloxi Lighthouse in Biloxi, Mississippi at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/biloxi-mississippi.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 63.43
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.69
Construction spending per capita: $861.18
Number of flights: 433,673
Loudness Score: 15.17
46
Idaho
![cityscape photos of mountains, moving cars, buildings, and the state capitol in Boise, Idaho at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/boise-idaho-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 21.62
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.07
Construction spending per capita: $1,473.37
Number of flights: 215,391
Loudness Score: 21.59
And for the place that may lower your chances of living a long life, This Is the Deadliest State in America.
45
Alaska
![cityscape photo of mountains, buildings, and a river in Anchorage, Alaska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/anchorage-alaska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 1.28
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.09
Construction spending per capita: $2,505.66
Number of flights: 35,897
Loudness Score: 24.98
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44
Michigan
![cityscape photo of Detroit, Michigan at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/detroit-michigan-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 176.64
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.84
Construction spending per capita: $1,345.87
Number of flights: 397,548
Loudness Score: 31.20
And to find out what part of the U.S. is most pungent, This Is the Smelliest State in America.
43
Oregon
![cityscape photo of bridge above lake and building in Portland, Oregon at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/portland-oregon-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 43.94
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.94
Construction spending per capita: $2,269.46
Number of flights: 245,511
Loudness Score: 31.97
42
West Virginia
![cityscape photo of Charleston, West Virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/charleson-west-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 74.55
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.94
Construction spending per capita: $1,267.20
Number of flights: 468,751
Loudness Score: 32.94
And for more about states that aren't very generous, This Is the Stingiest State in America.
41
Wisconsin
![cityscape photos of buildings and house in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/milwaukee-wisconsin-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 107.51
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.98
Construction spending per capita: $2,191.52
Number of flights: 209,976
Loudness Score: 33.04
40
Minnesota
![cityscape photo of river, bridge, and buildings in St. Paul, Minnesota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/st-paul-minnesota-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 70.83
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.96
Construction spending per capita: $2,406.36
Number of flights: 199,222
Loudness Score: 33.14
39
Arkansas
![cityscape photo of Little Rock, Arkansas at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/little-rock-arkansas-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 58.00
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.94
Construction spending per capita: $1,652.53
Number of flights: 409,850
Loudness Score: 33.92
38
Washington
![cityscape photo of a church, buildings, and trees in Spokane, Washington](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/spokane-washington.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 114.59
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.95
Construction spending per capita: $2,449.67
Number of flights: 175,241
Loudness Score: 33.99
37
New Mexico
![cityscape photo of buildings and trees in Albuquerque, New Mexico](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/albuquerque-new-mexico.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 17.29
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.87
Construction spending per capita: $1,383.99
Number of flights: 597,261
Loudness Score: 37.73
36
Utah
![cityscape photo of trees, buildings, and brown mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/salt-lake-city-utah-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 39.02
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.75
Construction spending per capita: $2,013.44
Number of flights: 532,843
Loudness Score: 39.83
35
Montana
![cityscape photo of Missoula, Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/missoula-montana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 7.34
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.74
Construction spending per capita: $1,673.87
Number of flights: 108,714
Loudness Score: 40.75
34
Hawaii
![cityscape photo of palm trees, buildings, and fast moving cars in Honolulu, Hawaii](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/honolulu-hawaii-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 220.44
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.89
Construction spending per capita: $3,015.10
Number of flights: 102,602
Loudness Score: 41.10
33
Kansas
![cityscape photos of Wichita, Kansas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/wichita-kansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 35.63
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.92
Construction spending per capita: $1,847.72
Number of flights: 517,341
Loudness Score: 42.23
32
Wyoming
![cityscape photo of downtown Jackson Hole, Wyoming](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/jackson-hole-wyoming.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 5.96
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.45
Construction spending per capita: $1,847.06
Number of flights: 252,633
Loudness Score: 42.28
31
Nebraska
![cityscape photos of buildings and streets in Omaha, Nebraska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/omaha-nebraska-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 25.18
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.02
Construction spending per capita: $2,009.92
Number of flights: 437,382
Loudness Score: 42.35
30
Oklahoma
![cityscape photo of Tulsa, Oklahoma at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/tulsa-oklahoma.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 57.69
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.94
Construction spending per capita: $1,988.90
Number of flights: 463,752
Loudness Score: 42.58
29
Missouri
![cityscape photo of Kansas City, Missouri](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/kansas-city-missouri.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 89.28
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.90
Construction spending per capita: $1,479.77
Number of flights: 591,675
Loudness Score: 43.47
28
South Carolina
![cityscape photos of bridge, lake, and apartment buildings in Greenville, South Carolina at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/greenville-south-carolina.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 171.28
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.88
Construction spending per capita: $1,943.79
Number of flights: 465,641
Loudness Score: 45.67
27
Louisiana
![cityscape photo of buildings in New Orleans, Louisiana at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/new-oreleans-louisiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 107.60
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.83
Construction spending per capita: $2,930.87
Number of flights: 351,380
Loudness Score: 48.19
26
Connecticut
![cityscape photo of an empt parking lot, trees, buildings, and a busy highway in Hartford, Connecticut at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/hartford-conneticut.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 736.33
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.81
Construction spending per capita: $1,429.34
Number of flights: 215,979
Loudness Score: 48.29
25
Alabama
![cityscape photo of a highway, homes, and buildings in Mobile, Alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/mobile-alabama-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 96.81
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.08
Construction spending per capita: $1,989.12
Number of flights: 471,774
Loudness Score: 50.36
24
Florida
![cityscape photo of a roundabout and buildings in Tampa, Florida at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/tampa-florida.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 400.52
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.82
Construction spending per capita: $1,763.87
Number of flights: 455,357
Loudness Score: 52.23
23
Arizona
![cityscape photo of Phoenix, Arizona at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/phoenix-arizona-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 64.08
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.81
Construction spending per capita: $1,705.52
Number of flights: 744,219
Loudness Score: 52.41
22
Georgia
![cityscape photo of fast moving traffic on a highway and building in Atlanta, Georgia at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/atlanta-georgia-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 184.61
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.81
Construction spending per capita: $1,819.74
Number of flights: 646,556
Loudness Score: 53.93
21
Tennessee
![cityscape photo of buildings, a highway, and the Sunsphere in Knoxville, Tennessee](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/knoxville-tennsesee.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 165.62
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.85
Construction spending per capita: $1,827.01
Number of flights: 646,301
Loudness Score: 54.55
20
South Dakota
![cityscape photo of shops, trees along mountains, and a road in Deadwood City, South Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/deadwood-city-south-dakota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 11.67
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.44
Construction spending per capita: $3,079.15
Number of flights: 159,320
Loudness Score: 54.80
19
North Dakota
![cityscape photo of shop, railroad track, and train in downtown Fargo, North Dakota in the snow](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/fargo-north-dakota-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 11.04
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.19
Construction spending per capita: $4,154.52
Number of flights: 71,814
Loudness Score: 55.98
18
Kentucky
![cityscape photo of a river and buildings in Louisville, Kentucky at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/louisville-kentucky-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 113.15
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.98
Construction spending per capita: $2,089.68
Number of flights: 592,471
Loudness Score: 56.83
17
Colorado
![cityscape photos of buildings and tress in Colorado Springs, Colorado at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/colorado-springs-colorado.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 55.56
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.94
Construction spending per capita: $1,921.78
Number of flights: 706,852
Loudness Score: 57.45
16
Indiana
![cityscape photo of Indianapolis, Indiana at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/indianapolis-indiana-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 187.91
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.92
Construction spending per capita: $1,735.24
Number of flights: 700,420
Loudness Score: 60.47
15
California
![cityscape photo of a bridge and river in San Francisco, California at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/san-francisco-california.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 253.64
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.79
Construction spending per capita: $1,628.64
Number of flights: 755,344
Loudness Score: 60.89
14
Ohio
![cityscape photo of buildings, trees, a lake, and a park in Toledo, Ohio](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/toledo-ohio.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 286.07
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.93
Construction spending per capita: $1,642.13
Number of flights: 697,626
Loudness Score: 64.31
13
Iowa
![cityscape photo of buildings, a street, and statue from behind in downtown Des Moines, Iowa at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/des-moines-iowa-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 56.48
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.17
Construction spending per capita: $2,671.89
Number of flights: 512,782
Loudness Score: 64.36
12
Illinois
![cityscape of houses and shops downtown Galena, Illinois](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/galena-illinois.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 228.24
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.83
Construction spending per capita: $1,312.28
Number of flights: 889,783
Loudness Score: 65.26
11
Massachusetts
![cityscape photos of buildings and shops in Quincy Market in Boston, Massachusetts at twilight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/boston-massachusetts.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 883.65
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.74
Construction spending per capita: $2,581.94
Number of flights: 146,056
Loudness Score: 66.08
10
Nevada
![cityscape photos of building, casinos, and streets in Las Vegas, Nevada at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/las-vegas-nevada-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 28.06
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.83
Construction spending per capita: $2,877.45
Number of flights: 713,776
Loudness Score: 66.86
9
Pennsylvania
![Cityscape photo of street cars and building in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/philadelphia-pennsylvania-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 286.12
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.84
Construction spending per capita: $1,733.09
Number of flights: 769,222
Loudness Score: 66.91
8
North Carolina
![cityscape photo of Raleigh, North Carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/raleigh-north-carolina.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 215.72
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.79
Construction spending per capita: $1,836.94
Number of flights: 838,934
Loudness Score: 67.68
7
New York
![cityscape photo of buildings and the skyline in New York City, New York](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/new-york-new-york-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 412.80
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.59
Construction spending per capita: $2,884.10
Number of flights: 574,296
Loudness Score: 69.00
6
Texas
![cityscape photo of buildings, highway, and lake in Austin, Texas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/austin-texas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 111.00
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.77
Construction spending per capita: $2,824.09
Number of flights: 740,976
Loudness Score: 70.13
5
Delaware
![cityscape photo of a pier, lake, and buildings at River Walk Park in Wilmington, Delaware at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/wilmington-delaware-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 499.62
Number of vehicles per capita: 1.04
Construction spending per capita: $2,447.20
Number of flights: 383,906
Loudness Score: 70.88
4
Maryland
![cityscape photo of downtown Annapolis, Maryland at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/annapolis-maryland.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 622.82
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.70
Construction spending per capita: $1,571.87
Number of flights: 680,633
Loudness Score: 71.00
3
Rhode Island
![cityscape photo of pier and building in downtown Providence, Rhode Island](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/providence-rhode-island.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 1024.53
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.82
Construction spending per capita: $2,236.25
Number of flights: 152,695
Loudness Score: 71.80
2
Virginia
![cityscape photo of Richmond, Virginia at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/richmond-virginia-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 216.14
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.89
Construction spending per capita: $1,867.61
Number of flights: 954,182
Loudness Score: 79.44
1
New Jersey
![cityscape photo of buildings in downtown Jersey City, New Jersey](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/jersey-city-new-jersey-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Population density: 1207.80
Number of vehicles per capita: 0.68
Construction spending per capita: $1,395.04
Number of flights: 710,816
Loudness Score: 100.00