How Loud Is Seattle, WA?
I-5 runs elevated through the middle of Seattle, and neighborhoods on either side of the ship canal bridges live with constant traffic hum. Sea-Tac's north flow arrivals track directly over Beacon Hill and Georgetown, which also absorb Boeing Field's general aviation — the south end carries a disproportionate share of the city's aircraft noise.
Seattle Noise Map
The map below combines two data sources: the official U.S. DOT National Transportation Noise Map (modeled 24-hour average road, rail, and aviation noise — the colored bands) and real decibel readings measured by DecibelMap users (the dots). Drag and zoom to explore any neighborhood.
Colored bands: modeled traffic noise, quieter → louder (yellow 45 dB → orange → red → pink → purple → blue 90+ dB). Source: U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2022. Dots: crowdsourced readings.
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🎤 Measure Noise in SeattleOpen the full map — measure your street in 5 seconds
What Makes Seattle Loud
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Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
Aircraft arrivals and departures create corridors of elevated noise — check the purple/blue bands on the map.
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Boeing Field (BFI)
Aircraft arrivals and departures create corridors of elevated noise — check the purple/blue bands on the map.
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Major corridors: I-5, SR-99, I-90
Highway noise typically reaches 65–75 dB within a block of the roadway and stays audible for a half mile or more.
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Rail
Link light rail, Sounder commuter rail, BNSF waterfront freight line.
Noise Levels Reference
| Environment | Typical dB | What It Means |
|---|
| Quiet residential | 30–45 dB | Birdsong and leaves — ideal for sleep |
| Suburban street | 45–55 dB | Occasional cars, generally calm |
| Moderate urban | 55–65 dB | Steady background hum |
| Busy road | 65–75 dB | Raised-voice territory |
| Highway / flight path | 75–85+ dB | Constant stress, health risk over time |
The WHO recommends under 40 dB in bedrooms for healthy sleep. If a street reads above 60 dB with windows open, expect to rely on closed windows, white noise, or earplugs.
Check a Specific Address in Seattle
2
Search the address
Type any street address in the search bar. Check the colored noise bands and nearby readings.
3
Measure it yourself
On site, tap the 🎤 button — 5 seconds later your reading is pinned to the map and helps the next person.
Common Questions
How loud is Seattle?
Noise levels in Seattle vary widely by neighborhood. Streets near I-5, SR-99, I-90 typically measure 60–75 dB, while residential streets away from major corridors are usually 40–55 dB. Use the interactive map above to see modeled transportation noise for any block in Seattle, plus real crowdsourced decibel readings.
What are the loudest areas in Seattle, WA?
The loudest areas of Seattle are generally along the major highway corridors (I-5, SR-99, I-90) and under the flight paths serving Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), Boeing Field (BFI). I-5 runs elevated through the middle of Seattle, and neighborhoods on either side of the ship canal bridges live with constant traffic hum.
What is a good noise level for an apartment in Seattle?
The WHO recommends under 40 dB inside bedrooms for healthy sleep. When checking an apartment, aim for a street reading below 60 dB with windows open — quieter than that, closed windows can usually get interiors into the sleepable range. Visit at rush hour and late evening before signing a lease.
How can I measure noise levels in Seattle?
Open decibelmap.com on your phone at any location in Seattle, tap the microphone button, and hold still for 5 seconds. The reading is pinned to your GPS location on the global map. No app download or signup needed, and no audio is recorded — only the decibel number.
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