The quietest cities in the world

Noise is often the unnoticed backdrop of modern life. It is the invisible presence that shapes our cities and our sanity, creeping in through car horns, construction sites, crowded sidewalks, and restless nightlife. But across the globe, there are some cities that defy this norm, where the ambient sound levels make life incredibly bearable and even (dare we say) comfortable.

A city’s ambient noise level is typically measured in decibels (dB), and cities around the world tend to average around 85 dB, but some areas (especially in city centers) can exceed 90 db! To compare, experts recommend that office spaces should maintain a noise level of 45 dB, which means that many urban areas have more than double this value.

So, which cities around the world boast the quietest environments? Click through this gallery to find out.

15. Atlanta, USA

In 15th place is the US city of Atlanta, where the average noise level reaches around 73 dB across the city. Atlanta’s noise levels are lower than those of many cities its size, since its expansive suburban layout and traffic patterns limit sustained high-decibel noise in most districts.

Atlanta’s highways and zoning separate loud industrial or transport hubs from residential areas, resulting in a softer auditory experience. This relatively quiet environment certainly stands out among large US cities.

14. Montreal, Canada

Montreal exemplifies how urban noise can be kept in check. The city’s mix of quieter residential neighborhoods and regulated downtown noise (from construction to traffic and nightlife) helps protect residents’ comfort.

13. Morogoro, Tanzania

The Tanzanian city of Morogoro has an average noise level near 71 dB, which makes it one of the quietest cities on the entire African continent. Morogoro’s low ambient sound is largely thanks to the city’s low population density, which is around 10% that of New York City.

Morogoro achieves a quietness that outperforms many larger cities. Its modest population and slower pace of life help reduce typical city clamor. The result is a tranquil urban atmosphere that aligns with incredibly healthy acoustic levels.

12. Los Angeles, USA

Despite its vast size, Los Angeles averages around 71 dB in ambient noise. This reading is significantly quieter than notoriously loud metropolises like New York City (which sits at around 95 dB). Los Angeles’s sprawling layout and traffic regulations help diffuse noise.

LA’s ambient sound is subdued relative to its population. The city has taken considerable efforts to create extensive highways that disperse traffic, as well as instigating local ordinances that limit excessive vehicle noise.

11. Belgrade, Serbia

In Eastern Europe, Serbia’s capital city has an average ambient noise level of about 70 dB. This places Belgrade among the least noisy major cities globally, which is a noteworthy achievement considering the city has over a million residents.

10. Stockholm, Sweden

Scandinavia has a reputation for quiet urban environments, and this can be seen in Sweden’s capital city, where the average ambient noise sits at around 70 dB. Stockholm has had much success in curbing noise pollution through strict traffic regulations and abundant green spaces in the city.

9. Nairobi, Kenya

The capital city of Kenya stands out as one of Africa's quietest large cities, averaging about 70 dB in ambient noise. This mild noise level is remarkable, especially since the city has a population of around five million.

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands

The capital city of the Netherlands achieves a notably quiet ambiance, which earns it a spot among the world’s top 10 quietest major cities. Despite its tourism and nightlife, Amsterdam’s average noise levels remain constrained at around 70 dB.

7. Lyon, France

The French city of Lyon has an average city-wide noise of around 69 dB, placing it among the world’s quietest urban centers. This level is notably moderate for a large city, thanks to Lyon’s robust infrastructure and noise regulations.

6. Madrid, Spain

Spain’s capital, Madrid, sustains an average noise level of about 69 dB, which is an impressively low figure for a major city with 3.5 million residents. Despite its population and vibrant street life, Madrid’s overall sound levels are restrained.

5. Munich, Germany

For many years, Munich has been highlighted as one of the least noisy large cities in the world, with average noise levels reaching 65 dB. The city’s modern infrastructure (including extensive rail transit and sound-dampening architecture) keeps its ambient noise well-controlled.

4. Vienna, Austria

Vienna is internationally recognized as one of the quietest major cities in the world, with an average sound level of 65 dB. It has even been identified among the top five cities with the least noise pollution. Vienna’s emphasis on public transit and pedestrian zones contributes to its remarkably low urban decibel readings.

3. Oslo, Norway

The third-quietest city in the world is Oslo, with an impressively low average ambient noise level of 65 dB. Effective urban planning and Norway’s strict environmental noise standards keep Oslo’s average sound levels much lower than those of louder global cities.

2. Geneva, Switzerland

The city of Geneva boasts one of the lowest urban noise levels, with residents generally exposed to just 60 dB on average. This level is extraordinary for a cosmopolitan city. Geneva’s strong noise abatement policies and orderly traffic management help keep its sound environment calm and tranquil.

1. Irbid, Jordan

The quietest city in the world can be found in the Middle Eastern nation of Jordan. The city of Irbid registers an average ambient sound level of under 60 dB. This extraordinarily low noise level makes Irbid the quietest major city recorded worldwide.