This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 01056 at 100-meter resolution, combining road, aviation, and rail sources. Green areas measure below 45 dBA. Orange and red exceed the EPA's 55 dBA outdoor threshold linked to long-term health effects. Use the layer toggles to view each source on its own or all together.
What the numbers sound like
- 30 dBAWhisper
- 40 dBASoft rainfall
- 45 dBAQuiet suburban street at night
- 50 dBAQuiet office
- 55 dBAEPA outdoor threshold: light traffic 100 ft away
- 60 dBANormal conversation an arm's length away
- 65 dBABusy restaurant
- 70 dBAHighway traffic 50 ft away
- 80 dBACity bus interior
Population Above the EPA Outdoor Threshold
The EPA's 55 dBA outdoor reference level is a common benchmark for residential noise exposure, especially for activity interference, annoyance, and long-term community noise concerns. About 7,115 01056 residents, or 36.8%, live above that level. By land area, 45.2% of 01056 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 01056 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 01056
Average noise levels for 01056 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 01056. Southern 01056 carries the highest population-weighted average; Northern 01056 carries the lowest. Just 13% of residents in Northern 01056 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a third of the share in Southern 01056.
Central 01056
51% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 01056
24% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 01056
13% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 01056
52% of people above 55 dBA
Western 01056
43% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 01056 sounds about 60% louder than Northern 01056 to the human ear, a 6.8 dBA gap. Every 10 dBA roughly doubles perceived loudness. Within any of these directions, two homes a quarter mile apart can still differ by 10 or more dBA depending on how close they sit to a major highway.
How far back from Massachusetts Tpke do you need to be?
Massachusetts Tpke produces an estimated 75 dBA at its loudest centerline points. Noise drops logarithmically with distance, with the exact rate depending on what's between you and the road. Tree cover, walls, terrain, and pavement type all matter. At roughly a quarter mile back, traffic fades into the noise level of a quiet suburban street at night.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 45% of 01056 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 21% is impervious surface like pavement and rooftops. Both are folded into the per-place decay rate above. Heavier canopy pulls noise down faster with distance; impervious surfaces slow the drop.