This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 93905 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 25,948 93905 residents, or 43.3%, live above that level. By land area, 52.0% of 93905 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 93905 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 93905
Average noise levels for 93905 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 93905. The highest population-weighted average is in southwestern 93905; the lowest is in eastern 93905, where just 16% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a third of the share in the loudest section.
Southwestern 93905
63% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 93905
70% of people above 55 dBA
Central 93905
42% of people above 55 dBA
Northwestern 93905
16% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 93905
16% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in southwestern 93905 sounds about 91% louder than in eastern 93905, a 9.3 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 US Hwy 101 do you need to be?
US Hwy 101 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 soft rainfall.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 1% of 93905 sits under tree canopy (much lighter than most zip codes) and roughly 54% 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.