This map shows modeled outdoor noise across North Valley San Diego 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 3,447 North Valley San Diego residents, or 22.7%, live above that level. By land area, 28.9% of North Valley San Diego is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in North Valley San Diego compares to similar-sized neighborhoods.
Noise by Part of North Valley San Diego
Average noise levels for North Valley San Diego residents, grouped by direction from the center of North Valley San Diego. Eastern North Valley San Diego carries the highest population-weighted average; Central North Valley San Diego carries the lowest. Just 16% of residents in Central North Valley San Diego live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, three-quarters of the share in Eastern North Valley San Diego.
Central North Valley San Diego
16% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern North Valley San Diego
21% of people above 55 dBA
Northern North Valley San Diego
20% of people above 55 dBA
Southern North Valley San Diego
25% of people above 55 dBA
Western North Valley San Diego
29% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern North Valley San Diego sounds about 12% louder than Central North Valley San Diego to the human ear, a 1.6 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 do you need to be?
produces an estimated 60 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 5% of North Valley San Diego sits under tree canopy (lighter than most neighborhoods) and roughly 40% 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.