HOUSTON — Houston ranked as the noisiest major city in the South and fourth-noisiest nationwide in a recent analysis that examined traffic, aircraft noise, nightlife and other sources of urban noise.
ReSound, a global hearing-aid and audio-solutions manufacturer, analyzed 50 of the largest U.S. cities using eight noise-related factors. Houston scored 37.45 out of 80, placing it first among Southern cities and fourth nationally behind New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.
The analysis considered traffic congestion, aircraft noise, environmental noise, nightlife, live music venues, major sports stadiums and residents’ exposure to transportation noise.
ReSound said Houston’s packed sports calendar contributed to its ranking. The city scored 7.50 out of 10 for major sports stadiums and 6.26 for noise and light pollution.
Atlanta ranked second in the South with a score of 32.28, followed by Miami at 31.66.
Four Texas cities ranked among the South’s 10 noisiest major cities. Dallas placed fifth with a score of 29.62, Austin ranked sixth at 29.25 and San Antonio ranked 10th at 25.33.
ReSound said regular exposure to loud environments from traffic, stadiums, nightlife and live music can place additional strain on hearing over time.
Houston noise complaints
Houston Police Department data also shows thousands of noise-related calls across the city.
HPD recorded 11,678 noise-related calls for service from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2026. About 19% of those calls, or 2,194 complaints, were considered valid. Police issued 36 tickets and filed 107 official reports during that period.
ZIP code 77004, which includes Greater Third Ward, Midtown, the Museum District, the University of Houston and Texas Southern University, recorded the most complaints with 513. Police deemed 114 valid, issued six tickets and filed 11 reports.
ZIP code 77006, covering Montrose, Neartown and parts of Midtown, followed with 342 complaints, including 32 valid complaints.
Other ZIP codes among the 10 with the most noise complaints included 77036 in Sharpstown, Gulfton and Chinatown/Asiatown; 77002 in downtown Houston and the Theater District; and 77007 around Washington Avenue, Rice Military, Buffalo Heights and parts of the Houston Heights.
Spring Branch, the Galleria and Uptown areas, Westchase and Alief, and Acres Homes and Independence Heights also ranked among the ZIP codes with the highest number of complaints during the first half of 2026.