If you’ve ever toured a home near a busy airport and wondered whether the overhead noise might affect resale value, new research says the answer is yes — and more than many people realize.

A recent working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research looked at changing flight paths, rising noise levels, and the sales data of nearby homes. The takeaway was clear: as airplane noise increases, home prices tend to dip.

The researchers found that even a small rise in noise exposure can nudge prices downward. A one-decibel increase in average noise can reduce a home’s value by roughly 0.6% to 1%. While that might sound minor on paper, the numbers add up quickly — especially in markets where median prices hover in the $400,000 range.

Interestingly, homes in quieter neighborhoods are more vulnerable to this shift. Noise levels below 40 decibels don’t appear to affect pricing much, but once ambient noise rises above that threshold — particularly when flights frequently exceed 60 decibels — buyers start to expect a discount. Higher-income households were also more sensitive to noise overall, placing a higher premium on peaceful surroundings.

The study even found regional differences. Among the cities analyzed, Seattle homeowners valued quiet the most, with many willing to pay several thousand dollars to return to normal ambient noise levels. Boston and Chicago residents also placed value on noise reduction, though to a lesser degree.

This post was based on information found on Puget Sound Business Journal.