The Real Cost of Living Near an Airport: Could a Cheaper Home End Up Costing You More?

The federal shutdown has disrupted air travel, and while major airports are still facing a host of problems, some airspace closures have made things quieter than usual in certain neighborhoods. Quiet enough, in fact, that you might start wondering what it’s like to buy a home near an airport.

When normal flight operations resume, so will the typical challenges of living near the runway—noise, traffic, and potential air quality issues.

While there are pitfalls to buying a home near an airport, there are also plenty of particularly appealing perks if you’re an avid traveler.

Once air travel ramps up again, it’s up to you to decide whether the conveniences outweigh the compromises. 

The benefits of buying a home by an airport

The upsides of living close to an airport can be greater than the downsides, if you travel often for work or pleasure. You may be able to cut your commute and make it to the airport in minutes instead of hours.

“I live within a mile of Albany International Airport, in New York. It’s a smaller airport but instead of having to leave hours in advance, I can leave an hour out, find parking, and get through TSA pre-check with enough time to stop at Starbucks,” says Jeffrey Decatur, broker associate at Re/Max Capital in Latham, NY.

Lauren Burdine, a homeowner from San Diego can’t imagine not living close to the airport. She feels more inclined to take trips, particularly quick weekend getaways because the drive to the airport is never a stress. In fact, it's the last thing she thinks about on travel days.

“Being just five minutes from the terminal is such a luxury. I have so many friends who have missed flights due to unexpected traffic. That's never something I have to worry about, and it makes a huge difference in how relaxed travel days can feel,” explains Burdine.

Obviously, this is a fairly unique case, but there are other advantages to living in a high-traffic area. Residing near an airport also means easy access to rental car facilities, 24-hour gas stations, a slew of fast food restaurants, and hotels and convention centers.

But the most attractive reason to live near an airport is that you might score a deal just by choosing a property near the runway.

“Those properties below or along the flight paths are always discounted between 5% to 15% compared to similar properties in noise-free zones, hence offering a great entry point for those who are noise tolerant,” says Eric Field, founder and real estate expert at Big Door Home Buyers in Wheeling, IL.

The drawbacks of living by an airport

Living near an airport is far from perfect. While you might get a good deal, if you go this route, you'll have to accept noise, traffic, air quality issues, and potential challenges with resale. 

“The noise and rumbling when a plane takes off in certain directions can be distracting. Also, traffic can be a challenge during rush hour or when a couple of planes land,” said Decatur. While you might get used to these inconveniences, they’re certainly worth considering.

Field emphasizes the fact that homes in areas downwind of runways usually have poor air quality due to the fuel particulates that are emitted from the planes.

“This is an extremely important consideration for families with children or those with respiratory problems,” explains Field.

Additionally, some projects, such as major renovations or planting tall trees may be off limits due to safety concerns, according to Fields. If you have your eye on a fixer-upper, these restrictions could hinder your plans.

And in the end, if you decide that the home just isn't right for you, you may have a hard time off-loading it.

“When it comes to appreciation, a home near an airport may take more time to increase in value due to the noise and environmental concerns—even if it’s situated in a stable, safe neighborhood,” says Field.

How to decide if a home near a runway is worth it

At the end of the day, whether buying a home by the airport is a good idea comes down to your lifestyle and preferences. 

Before you make an offer, Field encourages you to take the following steps.

Visit the home at different times

A home visit once in the afternoon is inadequate.

“Go there in the morning, early flight takeoff, 6:00 a.m.; or late flight arrival, 9:00 p.m.; or on Sundays, with the highest flight time to observe the noise in the backyard,” suggests Field.

Verify the official noise contour map

Each major airport has its own noise contour map approved by the FAA, showing flight paths with the highest noise levels. The map will help verify if the home is located in the noise areas. 

Talk to neighbors

Ask current residents questions, such as how they feel about the noise and traffic. Their insights can give you a better idea of what it would be like to actually live there.

Think about how often you travel

If you don’t fly a lot, the convenience of living by the airport might be minimal. However, if you’re a frequent flyer, it can be a real game changer that saves you a great deal of time and hassle.