Is steam heat noisy?
Either system is quiet if installed and maintained correctly. Steam heat could become more noisy if the system is not maintained properly. There were 2 distinct steam systems employed for heating using either the older 1 pipe system or the slightly newer 2 pipe steam system. Of the 2sysyems the 1 pipe system always made more noise than the 2 pipe system. A hot water system should  be dead quiet if installed correctly. Even the noise of the water flow does not have to be there. I have seen all types and installed many. My choice would be hot water for my home however steam was my life and love.