I bought a C-H compressor (big one, 7 HP, 25 gal tank) to run some air tools in my garage, with the side benefit to run airbrushes with. However, now that I've moved into a new house, my model area is in the basement, and I didn't want to lug the compressor up and down stairs. So, I bought a 7 gallon air tank at Wal-mart, fill that from my compressor, and then run the airbrushes from that. Had to buy another regulator, moisture trap, and air hose, but it cost less than $50 total.
You could probably do the same, and then just fill it from a local gas station. The tank lasts quite a long time, and is completely silent. My spray booth makes more noise.
HTH,
Dan