Commuting Costs Employees Thousands in Lost Time, Study Reveals

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A recent analysis by MyPerfectResume found that the average worker's commuting time costs them $8,158 annually. In pricier metro areas like San Jose and New York City, the time-value cost of commuting is even higher, exceeding $13,000 and $12,000 respectively. Despite some companies pushing for a full return to the office, research suggests that hybrid work schedules may be more beneficial, with workers in hybrid roles found to be just as productive and less likely to quit compared to those working fully in person.

Why it matters

Commuting time has a significant impact on employees' work-life balance and overall well-being. As more companies consider return-to-office policies, understanding the financial and productivity costs of lengthy commutes can help inform decisions around flexible work arrangements.

The details

The analysis by MyPerfectResume is based on data from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It found that the average worker spends 27.6 minutes commuting each way, which translates to over 4.5 hours per week or nearly 240 hours per year spent commuting. Factoring in the average hourly wage, this time spent commuting costs the average worker over $8,000 annually.

• The analysis by MyPerfectResume was recently published.

What’s next

As companies continue to evaluate return-to-office policies, the findings from this study may prompt further research and discussions around the costs and benefits of flexible work arrangements.