What is the Average Cost of Commuting in the US?

The True Cost of Commuting

Commuting is no longer solely about getting from A to B; it's a lifeline to opportunity, whether that be work or education. Yet the fact remains that commuting represents a significant financial burden for millions of Americans. Though the cost varies from city to city, and state to state, and is influenced by how you choose to travel; recent studies suggest that annual commuting costs can range anywhere from $2,000-9,000, with some metropolitan cities recording even higher numbers.

Breaking Down The Numbers

The US Chamber of Commerce calculated an average commuting spend of $5,750 p/a, largely made up of gas, vehicle maintenance, parking fees and public transit costs.

A report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on the other hand, shows an average annual commute spend of $8,466 (or roughly 19% of an individual's avg annual income).

Some of the worst metropolitan areas for commuters in the US include Detroit, Atlanta and New York, with the average resident losing 58 hours per year to traffic and spending over $10,000 and 277 hours commuting each year.

The Citi Commuter index gives a more cautious estimate, suggesting an average cost of $2,600 per year for US commuters.  

Regardless of whichever estimate sounds the most “official”, we cannot deny that commuting represents a major time/cost burden for workers across the country. With transit costs continuing to rise and congestion not going (ironically) anywhere fast, the need to find more cost-effective and efficient ways to commute is becoming a top priority for employees and employers alike.

State by State Breakdown

The cost of commuting is, naturally, dramatically different across States. Unanimous data shows West Virginia commuters having the least expensive avg commute, whereas North Dakotans have the most expensive. Metropolitan cities are the exception, with areas like New York City( $11,000) and San Francisco ($12,650) experiencing a significantly higher spend; increased fuel costs, parking fees and lost wages from extended travel contributing to higher expenses.

Want to learn what the average commute spend is in your State? Use the calculator below to find out just how much it would cost you in time and money…

Reducing Your Commuting Costs

For employees and employers, finding a cost effective commuting alternative could be the key to improving financial wellbeing and supporting a healthy work/life balance. Shared transportation, flexible working arrangements, and investment in public transit infrastructure can all contribute to reducing the cost of commuting and reduce the number of individual cars on the road. Zeelo’s fully managed shuttle services provide a reliable and efficient transportation alternative, supporting businesses looking to attract and retain labor while keeping costs down.

Want to explore how Zeelo can help cut down on employee commuting costs? Get in touch today!

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