Americans Are Increasingly Commuting Greater Distances to Reach Their Jobs
The New Commute: A Shift in Distance and Lifestyle
In a profound transformation triggered by recent global events, the American workforce has dramatically altered its relationship with distance. Research indicates that the average worker now finds themselves living nearly three times farther from their workplace than they did pre-pandemic, moving from a mere 10 miles in 2019 to a staggering 27 miles in 2023.
Behind the Numbers: A Comprehensive Study
This eye-opening analysis comes from a study by Gusto, a payroll software giant, in collaboration with the Stanford WFH Group, which has been closely monitoring remote work trends. By examining payroll data from around 5,800 small to midsize businesses spanning from 2018 to 2023, they meticulously mapped out the geographical shifts of employees in relation to their employers.
The Pandemic's Impact on Distance
The findings reveal a notable trend: the distance has been especially pronounced for those who began their employment journeys after March 2020. For this new wave of hires, the average distance to the employer ballooned to 35 miles by December 2023, more than doubling the distance of workers recruited prior to the pandemic.
Remote Work Revolution: A Shift in Habits
While the data does not explicitly confirm that those living farther away are predominantly benefiting from hybrid or remote arrangements, it aligns with extensive research by the Stanford WFH Group, highlighting the pandemic's transformative effect on work environments. Prior to this major shift, only 7% of paid workdays were spent at home; however, by February 2023, that figure had jumped to 28% of workdays.
Reimagining Living Spaces
This newfound flexibility in work location has liberated many individuals from the constraints of daily commuting, enabling them to reside further from their jobs or pursue opportunities that once seemed out of reach. According to Jose Maria Barrero, a finance professor at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and a contributor to the Stanford WFH Group, this trend led people to seek out larger homes conducive to home office setups during the pandemic.
Where Workers Now Live
The repercussions of these changes are evident: the proportion of workers located “uncommutable” distances from their jobs has significantly increased. By the end of 2023, 5.5% of employees lived over 50 miles from their employers, a considerable rise from just 0.8% in 2019. Notably, certain sectors exhibit even steeper increases; in the tech industry, over 20% of professionals are now situated 100 miles or more from their workplaces.
The Future of Remote Work
As Barrero points out, the trend of employees living far from their designated work locations necessitates a fully remote work arrangement. This research reveals a striking connection between those with the greatest interest in remote work opportunities and their living situations, suggesting a shifting landscape in employee expectations and working conditions.
