Should You Move for a Shorter Work Commute?

Thinking of moving for a shorter work commute? We don’t blame you. It’s no secret that long work commutes cause unnecessary stress, health problems and financial woes. Unfortunately, as crowded cities continue to grow, these time-consuming commutes only seem to be getting longer. NPR reports that “the average American’s commute inched up to 26.9 minutes from 26.6 minutes the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey.”

Unfortunately, these long work commutes often have a negative impact on the average commuter. Financially speaking, commuters may have to spend their hard-earned money on gasoline, public transportation, parking and car insurance – and that’s just the beginning. Health-wise, long commutes can also impact a commuter’s overall sense of well-being and personal health. In fact, CNN reports that commuters in the UK actually end up adding nearly 800 calories to their weekly diets because of what they eat while commuting to work. In addition, long commutes cause unnecessary stress. Whether it’s traffic jams or crowded buses, the stress from traveling long distances surrounded by strangers is felt by millions of Americans every day.

However, not everyone gets stressed out by a long work commute. In fact, many commuters find that their long commutes actually help them decompress after a hard day at work. Others don’t mind the long commutes so long as they get to live where they like.

Still unsure whether you should move for a shorter work commute? We recommend asking yourself these six questions first.

Questions to ask yourself before moving for a shorter work commute

Are you saving a good amount of money by commuting?

Does your employer cover part or all of the financial costs of commuting?

Does it make financial sense to move closer to the office?

How important is it for you to live close to the office?

Do you need to live far away from the office for family reasons?

Is your health negatively affected by the work commute?

How can I enjoy my long work commute?

If a short work commute is simply out of the question, then you’ll need to come up with ways to enjoy – or at least tolerate – the commute to the office. Several ideas include:

Listening to Podcasts.
Developing a music playlist for the commute.
Carpooling with a friend.
De-stressing and meditating using mobile apps.
Reading a book or listening to an audiobook.

Where do people enjoy the best work commutes?

So you’d like to move to a place with a short work commute, but you’re not sure where. Fortunately, U.S. News ranked states based on the average time it took a commuter to get to work. According to the research, states with the best work commutes include North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Iowa, Alaska, Idaho and Utah. For more information about each of these state’s average work commutes, check here.

Ready to move for a better work commute?

If you’re looking to learn more about a certain city in these states, check out Moving.com’s City Profile Report feature. Our reports include city demographics, real estate, economic makeup and quality of life factors. Simply enter the zip code or the state and city of your potential move, and get a free report at the click of a button. Think you want to make one of these cities your new home? You’ll need the right moving company for the job. Check out Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers – all licensed and insured. Good luck and happy moving!