New York Workers Spend Nearly 30 Days a Year Commuting

Did you know that working in an office can cost more than gas? Recent research shows that American office workers spend an average of $6,736 a year to work in person. That includes commuting, parking, daily food, coffee, and childcare.

New York Commutes Take More Time

American office workers average 184 hours of commuting each year. In New York, workers spend about 236 hours traveling to and from work each year. That comes to almost 30 workdays that you would spend commuting.

Getting Ready Also Takes Time

Workers said they spend about 43 more minutes getting ready for a day at the office than on a day at home. This would include dressing and packing food. That adds up to another 17 workdays a year.

New York Fares Better Than Some Cities

Going to the office can cost New York workers over 7 percent of the average local salary. New York had one of the smallest shares spent on office costs. San Jose was lowest at 6 percent, while Orlando was highest at nearly 12 percent.

Small Costs Quickly Add Up

The study found that commuting is the largest office expense, averaging $2,751 a year. Food and coffee bought during office days cost an average of $2,598 a year. More than half said office costs increased in the past year.

Workers Should Look at the Full Cost

The study suggests workers should consider travel time, meals, and parking when comparing jobs. A larger paycheck may still not go as far when a job requires more days in the office.