New York Tops the List for Most Stressful Commutes

If it feels like commuting in New York is draining your soul, turns out it’s not just you. A new report from Compare the Market ranked all 50 states on how stressful it is to get to and from work, and New York came in dead last. We officially have the most stressful commute in the country.

Why New Yorkers Are So Worn Out

The average commute is 32.8 minutes, which is the longest in the United States. That’s not even counting delays, weather, or packed trains. On top of that, more than 22 percent of workers rely on public transportation, the highest percentage in the country. Remote work does help a bit but only 13 percent of workers here from home in the Empire State.

How Other States Compare

States like Utah, South Dakota, and Nebraska are living a different life. Their average commutes are under 22 minutes, barely anyone uses public transit, and people work from home more often.

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They scored at the top for calm and easy commuting. Meanwhile, Louisiana and West Virginia joined New York at the bottom of the rankings, but even they scored higher than us.

Crowds and Long Rides Take a Toll

The study makes it clear that long ride times, packed trains, and less flexibility add up to daily stress. Public transportation keeps the state moving, but with so many people using it and so few working from home, it creates a perfect storm of delays and burnout.

The combination of long travel times and dependence on transit makes every workday start and end with effort. For some New Yorkers, the commute is the most exhausting part of the job.

If you ever feel like your day starts before you even clock in, the numbers back you up. Thankfully in the Southern Tier, we don't have long commute times.