Where Would Workers Save the Most Money by Working From Home?
Andrew Koole
· 3 min read
Opinions about working from home are a mixed bag. Some prefer the work/life balance they can maintain more easily when working from an office, while others are happy to work from their home office or the kitchen table instead of sitting in a cubicle all day.
But one irrefutable pro for working remotely is the cost. According to data analyzed by
Jerry
, the average American spends nearly $4,600 per year commuting to work. In New York, the most expensive state for commuters, that average climbs to $7,200 a year.As things return to normal, many are splitting their workweek between the office and home, but people who fully commit to eliminating their commutes can save the most. Going carless and working during the saved commuting time save Americans an average of over $6,000 per year.
Why do commuting costs change so much from region to region?
Commuting in
New York
is more expensive than anywhere else in the country, but not for the reasons you might think. While congestion and commuting times play a role in the additional costs, the biggest factor is the cost of owning a car in the first place.Price tags for cars don’t change that much from region to region, but car insurance rates fluctuate dramatically. In California, another state known for its large cities and traffic congestion, the average annual premium for
car insurance
is $1,835. In New York, it’s $4,546. Anyone able to transition to a full work-from-home schedule and do without a car in New York can keep that money in their pockets. If they use that extra time for working, their possible savings can surpass $10,000 per year—and that’s based on
minimum wage
earnings.MORE: How Will Remote Work Impact Rush Hour Traffic Long-Term?
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
What other regions are great for working from home?
New York has by far the most potential savings for people who can work from home. But other states have some pretty significant potential savings, too.
Maryland is the second most expensive place in the country to commute, with an average cost of $5,861 per year. Working from home and not owning a car can save minimum-wage workers in Maryland up to $9,225 a year.
Those savings aren’t quite as high as they can be in
Washington, D.C.
, where workers can save up to $9,256 every year by working remotely and going carless. This thanks in part to a $15 minimum wage helping the opportunity cost of working during those hours you previously spent commuting. New Jersey residents could save up to $9,124 a year from the lifestyle change.Other ways to save money by working from home
Many people who were forced to work from home at the beginning of the pandemic are transitioning to a combination of clocking in at their traditional workplaces and completing tasks from home. For them, selling their cars isn’t an option.
But the increased flexibility of the workweek can still save people a lot of money. The most effective thing you can do is shop around for an insurance policy that matches your new lifestyle. The best way to do that is with Jerry.
Jerry is your ultra-talented car insurance broker for life. No need to sit across from him at a desk—Jerry is an app! It takes less than a minute to sign up and you’ll be presented with competitive rates from 50+ top providers. Don’t lose coverage, find savings with Jerry.
.jpg&w=64&q=75){kind=avatar}
