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Commute Burden Index (Time & Cost Combined)

Estimate how heavy your commute feels by combining time spent traveling with estimated monthly transport costs. Compare commute burden between cities or use your own commute details.

Based on city averages and simplified cost models

Primary City

Commute Settings

Measure How Heavy Your Commute Feels

Combine time and cost into a single commute burden index. See how much time you lose and what it costs you each month. Optionally compare with another city.

Time Burden
Daily commute time converted to monthly hours lost
Cost Burden
Estimated monthly commute expenses
Combined Index
Overall burden score (0-100 scale)

Note: This tool uses static city averages and simplified cost models. Actual commute times and costs vary by neighborhood, time of day, and transportation mode. For lifestyle planning purposes only.

Last Updated: December 7, 2025

Understanding Commute Burden Index: Time and Cost Combined

The daily commute is one of the most significant factors affecting quality of life, yet it's often overlooked when making relocation or job decisions. The Commute Burden Index helps you understand how heavy your commute feels by combining two critical factors—time spent traveling and estimated monthly transportation costs—into a single 0-100 score. This tool enables students, professionals, researchers, and everyday people to compare commute burden between cities, evaluate job offers, and make informed decisions about where to live and work based on comprehensive transportation analysis.

For students and researchers, this tool demonstrates practical applications of weighted formulas, normalization techniques, and composite scoring systems. The commute burden calculation shows how multiple factors (time and cost) can be combined using weighted averages to create meaningful metrics. Business professionals can use commute burden comparisons to evaluate relocation packages, understand how commute time affects work-life balance, and assess whether higher salaries in cities with longer commutes are worth the trade-off. The tool helps HR professionals and job seekers understand the true cost of commuting beyond just gas money—including time lost, stress, and opportunity costs.

For the common person considering a move or job change, this tool answers fundamental questions: How much time will I spend commuting? How much will it cost? Is the commute burden in one city significantly different from another? The tool personalizes results by allowing you to enter your own commute details (one-way time, days per week, monthly cost) or use city-wide averages for comparison. Taxpayers and budget-conscious individuals can use commute burden data to estimate transportation expenses and understand how commute time affects their daily schedules, energy levels, and overall quality of life.

The Commute Burden Index goes beyond simple time or cost comparisons to provide a holistic view of transportation impact. By weighting time at 60% and cost at 40%, the index reflects research showing that commute time often impacts life satisfaction, stress levels, and health outcomes more significantly than financial costs alone. Whether you're comparing two specific cities, evaluating your current commute, or exploring how different work schedules (3 days/week vs. 5 days/week) affect your burden, this tool serves as your comprehensive guide to understanding how commuting affects your daily life and long-term well-being.

Understanding the Basics

Average One-Way Commute Time

The average one-way commute time represents the typical time it takes to travel from home to work in a given city, measured in minutes. This metric is based on city-wide averages from transportation surveys and census data. For example, New York City averages 41 minutes one-way, while smaller cities like Des Moines, Iowa, average 19 minutes. The tool allows you to use city averages or enter your personal one-way commute time for more accurate calculations. Understanding one-way time is crucial because it directly affects daily round-trip time, monthly hours spent commuting, and overall time burden.

Daily and Monthly Commute Time

Daily commute time is calculated as one-way time multiplied by two (round-trip). Monthly commute time accounts for the number of workdays per week and average weeks per month (approximately 4.33 weeks). For example, if your one-way commute is 30 minutes and you work 5 days per week, your daily round-trip is 60 minutes, and your monthly commute time is approximately 60 minutes × 5 days × 4.33 weeks = 1,299 minutes, or about 21.7 hours per month. This monthly time calculation helps you understand the cumulative impact of commuting—over a year, a 30-minute one-way commute (60 minutes round-trip) adds up to about 260 hours, or nearly 11 full days spent commuting.

Estimated Monthly Transportation Cost

The estimated monthly transportation cost includes fuel, vehicle maintenance, depreciation, parking, insurance, transit fares, tolls, and other commute-related expenses. The tool uses a simplified cost model based on the city's commute cost index (where 50 represents the national average) and your commute time. Cities with higher cost indices (like San Francisco at 88) have more expensive transportation, while cities with lower indices (like Tulsa, Oklahoma at 40) have lower costs. You can override the estimated cost with your actual monthly transportation expenses for more accurate results. Understanding monthly costs helps you budget effectively and compare the financial burden of commuting between cities.

Time Score (0-100)

The Time Score is a normalized metric (0-100) that measures how burdensome your commute time is. A score of 0 represents no commute time (0 minutes daily), while a score of 100 represents extremely long commutes (120 minutes or more daily round-trip). The formula is: Time Score = (Daily Round-Trip Minutes / 120) × 100, capped at 100. For example, a 60-minute daily round-trip commute (30 minutes one-way) results in a Time Score of 50, indicating moderate time burden. A 90-minute daily round-trip results in a Time Score of 75, indicating high time burden. This score helps you understand where your commute time falls on the burden spectrum.

Cost Score (0-100)

The Cost Score is a normalized metric (0-100) that measures how burdensome your commute costs are. A score of 0 represents no commute costs ($0/month), while a score of 100 represents extremely expensive commutes ($600/month or more). The formula is: Cost Score = (Monthly Cost / 600) × 100, capped at 100. For example, a monthly commute cost of $300 results in a Cost Score of 50, indicating moderate cost burden. A monthly cost of $450 results in a Cost Score of 75, indicating high cost burden. This score helps you understand where your commute costs fall on the burden spectrum and enables comparison between cities with different transportation cost structures.

Combined Burden Index (0-100)

The Combined Burden Index is a weighted composite score (0-100) that combines Time Score and Cost Score into a single metric representing overall commute burden. The formula weights time at 60% and cost at 40%, reflecting research showing that commute time often impacts quality of life, stress, and health outcomes more significantly than financial costs alone. The formula is: Combined Burden Index = (Time Score × 0.6) + (Cost Score × 0.4). Higher scores indicate more burdensome commutes. The index is categorized as: Very Low (0-19), Low (20-39), Moderate (40-59), High (60-79), or Very High (80-100). This single metric enables quick comparisons between cities while still providing detailed breakdowns of time and cost components.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use This Tool

Step 1: Enter Your Primary City

Start by entering the name of the city you're interested in evaluating. Type the city name in the "City" field and select the corresponding state from the dropdown menu. The tool includes data for over 120 major US cities with average commute times and cost indices. If your city isn't in the database, the tool will display estimated national average values as a placeholder, but results will be less accurate for specific comparisons.

Step 2: Choose City Averages or Personal Data

Toggle between "Use city averages" and "Enter personal commute details." If you select city averages, the tool uses the city's typical one-way commute time and estimated monthly cost based on regional cost indices. If you select personal data, you can enter your actual one-way commute time (in minutes), days per week you commute, and your monthly transportation cost. Personal data provides more accurate results for your specific situation, while city averages are useful for comparing cities or understanding typical conditions.

Step 3: (Optional) Adjust Days Per Week

If you work a non-traditional schedule (e.g., 3 days per week, 4 days per week), adjust the "Days per week" field. The default is 5 days per week. This adjustment affects monthly calculations—fewer workdays per week means less monthly commute time and lower monthly costs. For example, if you commute 3 days per week instead of 5, your monthly commute time and costs will be approximately 40% lower, which can significantly reduce your commute burden index.

Step 4: (Optional) Add a Comparison City

To compare two cities side-by-side, enter a second city name and state in the "Comparison City" fields. This enables you to see how two cities differ in commute time, costs, time score, cost score, and combined burden index. The comparison view highlights differences in specific metrics, helping you understand trade-offs—for example, one city might have longer commute times but lower costs than another. Note that comparison cities always use city averages, not personal data, to ensure fair comparisons.

Step 5: Review the Results

After clicking "Calculate" or submitting the form, the tool displays comprehensive results including key performance indicators (KPIs), visualizations, and detailed metrics. The KPI section shows the combined burden index, daily commute time, monthly commute hours, and estimated monthly cost at a glance. Visualizations help you understand the data through charts and graphs comparing time and cost components. The detailed results section provides a complete breakdown of all commute metrics for your selected city (and comparison city, if provided).

Step 6: Interpret the Comparison Summary and Takeaways

If you compared two cities, read the comparison summary which explains how the cities differ in overall commute burden and specific metrics. The summary identifies which city has a higher burden index and explains the key differences in time and cost. For example, it might state that "New York has a higher commute burden (75) compared to Des Moines (25). Commuters in New York spend approximately 15 more hours per month on their commute, which adds up to roughly 180 hours per year." The key takeaways section highlights important insights, such as whether time or cost is the bigger driver of burden, and provides actionable information for decision-making.

Formulas and Behind-the-Scenes Logic

Daily and Monthly Commute Time Calculations

The tool calculates daily and monthly commute time from one-way commute time and workdays per week:

Daily Round-Trip Minutes = One-Way Minutes × 2

Monthly Workdays = Days Per Week × 4.33 (average weeks per month)

Monthly Commute Minutes = Daily Round-Trip Minutes × Monthly Workdays

Monthly Commute Hours = Monthly Commute Minutes / 60

The 4.33 multiplier accounts for the average number of weeks per month (52 weeks / 12 months = 4.33). This ensures accurate monthly calculations regardless of the specific month or number of days.

Estimated Monthly Cost Calculation

If you don't provide a monthly cost override, the tool estimates costs using a simplified model based on the city's commute cost index and your commute time:

Base Monthly Cost = $100 (baseline)

Cost Factor = Commute Cost Index / 50 (50 = national average)

Time Factor = Monthly Commute Hours / 40 (40 hours/month = baseline)

Estimated Monthly Cost = Base × (0.5 + 0.5 × Cost Factor) × (0.5 + 0.5 × Time Factor)

This model accounts for both regional cost differences (through the cost index) and time-based expenses (longer commutes typically cost more in fuel, wear, and potential parking). The formula ensures that cities with higher cost indices and longer commute times result in higher estimated costs, while still providing reasonable estimates for comparison purposes.

Time Score and Cost Score Calculations

Both Time Score and Cost Score are normalized to 0-100 scales, where higher scores indicate more burden:

Time Score = min(100, max(0, (Daily Round-Trip Minutes / 120) × 100))

Cost Score = min(100, max(0, (Monthly Cost / 600) × 100))

The Time Score uses 120 minutes (2 hours) daily round-trip as the maximum burden threshold, while the Cost Score uses $600/month as the maximum. These thresholds represent extremely burdensome commutes based on typical US patterns. Scores are clamped between 0 and 100 to ensure they remain within the valid range.

Combined Burden Index Calculation

The Combined Burden Index weights time at 60% and cost at 40%, then clamps the result to 0-100:

Combined Burden Index = min(100, max(0, (Time Score × 0.6) + (Cost Score × 0.4)))

The 60/40 weighting reflects research showing that commute time often impacts quality of life, stress levels, sleep, exercise, and health outcomes more significantly than financial costs alone. However, the exact weighting can vary based on individual circumstances—someone with financial constraints might weight cost more heavily, while someone with time constraints might weight time more heavily.

Worked Example: New York vs. Des Moines

Let's calculate the commute burden for New York, New York, using sample data:

New York Commute Data:

  • Average One-Way Minutes: 41
  • Commute Cost Index: 85
  • Days Per Week: 5

Time Calculations:

Daily Round-Trip = 41 × 2 = 82 minutes

Monthly Workdays = 5 × 4.33 = 21.65 days

Monthly Minutes = 82 × 21.65 = 1,775 minutes

Monthly Hours = 1,775 / 60 = 29.6 hours

Cost Calculation:

Cost Factor = 85 / 50 = 1.7

Time Factor = 29.6 / 40 = 0.74

Estimated Monthly Cost = $100 × (0.5 + 0.5 × 1.7) × (0.5 + 0.5 × 0.74)

= $100 × 1.35 × 0.87 = $117.45 ≈ $117

Score Calculations:

Time Score = (82 / 120) × 100 = 68.3 ≈ 68

Cost Score = (117 / 600) × 100 = 19.5 ≈ 20

Combined Burden Index = (68 × 0.6) + (20 × 0.4) = 40.8 + 8 = 48.8 ≈ 49

New York Combined Burden Index: 49/100 (Moderate)

Now let's compare with Des Moines, Iowa:

Des Moines Commute Data:

  • Average One-Way Minutes: 19
  • Commute Cost Index: 40
  • Days Per Week: 5

Time Calculations:

Daily Round-Trip = 19 × 2 = 38 minutes

Monthly Hours = (38 × 21.65) / 60 = 13.7 hours

Cost Calculation:

Cost Factor = 40 / 50 = 0.8

Time Factor = 13.7 / 40 = 0.34

Estimated Monthly Cost = $100 × (0.5 + 0.5 × 0.8) × (0.5 + 0.5 × 0.34)

= $100 × 0.9 × 0.67 = $60.30 ≈ $60

Score Calculations:

Time Score = (38 / 120) × 100 = 31.7 ≈ 32

Cost Score = (60 / 600) × 100 = 10

Combined Burden Index = (32 × 0.6) + (10 × 0.4) = 19.2 + 4 = 23.2 ≈ 23

Des Moines Combined Burden Index: 23/100 (Low)

New York's higher burden index (49 vs. 23) reflects its longer commute times (82 minutes daily vs. 38 minutes) and higher costs ($117/month vs. $60/month). The difference of 26 points demonstrates how commute burden can vary significantly between cities. New York's Time Score (68) is the primary driver of its burden, while Des Moines has a much lower Time Score (32), resulting in a lower overall burden despite similar cost score proportions. This example shows how the weighted formula balances time and cost to produce meaningful comparisons.

Practical Use Cases

Student Research Project: Commute Time Impact on Quality of Life

A student studying urban planning needs to analyze how commute burden affects quality of life across different cities. They use the tool to compare New York (49 burden index, 82 minutes daily, $117/month) with Des Moines (23 burden index, 38 minutes daily, $60/month). The tool reveals that New York commuters spend approximately 16 more hours per month commuting than Des Moines commuters, which adds up to 192 hours per year—nearly 8 full days. The student calculates that this time difference could be spent on sleep, exercise, family time, or hobbies, supporting their research on how transportation infrastructure affects well-being and supporting their thesis on sustainable city design.

Professional Relocation: Evaluating Job Offers with Different Commutes

A software engineer receives job offers in San Francisco, California, and Austin, Texas. They use the tool to compare commute burden, knowing that commute time affects work-life balance and daily stress. San Francisco shows 34 minutes one-way (68 minutes daily), $180/month estimated cost, and a burden index of 58. Austin shows 26 minutes one-way (52 minutes daily), $95/month estimated cost, and a burden index of 42. The engineer enters their personal commute details (they'll live 15 minutes from the Austin office but 45 minutes from the San Francisco office due to housing costs). With personal data, Austin's burden drops to 28 (low), while San Francisco's rises to 72 (high). This comparison helps them understand the true cost of the higher San Francisco salary when factoring in commute time and stress.

Researcher: Studying Commute Burden and Economic Factors

A researcher studying the relationship between commute burden and housing costs uses the tool to analyze multiple cities. They compare cities with high housing costs (San Francisco, New York) against cities with lower costs (Des Moines, Tulsa) to understand trade-offs. The tool reveals that cities with shorter commutes often have higher housing costs near job centers, while cities with longer commutes may offer more affordable housing in suburbs. The researcher uses the burden index formula to understand how time and cost components contribute to overall burden, supporting their academic work on urban economics and transportation policy.

Common Person: Planning a Move to Reduce Commute Burden

A person currently commuting 60 minutes one-way (120 minutes daily) in Los Angeles wants to reduce their commute burden. They use the tool to compare their current city with potential relocation destinations: San Diego (26 minutes one-way, burden index 35), Phoenix (27 minutes one-way, burden index 38), and Denver (25 minutes one-way, burden index 32). They enter their personal commute details, adjusting for their planned work location in each city. The tool shows that moving to any of these cities would significantly reduce their burden index from 75 (high) to around 30-35 (low), saving approximately 15-20 hours per month in commute time. This analysis helps them prioritize cities that offer both job opportunities and lower commute burden.

Tax Payer: Estimating Annual Transportation Costs for Budget Planning

A taxpayer considering a move wants to estimate annual transportation costs to budget accurately. They compare their current city (Chicago: 35 minutes one-way, $140/month estimated) with a potential new city (Milwaukee: 23 minutes one-way, $85/month estimated). The tool reveals that moving to Milwaukee would save approximately $55/month ($660/year) in transportation costs and reduce daily commute time by 24 minutes (48 minutes round-trip), which adds up to about 10 hours per month or 120 hours per year. The taxpayer calculates that the lower commute burden in Milwaukee, combined with potentially lower housing costs, makes the move financially attractive, helping them make an informed relocation decision.

Hybrid Worker: Evaluating How Work Schedule Affects Commute Burden

A hybrid worker who commutes 3 days per week wants to understand how their schedule affects commute burden compared to a traditional 5-day schedule. They use the tool to compare their current situation (30 minutes one-way, 3 days/week, personal cost $120/month) with a hypothetical 5-day schedule. With 3 days/week, their monthly commute time is approximately 13 hours and burden index is 28 (low). With 5 days/week, their monthly commute time would be approximately 21.7 hours and burden index would be 42 (moderate). The tool shows that their hybrid schedule reduces monthly commute time by about 8.7 hours and lowers their burden index by 14 points, demonstrating the significant impact of remote work on commute burden.

Understanding Time vs. Cost Trade-offs: Why Two Cities Have Similar Scores

A user notices that San Francisco (burden index 58) and Los Angeles (burden index 55) have similar overall scores but wants to understand the differences. The tool reveals that San Francisco has a higher Time Score (68) but a lower Cost Score (35), while Los Angeles has a moderate Time Score (55) and a moderate Cost Score (55). San Francisco's longer average commute times (34 minutes one-way) drive its higher time burden, while Los Angeles has more balanced time and cost components. The user learns that similar overall scores can mask significant differences in specific components, and understanding these trade-offs helps them identify which factors matter most for their personal situation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Neighborhood-Level Variation Within Cities

The tool provides city-wide averages, but actual commute times vary dramatically within cities based on your specific neighborhood, employer location, work hours, and transportation mode. A person living in Manhattan and working in Midtown might have a 15-minute commute, while someone living in Queens and working in Manhattan might have a 45-minute commute—both in New York City. Don't assume the entire city has uniform commute conditions. If you're considering a specific neighborhood, research local commute patterns separately or use the personal data mode with your actual commute details.

Treating Estimated Costs as Exact Expenses

The estimated monthly cost is a simplified model based on city cost indices and commute time. Actual costs vary significantly based on whether you drive, use public transit, bike, walk, or use a combination of modes. Driving costs include fuel, maintenance, depreciation, parking, insurance, and tolls, while transit costs include fares and potential parking at transit stations. If you know your actual monthly transportation expenses, always override the estimate with your personal data for more accurate results. The estimate is useful for comparisons but shouldn't be treated as a precise prediction.

Focusing Only on Overall Burden Index Without Examining Components

The combined burden index is useful for quick comparisons, but it can mask important differences. Two cities might have similar overall scores but differ significantly in time vs. cost components—one might have longer commute times but lower costs, while another has shorter times but higher costs. Always examine individual metrics (time score, cost score, daily minutes, monthly cost) to understand what contributes to the overall score and which factors matter most to you. If time is more valuable to you than money, prioritize cities with lower time scores even if cost scores are higher.

Not Adjusting for Non-Traditional Work Schedules

The default assumption is 5 days per week, but many people work hybrid schedules (2-4 days per week) or non-traditional schedules. If you don't adjust the "Days per week" field, your monthly calculations will be inaccurate. A 3-day workweek reduces monthly commute time and costs by approximately 40% compared to a 5-day workweek, which can significantly lower your burden index. Always enter your actual work schedule to get accurate results that reflect your personal situation.

Using City Averages When You Have Personal Commute Data

City averages are useful for comparing cities or understanding typical conditions, but they're less accurate for your specific situation. If you know your actual one-way commute time, days per week, and monthly transportation costs, always use the personal data mode. Personal data provides more accurate burden calculations because it reflects your actual commute rather than city-wide averages that may not apply to your specific neighborhood, employer location, or transportation mode.

Assuming Traffic Conditions Are Constant

Commute times represent typical weekday averages, but actual conditions vary daily based on traffic, weather, accidents, construction, and special events. A city with a 30-minute average commute might have 20-minute commutes on good days and 50-minute commutes on bad days. The tool doesn't capture this variability, so use the averages as typical expectations rather than guarantees. If you're particularly sensitive to commute time variability, consider cities with more reliable transportation options (e.g., public transit with dedicated lanes) that are less affected by traffic.

Making Relocation Decisions Based Solely on Commute Burden

Commute burden is important, but it's just one factor in choosing where to live and work. Don't make relocation decisions based solely on commute data without considering housing costs, salary levels, job opportunities, climate, schools, healthcare access, family proximity, crime rates, and other quality-of-life factors. A city with higher commute burden might be acceptable if it offers better job opportunities, higher salaries, or other benefits that outweigh the commute cost. Use commute burden as one component of a comprehensive evaluation, not the sole deciding factor.

Advanced Tips & Strategies

Compare Time vs. Cost Components to Identify Trade-offs

When comparing cities with similar overall burden scores, examine the time and cost components separately. A city with a higher time score but lower cost score might be preferable if you value time more than money, while a city with a lower time score but higher cost score might be better if you have financial constraints. Understanding these trade-offs helps you identify which cities align with your personal priorities, even when overall scores are similar.

Use Personal Data Mode for Accurate Individual Assessments

If you know your actual commute details (one-way time, days per week, monthly cost), always use the personal data mode rather than city averages. Personal data provides more accurate burden calculations because it reflects your specific situation rather than city-wide averages that may not apply to your neighborhood, employer location, or transportation mode. This is especially important if you're evaluating your current commute or planning a move to a specific neighborhood.

Factor in Work Schedule Flexibility When Evaluating Burden

If you have flexibility in your work schedule (e.g., can work 3 days per week instead of 5, or can adjust hours to avoid peak traffic), adjust the "Days per week" field to see how this affects your burden. A hybrid schedule can significantly reduce monthly commute time and costs, lowering your burden index. This analysis helps you understand the value of flexible work arrangements and can inform negotiations with employers about remote work or flexible schedules.

Consider Transportation Mode When Interpreting Costs

The estimated monthly cost is a simplified model that doesn't distinguish between driving, public transit, biking, or walking. If you plan to use public transit, your actual costs might be lower than the estimate (transit passes are often cheaper than driving). If you plan to drive, your costs might be higher (parking, tolls, fuel). Always override the cost estimate with your actual monthly expenses if you know them, especially if you're comparing different transportation modes or have specific cost data.

Research Neighborhood-Level Commute Patterns for Specific Locations

After using the tool to identify cities with favorable overall commute burden, research commute patterns for specific neighborhoods within those cities. Use mapping tools, local transportation websites, or talk to residents to understand actual commute times from specific neighborhoods to job centers. This neighborhood-level research helps you make more accurate assessments, as city-wide averages may not reflect conditions in your specific area of interest.

Combine Commute Burden with Other City Insights Tools

Use this tool in conjunction with other city insights tools like cost of living calculators, tax burden comparisons, climate comfort indices, and crime risk comparisons. A city with lower commute burden but higher cost of living or higher crime rates might not be ideal. Create a comprehensive city evaluation by combining multiple metrics, ensuring that commute burden is balanced with other important factors that affect your quality of life, financial well-being, and safety.

Calculate Annual Time and Cost Savings for Long-Term Planning

When comparing cities, calculate annual differences in commute time and costs. A 15-minute daily difference (30 minutes round-trip) adds up to approximately 130 hours per year—nearly 5.5 full days. A $50/month cost difference adds up to $600/year. These annual calculations help you understand the long-term impact of commute burden and can inform decisions about whether a higher salary in a city with higher burden is worth the trade-off. Use the monthly metrics provided by the tool and multiply by 12 to get annual values.

Sources & References

The data and methodologies used in this tool are informed by authoritative sources on commuting patterns, transportation costs, and urban mobility:

  • U.S. Census Bureau - Commuting Characteristics: census.gov/topics/employment/commuting - Official data on commute times, modes of transportation, and commuting patterns across US metropolitan areas.
  • Bureau of Transportation Statistics: bts.gov - Comprehensive transportation statistics including commute costs, vehicle miles traveled, and transportation expenditures.
  • American Community Survey (ACS): census.gov/programs-surveys/acs - Annual survey data on commute times, transportation modes, and work-from-home patterns.
  • Texas A&M Transportation Institute - Urban Mobility Report: mobility.tamu.edu/umr - Research on traffic congestion, commute delays, and transportation costs in US cities.
  • AAA - Driving Costs: aaa.com/autorepair/articles - Annual studies on vehicle ownership and operating costs used for transportation cost estimates.
Reviewed by travel & finance professionals
Last updated: December 2025
Based on APTA and DOT transit data

For Educational Purposes Only - Not Professional Advice

This calculator provides estimates for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute travel, financial, legal, or professional advice. Results are based on the information you provide and general guidelines that may not account for your individual circumstances. Costs, fees, and regulations change frequently. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or transportation planner for advice specific to your situation. Information should be verified with official APTA.com sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about commute burden metrics, data sources, and how to use this tool for relocation planning.

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Commute Burden Index — Time and Cost Combined by City | 2025 | EverydayBudd