For a long time now, the question How much does a new home cost when you factor in commuting costs? Rotates in our minds. Well, the general consensus among lenders, realtors, and finance experts has been that housing expenses shouldn’t exceed 30 percent of monthly take-home pay. However, this common belief fails to factor in the additional expenditures of transportation associated with relocating. When deciding where to settle down, it’s important to think about how much money and time will be spent each day on the journey. Choosing a house based on its location might save you a lot of time and, money in the long run.
What is the True Cost of Commute Time?
Traveling to and from work can be very expensive for commuters. If you are wondering how much does a new home cost when you factor in commuting costs then we provided the answer for that. So, let us see what is the true cost of commute time:
- The typical commuter spends $12 per day, or $2,600 per year, according to a poll by Citi Thank You, Premier Card.
- However, in some urban areas, those costs may rise significantly. Commuters in Los Angeles, for instance, spend an average of $16 per day, or $3,456 per year, on transportation. For only $11, commutes in Chicago and San Francisco were the cheapest among large cities.
- Transportation costs are also on the rise. The cost of using public transportation rises over time for the same reason that the price of gasoline does.
- If other family members are also making the commute, the total will increase. If everyone takes their own car and goes in different directions, the number of commuters can increase or even triple.
Ever Wondered How Long Average Commute Time is for Commuter?
The time and energy spent on a long commute is wasted and may be better spent with loved ones or enjoying a favourite pastime. A Trulia survey found that the average New York City commute was approximately 35 minutes one way. That works out to 1 hour and 10 minutes daily, or just under 6 hours in a week.
Other major metropolitan areas with exceptionally lengthy commutes are:
- To get to Washington, DC from New York, it takes 33 minutes.
- Times in Newark, NJ (local): 31 mins
- For those in Chicago, the time difference is only 30 seconds.
- 30 minutes in Boston
However, those are only the mean values; many people spend an hour or more each way on their commutes. People from all over, even those living in smaller communities, endure long journeys to get there where the employees are.
Also Read: A Framework For Building a Sustainable Mobility System
How can you Find Out which Areas have Cheapest Commuting Costs?
Here are the ways to find out which areas have the cheapest commuting costs:
- Housing affordability assessments often exclude transportation costs. All of your driving, not just your commute, will add up to transportation expenses including insurance, maintenance, gas, and more.
- Consumers often underestimate the magnitude of transportation costs, which are typically the second-highest after housing costs.
- Love your home, but hate the distance between it and your office? Tough call. Take into account the time and money you will spend commuting.
- Neither your lender nor your real estate agent will likely ask about your commuting expenses. It’s not the be-all-end-all of your budget, but it’s something to consider.
- Ask your real estate agent to look into homes that are in closer proximity to your places of employment as a starting point for your property search. It’s possible you’ll have to give up some personal space in exchange for a shorter travel time.
- Be sure to compare current pricing.
- Spend less with the right mortgage.
- The cost of commuting can add up, but it may be worthwhile to purchase a home that is further from work if it offers a lower cost of living.
- USDA loans, for example, are among the several mortgage options that can save purchasers significant money. Only people who live in “rural” areas (many of which are actually suburbs of major cities) are eligible for the USDA mortgage program.
- Those who opt for a USDA mortgage don’t have to put any money down, and they get access to some of the best rates on the market.
- A USDA mortgage could be the answer for people looking to escape the high cost of city living and move to a more rural area.
