High home prices near urban cores is pushing people further away, but they still have to get to work.
The Huffington Post reports that the number of super commuters, people who travel at least 90 minutes to work one-way, increased in 40 states between 2010 and 2015. Rising home and rent prices make it difficult for the working class, particularly teachers and police officers, to afford homes near where they work in major markets including San Francisco and New York City. So, they move to a distant suburb where homes are cheaper and the commute is much longer.
Also, telecommuting makes it easier for people in some office professions to work from home, so they do not have to trek to the office everyday.
Though super commuting is becoming more common, it’s still rare for people with extensive hikes to work.
People with 90-minute commutes still represent a small share of commuters — ranging from 1 percent in Nebraska to nearly 6 percent in New York. But analysts say the spike in long trips reflects several broader trends in the economy.
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