When calculating daily driving costs, most people focus on fuel consumption and distance. However, commuting patterns are shaped by more than mileage. Commute time, housing pressure and income levels all influence how distance affects household budgets.
Below is a comparison of the five largest U.S. cities by population: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix.
Commute Time Across the Largest U.S. Cities
- New York, NY – 40 minutes
- Los Angeles, CA – 31 minutes
- Chicago, IL – 33 minutes
- Houston, TX – 27 minutes
- Phoenix, AZ – 26 minutes