1/ Today we look at how commute time relates to work satisfaction across major cities, and the pattern is clear. As commute time increases, satisfaction tends to decrease. This relationship has become even more relevant in the era of remote work.
2/ Cities with shorter commute times show noticeably higher satisfaction scores. Amsterdam, for example, has a commute of 28 / minutes paired with a satisfaction score of 7.8. Berlin follows with 34 / and 7.3, while Sydney and Singapore stay relatively strong at 39 / and 6.9, and 42 / and 6.8. These numbers suggest that shorter daily travel contributes to better overall work experience.
3/ In the middle range, cities like Toronto and New York sit around 41 / and 6.7, and 43 / and 6.6. London at 47 / and 6.4 shows the beginning of a more noticeable drop. While these values are still moderate, they indicate that longer commutes gradually reduce satisfaction, even before reaching extreme levels.
4/ The lowest satisfaction levels appear in cities with the longest commute times. Seoul at 54 / and 6.1, Tokyo at 58 / and 5.9, Bangkok at 61 / and 5.6, and Manila at 63 / and 5.4 highlight this trend. These figures reinforce how extended travel time can negatively impact daily well-being and productivity.
5/ Remote work directly addresses this issue. By removing or reducing commute time, employees regain hours each week that can be used for rest, productivity, or personal activities. However, not all roles can transition fully to remote setups, and some workers still value in-person collaboration. Even so, the data suggests a clear takeaway. Reducing commute time, whether through remote work or flexible arrangements, is one of the most effective ways to improve work satisfaction.
Dataset
Data Sources
OECD Better Life Index.
Commute time statistics and work-life balance indicators.
https://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/
Gallup Workplace.
Employee engagement and job satisfaction data.
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/
World Bank.
Urban transport and mobility indicators.
https://data.worldbank.org/
