City vs Suburb Transportation Costs

Gas prices are on the way up. It is logical that living in a city would reduce transportation costs compared to living in the suburbs.  You could ride mass transit, walk, or bike to work or to errands and restaurants.

A recent study by the Urban Land Institute quantifies the additional costs incurred in the San Francisco Bay Area by suburbanites. “Bay Area Burden: Examining the costs and impacts of housing and transportation on Bay Area residents, their neighborhoods and the environment.” It shows that there is a disconnect between where people work and where they live resulting in wasted time commuting and money spend on cars and gas.

San Francisco has a household median income of $66,523 and estimated monthly transportation costs of $792.  Moving to suburbs greatly increases transportation costs. Antioch $1311, Livermore $1281, Redwood City $1064, Novato $1246.

They arrived at the figures using block-level census household information and modeling factors such as population density and transportation options.

Live closer to work and you will also increase your happiness.

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Posted on November 17th, 2009
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