Census Data: Renters Have Shorter Commutes

According to an analysis by the data research team at Trulia, renters have shorter commutes in 43 of 50 major metros. But despite there being more renters, commutes are still getting longer.

1 minute read

March 4, 2016, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Commuter Traffic

stockfotoart / Shutterstock

It's been a week full of commuter news, as various outlets haven't crunched new data on vehicle miles traveled and commute times. The most recent coverage focuses on increasing commute times for American workers.

Mark Uh summarizes Trulia's analysis of recent U.S. Census commute data: "Since 2009, commute times nationwide have been on the rise. Some of this increase is due to more people commuting, but also some may be due to a shift in where people live."

Uh's interest in the growth in commute times coincides with an interest in the growing number of renters in the country: "we wanted to explore whether the big shift towards renting over the past 10 years has led to shifts in commuting."

Their findings: "renters are far more likely to live closer to work, take public transportation and have shorter commute times than their home-owning counterparts." 

Trulia has created an interactive map showing commute times around the country.

Friday, March 4, 2016 in Trulia

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Large brutalist building and skyscrapers viewed from middle of wide street in downtown Houston, Texas.

Research Links Urban Design and Human Happiness

An emerging field of ‘neuroarchitectural’ research is revealing how building facades and urban design impact the human brain and body.

January 3, 2025 - Wired

Graphic illustrating street with various lanes designed in Streetmix.

Reimagining Your Street

How to use free online tools to redesign your local streetscape.

January 3, 2025 - Urbanism Speakeasy via Substack

Sprawl

Research: Sprawl Linked to Poverty

Low-income families living in high-sprawl neighborhoods are limited in their access to education, jobs, and other amenities, often trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

January 6, 2025 - Science Blog

Aerial view of Olympia, Washington with state cpaitol dome in foreground on a somewhat cloudy day.

Washington Lawmakers Eye Rent Stabilization

Democrats are pushing for a statewide rent stabilization bill that would give renters some protections while offering more flexibility for landlords than blanket rent control policies.

7 hours ago - The Urbanist

Eaton Canyon trailhead in Los Angeles County on a cloudy day.

Wildfires Devastate LA Outdoor Education Spaces and Schools

The current Los Angeles wildfires have destroyed schools and outdoor education spaces like Eaton Canyon, displacing families and disrupting vital learning and community resources while highlighting the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

January 14 - AP News

Close-up of person on bike wearing backpack riding on city street.

Research Affirms Safety of ‘Idaho Stop’

Allowing cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs does not negatively impact safety and can help people on bikes more effectively navigate roadways.

January 14 - Streetsblog California

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.