Wisconsin commuters spend $5,171 a year getting to work, report shows
Every morning, people across Wisconsin hop in their vehicles and begin their journeys to work. But how much does that trip actually cost?
A report by Opus Virtual Offices used Census Bureau data to calculate the price residents pay for that morning commute.
"Most people can tell you their salary to the dollar and have no idea what the journey to work costs them," said Opus Virtual Offices CEO Yori Galel. "It is the largest unpriced line in working life, and once a number is put on it the argument for making that journey five days a week gets very hard to win."
The average cost of a Wisconsin commute was $5,171 a year, which ranks 35th in the country. None of Wisconsin's 67 counties ranked among the top 100 most expensive nationwide.
More: Traffic delays have gotten worse in Milwaukee, a new report finds
St. Croix County: $7,348 at 216 hours a year
Washington County: $6,980 at 211.2 hours a year
Ozaukee County: $6,787 at 182.4 hours a year
Waukesha County: $6,772 at 180.8 hours a year
Polk County: $6,623 at 238.4 hours a year
Ashland County: $3,681 at 142.4 hours a year
Door County: $3,775 at 135.2 hours a year
Eau Claire County: $3,964 at 143.2 hours a year
La Crosse County: $4,069 at 149.6 hours a year
Barron County: $4,133 at 167.2 hours a year
More: Forbes ranks Wisconsin's top employers, from Harley to Kwik Trip
Falls Church city, Virginia: $13,639 at 229.6 hours a year
San Francisco County, California: $13,619 at 243.2 hours a year
Calvert County, Maryland: $13,362 at 314.4 hours a year
Elbert County, Colorado: $13,344 at 330.4 hours a year
Loudoun County, Virginia: $12,917 at 240.8 hours a year
Employees with Zuern Building Products, out of Slinger, wear construction costumes during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)People attend the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Attendees find their seat assignments during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)People mingle before the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Josh Monroe, with Atos Medical out of New Berlin, dressed as the green light in The Great Gatsby holds his saber during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)The awards are displayed during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)April Esquivel, left and Alleeah Graves, with Royal Basket Trucks, out of Darien, Wisconsin sport festive headwear during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Thais Mourao, left, and Veronica Walter, with CG Schmidt, out of Milwaukee, hold an award their company received in the Best Midsized category during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Employees attend the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)The breakfast sponsored by NCG Hospitality is ready to be served during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Josh Monroe, with Atos Medical out of New Berlin, dressed as the green light in The Great Gatsby holds blows bubbles during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Employees with Sterling Lawyers, out of Menomonee Falls, including Robin Esch (holding award) pose for a photo with their Top Workplace award during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Milwaukee Journal Sentinel executive editor Greg Borowski speaks during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Milwaukee Journal Sentinel direct marketing and special section manager Mark Missurelli waits to speak during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Matt Earhart, with Trusted Fraternal Life, out of Milwaukee, dons a crown during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Media Partnerships director Bob Helbig speaks during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Employees with, Atos Medical out of New Berlin, including Jessica Shumpert (left) and Jared Eggers cheer during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Milwaukee Journal Sentinel General Manager Bryan Arnold speaks during the celebration of southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces in Brookfield, on April 16, 2026. More than 700 business leaders gathered as 164 companies were recognized in the 17th year of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel–sponsored program, with winners selected in partnership with research firm Energage. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin commuters spend $5,171 a year getting to work, report shows
