How much does working from home save?

The average remote worker saves $2,000-$7,000 per year compared to office workers when accounting for commute costs, work lunches, work clothing and coffee.

Is working from home financially better?

For most workers yes. Remote work eliminates commute costs, reduces food and clothing expenses, and is equivalent to a salary raise of 10-15% for many workers.

How much does commuting cost per year?

The average American commuter spends $2,000-$5,000 per year on transportation, work food and clothing. A 30-minute commute each way costs roughly 250 hours of unpaid time annually.

How Much Does Remote Work Save or Cost You?

Calculate the true financial value of working from home vs office

Quick Answer

The average remote worker saves $2,500–$7,000 per year compared to office workers. A typical commuter spends $3,000–$5,000 annually on transportation, work lunches, clothing and coffee. Working from home eliminates most of these costs and is equivalent to a $3,500–$9,000 pre-tax salary raise for the average American worker.

The true financial value of remote work goes beyond eliminating commute costs. It includes savings on work lunches, coffee, professional clothing and dry cleaning — offset by small increases in home utility and internet costs. This calculator gives you the exact net annual figure for your specific commute and spending patterns.

Last updated: June 2026

Your work situation

☕ Food & coffee

Work lunches bought/week

Avg lunch cost

Home lunch cost

Work coffees/week

Avg coffee cost

👔 Clothing (annual)

Work wardrobe spend

Dry cleaning

🏠 WFH extra costs (monthly unless noted)

Utility increase/mo

Internet upgrade/mo

Home office equip/yr