Commute time and cost are becoming decisive factors in job searches, with 49% of employed Americans saying they have rejected an opportunity because the journey was too long or expensive. A Monster Research Institute survey found that 65% of prospective job movers changed their search priorities because of gas prices, including 23% seeking work closer to home, 17% placing greater emphasis on salary, 20% prioritizing fully remote roles and 5% applying for fully in-person positions. The findings come as regular gasoline approaches $4.50 a gallon on average, while mid-grade fuel is above $5 and diesel exceeds $6.50. Brent crude was $105 a barrel as supply disruptions linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict affected shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The survey found that 32% of employed Americans would require at least a 20% pay increase to accept an additional 20-minute commute, while 30% would not be persuaded by financial or scheduling incentives. Three-quarters said rising living costs had made work-life balance more important. The Pollfish survey, conducted in July 2026 among 1,005 employed U.S. adults, had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Employers are balancing office-attendance demands against workers’ commuting costs, health and flexibility preferences, while office occupancy across 10 major U.S. cities has settled at 53%, according to Kastle Systems.