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  • Hybrid working movers feel better off - but could £18k ‘supercommuting’ costs wipe out any gains? | Standard Life plc
  • 1 in 6 (16%)1 UK workers moved further from the office following the shift to hybrid working
  • Over half (53%) feel financially better off - but as office expectations change, high commuting costs risk wiping out the benefits
  • Just 21% have boosted pension saving, while 43% say extra cash is absorbed by everyday spending

One in six UK workers (16%)1 moved further from their workplace during the shift to hybrid working, but for many, the financial gains from cheaper housing are now at risk of being squeezed by day-to-day costs, including the significant expense of long distance, or ‘super’ commutes.

New research1 from retirement specialist Standard Life suggests this is creating a growing gap between how people feel now and their longer-term financial position. While more than half (53%) of those who relocated say they feel financially better off, and 62% report a higher quality of life, these short-term benefits are not always translating into stronger long-term financial security. Just one in five (21%) say they have increased their pension contributions, while 43% say any extra money is being absorbed by day-to-day costs, highlighting the gap between feeling better off now and being better prepared for the future.

Many of these moves were driven by the promise of more space and better value, with buyers heading to areas such as Devon, Cornwall and the Cotswolds. However, as some employers start to place greater value on office-based work2, the financial benefits are not always as straightforward as they first appeared.

Do you stay or do you go? The hidden cost of moving further out

While the financial case for relocating can initially look compelling, the picture becomes more balanced once ongoing costs are factored in. With the average house price in London at around £664,0003 compared to roughly £317,000 in Devon4, a buyer purchasing with a 15% deposit on a 25-year repayment mortgage at an interest rate of around 5% could reduce their monthly repayments by around £1,700 a month - equivalent to roughly £20,500 a year.

However, those savings can quickly be offset by a couple of days of commuting. A flexi season ticket from Exeter to London, based on travelling two days a week, can cost around £1,540 a month, or more than £18,000 annually5. Once additional costs such as parking, childcare, or lunch are taken into account, the overall financial benefit may be far narrower than expected.

There’s no doubt about it; hybrid working has transformed the way people live and work across the UK, with greater flexibility prompting many to move further away from their workplace and take advantage of the ability to work from almost anywhere. For many, that has meant a better quality of life, more space and, in some cases, a cheaper lifestyle. However, the picture looks quite different now to when hybrid working became more commonplace, with many employers now increasing expectations around office attendance.

For some, this has brought added financial pressure, with commuting costs such as rail fares, fuel, parking and childcare all adding up. More broadly, our research highlights a challenge that many households face: feeling better off today doesn’t always translate into greater long-term financial security. While many have benefited from lower housing costs or a better quality of life, relatively few have increased retirement saving, with day-to-day spending often absorbing any extra money before it can be put towards the future. This is entirely understandable given the pressures many households are under, but it’s important not to lose sight of longer-term goals such as retirement.

For those who relocated during the shift to hybrid working, regularly reviewing the overall financial picture can be helpful. Looking at housing, commuting and day-to-day spending together can give people a clearer sense of whether the move is still delivering the benefits they expected, and where there may be opportunities to strengthen their longer-term financial resilience. Working patterns have changed significantly in recent years, and financial planning needs to reflect the realities of how people live and work today.

- Emma Furlonger, Managing Director for Workplace Pensions at Standard Life

Emma shares four ways to stay financially on track after relocating:

1. Understand the true cost of commuting

“It is easy to focus on the headline saving from cheaper housing, but regular travel costs can add up quickly. Include fares, fuel, parking, childcare and spending while travelling to build a realistic picture of what the move is saving you each month. Having the full picture makes it easier to decide whether your current arrangements are still working financially.”

2. Set aside some of the saving before it is spent

“Everyday costs can quickly absorb any money freed up through lower housing expenses. Where your budget allows, consider setting aside a proportion each month before it is spent elsewhere. Whether it goes into accessible savings or longer-term savings into a pension, taking this step can help turn an immediate saving into a lasting financial benefit.”

3. Keep longer-term goals on track

“Day-to-day costs will understandably take priority, particularly when bills or commuting expenses increase. But it is worth checking that goals such as building an emergency fund or contributing to a pension have not been unintentionally pushed back. Getting started does not need to be complex – small, regular contributions can make a meaningful difference over time.”

4. Review your finances as working patterns change

“Hybrid working is continuing to evolve, and the number and cost of journeys may change with it. Reviewing housing, travel and everyday spending alongside savings can help you understand whether your current setup still works. Regular check-ins can make it easier to adjust early, stay on track and feel more confident about your financial future.”

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Notes to editors:

  1. Research conducted by Opinium, on behalf of Standard Life, among 2,000 UK adults (18+), weighted to be nationally representative. Fieldwork took place 9th–16th June 2026. Figures are based on the full sample unless otherwise stated.
  2. Office Return Varies Across Sectors - British Chambers of Commerce
  3. London house prices in maps and graphs. 6/2026
  4. Devon house prices in maps and graphs. 6/2026
  5. Flexi Season tickets | Great Western Railway

About Standard Life

Standard Life is a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement saving and income.

We are proud to manage around c£317bn in assets on behalf of our 12 million customers, and we champion the belief that everyone's journey to and through retirement can be better.  

With our focus entirely on retirement savings and income we want to be the business that people trust to guide their retirement journey, helping our customers achieve better outcomes and greater financial security in later life. 

As a FTSE 100-listed group we are using our size, expertise and influence to shape the world our customers will retire into, and are committed to helping three million more customers by 2035, take action towards a better retirement.  

Standard Life is a responsible investor with a clear commitment to supporting a more sustainable future. The Group has achieved its net zero goal across its emissions for 2025 and is working towards net zero investment portfolios by 2050 or sooner.

Standard Life is recognised as a leading employer, with long-standing accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, Living Pension Employer and Carer Positive Exemplary Employer and in 2025 became one of Britain’s Most Admired Companies in 2025.