Gas usage and remote work survey finds a Delaware paradox

One of the perks of the increase in remote work since 2020 is that skyrocketing gas prices don’t hit the pocket so hard when there’s no commute to guzzle gas.

Travel points site Upgraded Points recently did a gas usage and remote work survey that showed that 58% of remote workers don’t feel that rising gas prices significantly impact their finances, vs. 37% for non-remote workers. Makes sense: Nearly 70% of remote workers report that they stop for gas every couple of weeks, while close to half of non-remote workers surveyed fill up on gas once a week or more.

Couple that with LinkedIn data from September showing that 35% of applications from Wilmington on its platform were for remote work, earning it the mantle of a “remote work haven,” and Delaware looks like a place that can endure a gas price spike or two.

And, in fact, Upgraded Points’ data bears that out: Delaware has the second highest percentage of people who say they spend $50 or less in gas per month (48%, second only to New Mexico with 52%).

At the same time, though, Delaware has the fourth highest percentage of people who say they fill up once a week or more (55%, behind Michigan, New Jersey and Connecticut).

Delaware, ever an enigma.

(Screenshot via Upgraded Points)

The state’s gas prices don’t average especially low or high according to AAA, though anecdotally they tend to be lower in rural downstate where there are fewer remote workers and less walkability in general. If the frequent filler-uppers are mostly below the Canal and the under $50 a month are mostly above, it could result in a paradox.

Or maybe the 3,000-person nationwide sample included too few Delaware respondents to be reliable.

We’re still holding on to “remote work haven,” though.