Working in the US / The most accessible metropolitan areas in 2010 : Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York

Key findings

1. In 2010, the average American living in the top-51 metro areas could reach slightly fewer jobs by automobile than in 1990, but more jobs than in 2000.
2. Automobile speeds were faster in 2010 than in 2000 (and about where they were in 1990).
3. Overall job losses in these 51 areas have limited accessibility gains associated with faster networks.
4. The average American city is slightly more circuitous in 2010 than in 1990 because roads in newer areas (suburban growth) are not as well connected as those in older areas of the metropolitan region.
5. The overall most accessible metropolitan areas in 2010 were (in order): Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Jose, Washington, Boston, Dallas, and Houston.There have been significant changes among accessibility leaders since 1990, when New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Washington, and Dallas made up the top 10.
6. People living in many smaller metropolitan areas can reach as many jobs by car as people living in much larger areas within both the 10- and 20-minute time frames. For instance New Orleans, Salt Lake City, and Jacksonville are all among the top 10 for number of jobs that can be reached within 10 minutes. Jacksonville, Milwaukee, and Las Vegas are among the top 10 for number of jobs that can be reached within 20 minutes.

There are two ways for cities to improve accessibility—by making transportation faster and more direct or increasing the density of activities, such as locating jobs closer together and closer to workers. While neither of these things can easily be shifted overnight, they can make a significant impact over the long term.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor