As companies continue enforcing return-to-office (RTO) policies, many employees are facing difficult decisions about where they live and work. A new StorageUnits.com survey of 2,370 workers impacted by RTO mandates reveals that one in four employees are now being asked to return to an office they don’t live near, prompting major financial and lifestyle changes.
The data highlights a growing trend: 19% of workers have already moved back, while 60% plan to relocate to comply with their employer’s in-office requirements. However, 21% do not intend to move, with many instead opting to seek new employment elsewhere.
Weighing the Cost of Returning
During the remote work era, many employees moved to new locations for financial and lifestyle reasons. Among those who relocated, 46% chose more desirable locations, 44% moved to more affordable areas, 34% wanted to be closer to family, and 30% relocated for a spouse or partner.
Now, as companies push for in-office attendance, employees are being forced to weigh the costs of returning. Many report that relocating will increase their cost of living, require downsizing, or create unexpected financial burdens. Among those who have already moved:
- 34% report paying higher rent or mortgage
- 32% have downsized to a smaller home
- 22% moved in with family or roommates to offset costs
- 19% had to break a lease or sell a home unexpectedly
For those planning to relocate, these financial concerns persist. 51% anticipate a significant rise in their cost of living, while 43% expect higher housing expenses, and 30% plan to downsize.
RTO Push Driving Career Changes
The study also found that many employees are reconsidering their jobs rather than uprooting their lives. Among those unwilling to move, 40% plan to find a new job instead. Even among those who ultimately chose to relocate, 56% first attempted to find a different job, but many struggled—33% received no offers, and 63% felt the offers weren’t worth accepting.
With rising costs and limited job options, some workers feel they have no choice but to return. However, 8% of respondents indicated they plan to quit rather than move.
Storage Solutions Growing as a Necessity
For those downsizing due to an RTO move, storage solutions have become essential. 69% of workers have rented or plan to rent a storage unit to accommodate their changing living situations.
Meanwhile, major metro areas are seeing an influx of returning employees, with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia among the top destinations for relocated workers.
As companies continue to reinforce RTO policies, the financial and personal impact on employees remains significant, with many forced to make tough choices about where—and how—they live and work.
Click here for more on StorageUnits.com’s report on RTO and migration.
