Reliable internet access is prioritized over affordable childcare among U.S. parents of children under 18 (25% versus 16%) when deciding where to live, according to a study conducted by Censuswide for global internet exchange operator DE-CIX. Researchers also found that 44% of respondents would consider relocating so that they could work remotely.
The percentages of those who would explore the remote work option are higher than average in congested cities such as San Francisco (55%), New York City (49%) and Los Angeles (61%).
“In an era where both education and work are increasingly dependent on digital platforms, reliable internet is not just a utility but a cornerstone of daily life,” DE-CIX CEO Ivo Ivanov said in a prepared statement. “This priority reflects broader societal changes where digital readiness is considered as much as childcare when it comes to education and career opportunities.”
Other findings from the survey:
- 51% of Americans value remote and flexible working arrangements. Those 18 to 24 years of age showed a greater preference for this option than those older than 55 (64% versus 31%).
- On average, Americans report Internet disruptions 53 times per year where they currently live, with 82 percent acknowledging some level of disruption. Younger people face more frequent interruptions compared to older age groups. Fifty percent of people aged 18-24 experience Internet disruptions once a week or more compared to 18% of people aged 55 and older, perhaps because the younger people spend more time online.
- The top suggestions for improving the internet experience include a greater choice of internet service providers (37%), more fiber/mobile rollouts (34%) and increased state (22%) and federal investment (20%) in internet infrastructure.
Censuswide surveyed 2002 people in the U.S. over the age of 18 in April. The results in chart form for each of the questions are available here.