Remote Work Fueling Manager Concentration in Costly Cities, Widening Geographic Divide with Frontline Staff

Remote work has led to geographic polarization, with managers increasingly concentrated in expensive cities while frontline workers locate in more affordable areas.

Leadership ratios measuring manager-to-frontline worker concentrations are rising rapidly in costly cities post-pandemic.

Workers can now advance careers while living farther from offices, but housing affordability factors may limit who can live in leadership hub cities.

The location trends complicate return-to-office plans given the distance between workers and employers.

Over time, the sorting effect may make expensive cities unaffordable for all but highly-paid managers.