Commute time thresholds across different city scales in urban China

Long commutes are typically considered undesirable, yet in China’s super cities, residents endure significantly longer commutes without necessarily reporting lower satisfaction. To explain this phenomenon and systematically examine the differentiated thresholds of commute satisfaction across city scales, this study adopts reference point theory and analyzes large-scale survey data from 59 Chinese cities using a two-stage machine learning approach. Results indicate that commute time is the most influential factor, with satisfaction thresholds rising alongside city scale—from 19.0 min in small cities to 43.5 min in super cities. City size moderates satisfaction in a U-shaped pattern, with a rebound in super cities linked to better transport infrastructure and social comparison effects. Thresholds also vary across commuting modes. From a behavioral economics perspective, the research clarifies the psychological mechanisms behind commute well-being, providing a scientific basis for tailored urban transport policies that enhance residents’ health and quality of life.