U.S. Office Visits Increased in September
Nationwide office attendance rose 4 percent year-over-year, marking the highest September levels recorded since 2019.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Do you believe in-person office attendance is consistently rising in your area?
U.S. office visits increased 4 percent in September 2026 compared to the same month last year. While this represents the highest September volume since 2019, national attendance remains 25.5 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
Why it matters
The rise in office attendance signals a modest shift in workplace habits across the United States. This trend highlights the ongoing adjustment as businesses navigate the balance between remote flexibility and return-to-office mandates.
San Francisco led the nation with a 12.2 percent year-over-year increase in office visits. Despite this growth, total office activity in San Francisco remains 33.8 percent below 2019 benchmarks.
The players
San Francisco
This city recorded the strongest year-over-year office visit growth among all analyzed U.S. markets.
United States
This country is the subject of the nationwide study tracking shifts in workplace office attendance.
The details
Growth in San Francisco has been notably bolstered by commercial leasing activity tied to artificial intelligence companies. Markets including Miami, New York City, and Dallas continue to rank as top performers in overall recovery levels.
Timeline
September 2019 served as the baseline for all office visit comparisons.
September 2025 provided the basis for the year-over-year growth metrics.
September 2026 recorded the most recent data on office attendance trends.
Market Landscape
This shift in office attendance marks a milestone in the post-2019 U.S. office vacancy and attendance recovery cycle. The concentration of growth in technology-heavy hubs suggests a fragmented landscape where specific sectors drive physical space usage.
Workers may encounter increasingly busy office environments as companies continue to push for higher in-person attendance. This trend could influence future commute times and the availability of office amenities for employees.
The takeaway
The return-to-office trend is gaining momentum, particularly in cities with significant technology sectors. Employees should prepare for a potential shift in workplace requirements as office usage trends closer to pre-2019 levels.
Further reading
For additional context on changing workspace dynamics, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Institutional Real Estate, Inc..
Live Poll
Do you believe in-person office attendance is consistently rising in your area?
