Is it worth it to take a better job if it means a (way) longer commute?

Think about the math. Find how much more gas you'll be using. I'll say 40 miles additional each way, for a total of 80 a day. Use the mpg of your car to find what this will cost you per day, then week. Finally, over a year. Then think about wear and tear on your vehicle.. Right now, based on my prediction, you should be getting oil changed 3-4 time a year. With new job that will be up to 10 times a year. Add the additional cost + down time as a result of the additional 6 oil changes to the gas figure. Finally, add the 3 hr trip to your work hours, then divide that by how much you earn a day. How does that number compare to your Daily take now? I hate rush hour in the district. My personal advice would be to pass, and try for some o/t at the current job.

If you took a better job. I think the best thing you could do is move closer to it. I don't think a long commute is worth it because you have the cost of getting there and back and then the cost of food since you cant just go home to grab something you will have to eat out.

So figure your new take home pay after taxes and social security probably about 55% of 20k, 11k$. subtract increased commuting costs, about 35c/ mile at say 10k more miles. that's 3.5 thousand dollars. so you get 7.5k per year in your pocket, or about $150/ week for working an extra 10 hours or $15/ hour. I did this in chicago working my way up the ladder, got a commuter train ticket thrown in and flex hours. Lasted 18 months then I gave it up. Add the problems of increased logistical hassles, and increased cost of a traffic ticket or two, and worrying about the car.... not too great a deal unless, you get a deal of some 4 day work weeks, work from home, 10 hour days, etc.