30 Best US Cities For Remote Workers [2024]

 

Best cities for remote work in the US
Image Credit: Bahamas Air Tours Inc.

 

My wife and I have worked remotely together for almost a decade. Each time we choose a new place to visit/work, we balance several factors like Airbnb options, flight prices, cafes, cost of living, and more. 

It sparked an idea. Remote workers need an unbiased list of the best US cities for remote work (based on real data). That’s what you’ll find below. After hours of research, I settled on nine positive criteria (flight prices, short-term rentals, popularity, quality of life–including safety, walkability, public transit, internet scores, coworking spaces, and cafes), two negative criteria (cost to visit and cost to live), and weightings for each criterion. You can read more about the methodology and sources here, or continue to see the full list. Let me know if you have any ideas or feedback in the comments below.

Table of Contents

👉 10 Best Cities To Work Remotely In The US 👈

10 best cities for remote working

Here are the 10 best cities for remote work in the United States. In the table below, you’ll see the ranking, city, the city’s best attribute (out of 9 criteria), and the weighted score. 

Rank

City

Best Attribute

Points

1

 Short-Term Rentals

747

2

 Internet

689

3

 Short-Term Rentals

670

4

❤️ Quality of Life

640

5

 Internet

619

6

 Short-Term Rentals

578

7

☕ Cafes

558

8

 Popularity

520

9

 Short-Term Rentals

513

10

☕ Cafes

485


 

👉 30 Best Cities For Remote Work In The US 👈

Here’s the full list of our 30 winning cities with more information about each.

 

1. Miami, Florida

Miami: #1 best remote work city
Image Credit: Bahamas Air Tours Inc.

Score: 747 Points | Best Attribute: Short-Term Rentals

Miami, Florida is a vibrant city known for its short-term rentals. It boasts a high score in our rankings due to its excellent short-term rentals (40.8), cafes (14.0), and coworking spaces (11.5). With a total point score of 74.7, Miami, Florida stands out as a clear choice for remote workers.

  • Short-term rental points: 408
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 140
  • Walkability points: 98
  • Public transit points: 78
  • Flight price points: 90
  • Coworking space points: 115
  • Popularity space points: 68
  • Internet points: 72
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -14
  • Cost to live (negative points): -308

 

2. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta: #2 best remote work city
Image Credit: WorldAtlas

Score: 689 Points | Best Attribute: Internet

Atlanta is a bustling hub known for its pivotal role in the civil rights movement and vibrant cultural scene.

  • Short-term rental points: 374
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 112
  • Walkability points: 77
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 110
  • Popularity space points: 32
  • Internet points: 96
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -112
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale: #3 best remote work city
Image Credit: AARP

Score: 670 Points | Best Attribute: Short-Term Rentals

Fort Lauderdale is celebrated for its expansive beaches, boating canals, and a lively arts scene.

  • Short-term rental points: 425
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 120
  • Coworking space points: 125
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

4. Washington D.C.

Washington DC: #4 best remote work city
Image Credit: Sasaki.com

Score: 640 Points | Best Attribute: Coworking Spaces

The capital city of the United States, Washington D.C. houses iconic monuments, museums, and the federal government’s nexus. DC has great short-term rental options, a high walkability score, and lots of coworking spaces. Careful though: it is a top-25 most expensive city to visit and live in the US.

  • Short-term rental points: 289
  • Quality of life points: 238
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 161
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 15
  • Coworking space points: 105
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -56
  • Cost to live (negative points): -112

 

5. Tampa, Florida

Tampa: #5 best remote work city
Image Credit: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Score: 619 Points | Best Attribute: Internet

Tampa offers a rich blend of cultural heritage, modern attractions, and major sports teams.

  • Short-term rental points: 306
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 105
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 80
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 44
  • Internet points: 84
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

6. Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins: #6 best remote work city
Image Credit: Stantec.com

Score: 578 Points | Best Attribute: Short-Term Rentals

Fort Collins is renowned for its craft breweries and vibrant local music scene set against a Rocky Mountain backdrop. Fort Collins ranks very high across the US in our top two weighted factors: short-term rentals per capita and quality of life. 

  • Short-term rental points: 391
  • Quality of life points: 187
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

7. Portland, Oregon

Portland: #7 best remote work city
Image Credit: Getty Images

Score: 558 Points | Best Attribute: Cafes

Portland is famous for its progressive values, abundant parks, and a thriving arts and crafts community.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 357
  • Cafe points: 168
  • Walkability points: 147
  • Public transit points: 54
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 56
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -154
  • Cost to live (negative points): -70

 

8. Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville: #8 best remote work city
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

Score: 520 Points | Best Attribute: Popularity

Nashville, the heart of country music, boasts a vibrant music scene and rich historical attractions.

  • Short-term rental points: 357
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 60
  • Coworking space points: 95
  • Popularity space points: 100
  • Internet points: 48
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -140
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

9. Austin, Texas

Austin: #9 best remote work city
Image Credit: Kayak

Score: 513 Points | Best Attribute: Short-Term Rentals

Austin is known as a live music capital with a unique blend of Texan tradition and a booming tech industry.

  • Short-term rental points: 340
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 84
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 45
  • Coworking space points: 70
  • Popularity space points: 40
  • Internet points: 4
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -70
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh: #10 best remote work city
Image Credit: Livability

Score: 485 Points | Best Attribute: Cafes

Pittsburgh features a strong industrial history, a burgeoning tech scene, and picturesque riverfront views.

  • Short-term rental points: 221
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 133
  • Walkability points: 119
  • Public transit points: 12
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

11. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston: #11 best remote work city

Score: 456 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

Boston is steeped in U.S. history, home to prestigious universities, and a driving force in biotechnology.

  • Short-term rental points: 136
  • Quality of life points: 340
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 168
  • Public transit points: 138
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 100
  • Popularity space points: 64
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -294
  • Cost to live (negative points): -196

 

12. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor for remote workers

Score: 425 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

Known for its vibrant arts scene and the prestigious University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a hub of innovation and education.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 425
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

13. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas for remote workers

Score: 421 Points | Best Attribute: Flight Prices

Las Vegas is globally famous for its vibrant nightlife, sprawling casinos, and entertainment options. Vegas has cheap inbound flights, it’s a popular place to visit, and it has plenty of cafes to work from.

  • Short-term rental points: 34
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 98
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 125
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 96
  • Internet points: 68
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

14. Madison, Wisconsin

Madison: #14 best remote work city

Score: 391 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

As the capital of Wisconsin, Madison offers a lively cultural scene nestled between two lakes and is renowned for its progressive community.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 391
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

15. Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville: #15 best remote work city

Score: 371 Points | Best Attribute: Short-Term Rentals

Jacksonville is known for its vast urban park system, bustling riverfront downtown, and cultural festivals.

  • Short-term rental points: 323
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 16
  • Internet points: 32
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

16. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Score: 368 Points | Best Attribute: Internet

Colorado Springs is set at the foot of the Rockies, known for its breathtaking landscapes and military installations.

  • Short-term rental points: 204
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 72
  • Internet points: 92
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

17. Boulder, Colorado

Score: 366 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

Boulder is a picturesque city that combines outdoor recreational activities with a vibrant cultural scene.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 408
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): -42

 

18. Raleigh – Durham, North Carolina

Score: 356 Points | Best Attribute: Coworking Spaces

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 221
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 10
  • Coworking space points: 85
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 40
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

19. San Jose, California

Score: 343 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

San Jose stands as a major technology hub within Silicon Valley, characterized by its high innovation rate and affluence.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 374
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 85
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 52
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): -168

 

20. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Score: 323 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

Green Bay is famous for its die-hard football culture, historical landmarks, and strong community spirit.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 323
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

21. Dallas, Texas

Score: 318 Points | Best Attribute: Flight Prices

Dallas offers a mix of modern attractions, extensive shopping centers, and significant historical sites.

  • Short-term rental points: 153
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 75
  • Coworking space points: 30
  • Popularity space points: 60
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

22. New Orleans, Louisiana

Score: 313 Points | Best Attribute: Popularity

New Orleans is renowned for its distinct French and Spanish Creole architecture, vibrant music scene, and culinary excellence.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 126
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 95
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 92
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

23. Hartford, Connecticut

Score: 306 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

Hartford, one of the oldest cities in the United States, serves as Connecticut’s capital and a major center for the insurance industry.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 306
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

24. Oakland, California

Score: 305 Points | Best Attribute: Flight Prices

Oakland features a diverse arts scene, significant historical movements, and stunning waterfronts.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 91
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 60
  • Flight price points: 110
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 44
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

25. Seattle, Washington

Score: 302 Points | Best Attribute: Cafes

Seattle is known for its tech industry, vibrant coffee culture, and iconic Space Needle. Seattle has a lot to offer–it ranks in the top 25 US cities across seven of the nine positive factors. But it’s also one of the most expensive places to visit and live.

  • Short-term rental points: 272
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 154
  • Walkability points: 154
  • Public transit points: 18
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 90
  • Popularity space points: 56
  • Internet points: 76
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -336
  • Cost to live (negative points): -182

 

26. Houston, Texas

Score: 289 Points | Best Attribute: Short-Term Rentals

Houston thrives as a diverse metropolis with a robust economy in energy, aeronautics, and healthcare sectors.

  • Short-term rental points: 170
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 56
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 35
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 28
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

26. Rochester, New York

Score: 289 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

Rochester, a city in upstate New York on Lake Ontario, is recognized for its rich history in music, art and theatre scene, and expansive parks. Rochester ranks in the top 10 of all US cities for quality of life, which solely propels it into the top 30.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 289
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

28. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Score: 256 Points | Best Attribute: Coworking Spaces

Philadelphia, rich in American history, is home to iconic Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and vibrant arts.

  • Short-term rental points: 68
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 112
  • Public transit points: 114
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 60
  • Popularity space points: 28
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): -126
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

29. Kansas City, Missouri

Score: 255 Points | Best Attribute: Short-Term Rentals

Kansas City is famous for its distinctive jazz heritage, luxurious fountains, and mouth-watering barbecue.

  • Short-term rental points: 255
  • Quality of life points: 0
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0

 

29. Boise, Idaho

Score: 255 Points | Best Attribute: Quality of Life

Boise stands out with its vibrant arts community, numerous parks and access to outdoor adventures.

  • Short-term rental points: 0
  • Quality of life points: 255
  • Cafe points: 0
  • Walkability points: 0
  • Public transit points: 0
  • Flight price points: 0
  • Coworking space points: 0
  • Popularity space points: 0
  • Internet points: 0
  • Cost to visit (negative points): 0
  • Cost to live (negative points): 0


 

👉 Takeaways: Best US Cities For Remote Workers 👈

If you’re looking for some trends in the data, here’s what we noticed during our research about the best US cities for remote workers:

  • 3 of the top 5 cities for remote workers are in Florida (and 4 of the top 30).
  • Colorado took 3 of the top 20 cities (Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Boulder).
  • The South Atlantic took the top 5 spots:
    • Miami, FL
    • Atlanta, GA
    • Fort Lauderdale, FL
    • Washington D.C.
    • Tampa, GA
  • 0 California cities made the top 15 (and only 2 made the top 30)
    • Most California cities get knocked down significantly because they are expensive places to visit and expensive places to live
  • Some smaller, less well-known cities made the top 20 (if that’s more your style):
    • Fort Collins, Colorado
    • Ann Arbor, Michigan
    • Madison, Wisconsin
    • Raleigh – Durham, North Carolina
    • Green Bay, Wisconsin
  • Miami, FL, Washington D.C, and Portland, OR were the only cities in the top 10 to overcome a high-cost of living (in other words, it they have a lot to offer if you’re willing to put up with the expense)


 

👉 Methodology & Sources 👈

This report on the “Best US Cities For Remote Workers” includes 11 weighted criteria. You can see the criteria and weights for each in the table below.

Criteria

Weight

Description

Why We Chose It

Short-Term Rentals Per Capita

17%

The 25 cities with the highest number of short-term rental listings (Airbnb + others) per capita (listings/population). 

Source: Airbtics

This shows how many options you might have to book a place to stay and work.

Quality of Life

17%

The 25 cities with the best 'quality of life' based on several factors: crime rates, educational quality, general well-being, commuter indices, healthcare availability, air quality, and more.

Source: Forbes

This indicates how much value you'll get for your stay, access to things you need, and safety. 

Cafes per Capita

7%

The 15 cities with the most cafes per capita.

Source: Zoma

You'll need a place to work remotely. Cafes are one of the most common options while traveling.

We weighted this above coworking spaces since cafes double as restaurants. 

Walkability

7%

The top 20 US cities for 'walkability' according to Conde Nast. The rankings factor in data from two places: EPA’s Smart Location data and the American Enterprise Institute's Walkable Oriented Development data.

Source: Conde Nast

As a digital nomad, we assume you won't have a car. The ability to get things done on foot is a big factor.

Public Transit

6%

The top 25 US cities for "Transit Connectivity Index (TMI)" according to AllTransit. The study factors several public transit metrics into one.

Source: AllTransit

As a digital nomad, we assume you won't have a car. Public transit is a great way to get around town.

Flight Prices

5%

FinanceBuzz analyzed the average domestic fares from the 45 busiest airports in the US and then ranked them. We mapped the 25 least expensive average airfares to the closest city.

Source: Finance Buzz

You don't want to break the bank if you fly. Cities with the highest point values here will be the cheapest to fly to.

Coworking Spaces per Capita

5%

At the end of 2023, Coworking Cafe ranked the 20 US cities with the most coworking square footage. Buildremote divided it by the city's population to get per capita.

Source: Coworking Cafe

You'll need a place to work remotely. Coworking spaces are a great option (and indicate the city's friendliness to remote workers).

Popularity

4%

The 25 US cities with the highest percentage of people who have a positive opinion of the city (according to YouGov Ratings).

Source: YouGov

You probably want to go to a place lots of people like. However, this criterion mostly quantifies tourism so it is weighted lower than 'Quality of Life' (which skews toward living).


Internet

4%

The 25 cities with the best internet across multiple factors ranging from average internet costs and download speeds to free hotspots’ availability and gigabit coverage.

Source: Forbes

Strong internet will be very important for your work. However, most cities in the US have good enough internet, so it gets a lower rating.

Cost To Visit (Negative)

14%

The 25 cities that are the most expensive to visit for a three-day stay (factors in food, drink, nightly hotel rates, airfare). 

Source: GoBankingRates

This factor tells you how expensive it is to vacation somewhere.

Cities on this list get negative points (to offset the positive traits).

Cost To Live (Negative)

14%

These are the 25 most expensive places to live in the US based on factors like median gross rent and annual housing costs.

Source: US News

This factor tells you how expensive it is to live somewhere.

Cities on this list get negative points (to offset the positive traits).

For each criterion, we picked a recent study that best ranks US cities for that factor alone. Within each study, we cut off the list at 25 cities. In a few of the studies, we had just 15 or 20 total ranked so we used those.

Here’s an example of how it works for the “Quality of Life” criterion:

  • Forbes ranked the cities from #1 to #25 (best quality of life at the top)
  • We assigned point values in the reverse order:
    • #1 received 25 points, #2 received 24 points, etc. down to #25 which received 1 point
    • Cities that were not in the top 25 received 0 points
  • When totaling points across all 11 factors, we multiply point values by weight:
    • “Quality of Life” gets a weight of 17/100
    • Ann Arbor (ranked #1) gets 25 points * 17 (weight) = 425 points for “Quality of Life”

Two of the factors – “Cost to Visit” and “Cost to Live” are negative. Here’s an example of how it works for “Cost to Visit:

  • GoBankingRates ranked the most expensive US cities to visit for a weekend (#1 being most costly)
  • We assigned negative point values to offset the other positive criteria with cost:
    • #1 received -25 points, #2 received -24 points, etc. down to #25 which received -1 point
    • Cities that were not in the top 25 received 0 points
  • When totaling points across all 11 factors, we multiply point values by weight:
    • “Cost to Visit” gets a weight of 14/100
    • Aspen (ranked #1 most expensive) gets -25 points * 14 weight = -350
    • Without any other positive attributes to offset costliness, this pushes Aspen out of our rankings

After collecting point values for all cities across all 11 criteria, we add up points to get the city’s final score. The city with the most points is the best US city for remote workers.

If you’re looking specifically for the best cities for hybrid workers, check out CommercialSearch’s research at that link.

 

👉 Spreadsheet Tool: Build Your List Of Best Cities 👈

Want a copy of the spreadsheet we used to build this report? You can adjust the weights to fit your preferences.

Contact us here and we’ll send it your way.

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