Remote work is an appealing option for all sorts of professionals, and if you’re thinking of relocating in order to squeeze the most out of your day-to-day life while still being able to keep your career on track, there are lots of US cities to consider.
We’ve narrowed down your prospects to just a few of the best cities for remote work, so keep reading to see why these locations are worth adding to your shortlist.
Top 13 Cities for Remote Workers in the USA
1. Portland, OR – A Haven for Hipsters and Techies
Located in the Pacific Northwest, Portland is a tech paradise blended with artistic flair. It’s known for its eclectic arts scene and numerous craft breweries.
If you’re looking for the best cities for remote work in the USA, you’ll love Portland’s many coffee shops packed with fellow telecommuters armed with laptops, welcoming coworking spaces offering networking opportunities, and an affordable cost of living compared to other tech hotspots further south on the West Coast.
Additionally, Portland’s proximity to beautiful natural landscapes gives you great weekend getaways right at your doorstep.
- Cost of Living: Affordable compared to other West Coast tech hubs
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Numerous coworking spaces and an abundance of coffee shops filled with fellow telecommuters.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Wide range of craft breweries, rich arts scene, proximity to beautiful natural landscapes.
2. Boulder, CO – The Perfect Work-Life Balance
A gem nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is one of the best cities for remote work because it combines urban amenities with an outdoor lifestyle.
As a remote worker here, you can spend your breaks hiking or biking, thanks to the city’s 300-plus days of sunshine per year. After-work hours are equally engaging, with a vibrant local food and arts scene to explore.
Paired with high internet speeds suitable for any online job, it’s no surprise that Boulder is fast becoming a preferred destination for many digital nomads.
- Cost of Living: Slightly above the national average, but offset by high quality of life and amenities.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: High-speed internet feeds an engaged remote work community; and opportunities to connect with fellow digital nomads.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Outdoor activities abound thanks to 300+ sunny days a year, a vibrant food scene, and appealing cultural outlets.
3. Houston, TX – for Great Arts, Entertainment, and Dining
Vibrant and culturally diverse, Houston presents a rich assortment of food, arts, and entertainment. There’s an array of live music venues, gourmet eateries to relax in after work hours, and museums covering everything from contemporary art to automobiles and beyond.
You’ll also find it’s easy to buy used cars in Houston, making your weekend travels a breeze. And given the scope of Texas, it’s definitely worth having a car at your disposal to make the most of the state.
Another selling point is the fact that Houston’s cost of living is manageable compared to other large metropolises. So you’ll get more bang for your buck without making any compromises on the cultural side of things.
- Cost of Living: More manageable compared to other large cities in the US, especially those on the coasts.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Diverse cultural mix offers strong networking potential and easy access to facilities like used car shops for mobility.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Rich assortment of food, arts, and entertainment with an array of live music venues and gourmet eateries.
4. Raleigh, NC – Offering High Quality of Life with Low Living Costs
Renowned for its Southern charm and bustling tech scene, Raleigh could be your next remote work haven. It’s a city that truly matches the comfort of suburban life along with the energized atmosphere of an urban hub.
Not only does this locale boast a high quality of life, but it also keeps living costs surprisingly low, making it one of the cheapest places to work remotely US digital nomads can relocate to. Moreover, Raleigh is known for having numerous green spaces where you can enjoy some fresh air during breaks from work.
- Cost of Living: Surprisingly low, perfect for those wanting to maximize their earnings while minimizing expenses.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: A bustling tech scene creates enhanced networking possibilities. Generous green spaces offer natural networking venues.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Southern charm blends seamlessly with urban energy. Numerous parks provide great spaces for outdoor breaks from work.
5. Tampa, FL – A Sunny Locale with a Thriving Remote Work Culture
Immerse yourself in the sun-soaked city of Tampa, offering sandy beaches and beautiful bay views, providing relaxation whether on a morning jog or an evening stroll.
This Florida gem has a rapidly expanding remote working culture and plenty of facilities suited to this lifestyle, making it an attractive option for telecommuters. Plus, there are multiple thriving districts, each boasting unique food scenes, so you can change up your scenery whenever you like!
Moreover, the amazing weather year-round means that enjoying the great outdoors is easier, and you won’t feel any of those winter blues that can descend in more northerly states.
- Cost of Living: Reasonable when compared to other cities in Florida with similar amenities.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Rapidly expanding remote working culture, numerous facilities developed for such a lifestyle.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Sandy beaches for relaxation, thriving food scene across its districts, and access to stunning bay views.
6. Phoenix, AZ – A Warm Climate and Thriving Tech Scene
Embrace the sun-drenched city of Phoenix, which guarantees an average of more than 300 sunny days each year.
Ranked top among up-and-coming tech cities to watch for in the US, its steadily growing tech sector, accompanied by a rich local food scene and access to some spectacular natural scenery, make it ideal for remote workers.
The relatively low cost of living, coupled with coworking spaces and accommodating communities dedicated to promoting remote work culture, provide all the right conditions for your digital nomad journey.
- Cost of Living: Relatively inexpensive, making it attractive for remote workers seeking affordable cities.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: The growing tech sector offers numerous opportunities to network and collaborate.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Over 300 sunny days each year, along with a rich local food scene and access to stunning natural scenery.
7. San Francisco, CA – Technology Meets Diversity and Amazing Food
If technology and innovation run through your veins, then San Francisco is your perfect match. This tech-forward city radiates diversity in culture, architecture, and gastronomy with its wide array of artisanal coffee shops ideal for remote working.
Known as the global hub for high-tech startups, it offers ample networking opportunities that could propel your career further. Meanwhile, public parks such as Golden Gate Park offer convenient spots to relax or brainstorm during breaks while absorbing beautiful views of the city.
- Cost of Living: Higher compared to other cities but offset by exceptional amenities and opportunities.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Known as a global tech hub, offering plenty of networking events and co-working space options.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Diverse culture includes ample eateries, parks, art installations, and hiking trails for breaks from work.
8. Kansas City, MO – Enjoy Affordable Living with Midwest Charm
Strategically located in the heartland of America, Kansas City offers an engaging mix of affordability and laid-back Midwestern charm, placing it among the best affordable USA cities for remote work. It boasts gigabit internet, a crucial commodity for telecommuters, along with its thriving arts scene characterized by jazz music and BBQ food culture.
The city’s neighborhoods interchange between urban vibrancy and serene green spaces, making it easy to find your desired working environment, from trendy coffee shops downtown to peaceful parks surrounding the city.
- Cost of Living: Affordable, making it a desirable location for remote workers on a tighter budget.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Gigabit internet brings together an active online community, while local midwestern charm fosters strong connections in person.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: A thriving arts scene with jazz clubs and BBQ restaurants; varied urban neighborhoods contrasted by relaxing green spaces.
9. Austin, TX – Rich Culture in the Heart of Texas
Austin, a city steeped in lively arts and culture, is also renowned for its burgeoning tech scene. Known as Silicon Hills, it hosts numerous tech tycoons offering ample opportunities to network and learn.
As a remote worker, you’ll be mesmerized by Austin’s rich collection of coffee shops and eateries populated with other telecommuters scattered across the city. In addition, places like Zilker Metropolitan Park or Lake Travis will provide respite from work, balancing your professional and personal life perfectly.
- Cost of Living: Moderate. Although increasing, it is still cheaper than many high-tech cities.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Strong tech scene provides abundant networking events; a rich variety of coworking spaces support the remote work lifestyle.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Vibrant arts culture, including music festivals, eclectic food scene, proximity to attractive natural environments for outdoor activities.
10. Salt Lake City, UT – Find Work-Life Balance in Stunning Surroundings
Surrounded by magnificent mountains and vast open spaces, Salt Lake City is a haven for those who love the outdoors. The city also holds an impressive ranking in terms of job prospects, making it particularly attractive to remote workers.
Offering high-speed internet connectivity and a cost of living slightly below the national average, your dollar stretches further here.
Additionally, numerous coffee shops equipped with Wi-Fi make for perfect working spots where you can enjoy scenic vistas as you crunch down on work deadlines.
- Cost of Living: Slightly below the national average, making it a financially feasible choice for many.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Robust job market encourages a strong remote work network, with plenty of high-speed internet access points throughout the city.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Close proximity to stunning natural playgrounds like mountains and lakes means outdoorsy lifestyles are easy to maintain here.
11. Atlanta, GA – Experience Southern Hospitality along with a Flourishing Job Market
Celebrate southern hospitality in Atlanta, a city known for its flourishing job market and diverse culture. Being the hub of many Fortune 500 companies, it offers excellent networking opportunities for remote workers.
With high-speed internet readily available and ample co-working spaces strewn across the city, you’re never far from your next workspace. Moreover, its vibrant food scene and historic attractions offer an appealing balance of work-leisure activities that can enhance your overall quality of life while working remotely.
- Cost of Living: Affordable compared to other similar-sized cities, with a variety of housing options.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Home to many Fortune 500 companies, providing ample networking opportunities; numerous co-working spaces available.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Vibrant food scene, historic attractions for after-work leisure; Southern hospitality enhances overall experience.
12. Charleston, SC – Marvel at Historic Architecture while Working from Cozy Coffee Shops
Immersed in history and Southern charm, Charleston is easily among the best cities for remote work, thanks to this fact alone. From historic alleys adorned with rainbow-colored houses to cozy coffee shops perfect for setting up your temporary office, it has it all.
Known for its warm hospitality and tantalizing cuisines, with shrimp and grits being a local favorite, you’ll never struggle to find new spots for food or drink after logging off from work. The community spirit here is strong, making networking opportunities plentiful amongst the tight-knit yet welcoming populace.
- Cost of Living: Mid-range. While it’s not the cheapest, it delivers good quality of life for the cost.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Tight-knit, hospitable community enhances networking opportunities amongst locals and newcomers alike.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Historic architecture to marvel at, rich local cuisine, including famous shrimp-and-grits dishes, and warmth from Southern charm.
13. Seattle, WA – Combining Natural Beauty with Cutting-Edge Tech
Rife with scenic wonders and boasting an esteemed tech hub appeal, Seattle is prime for remote work. Known equally for its robust job market as it is for the iconic Space Needle and Pike Place Market, there’s plenty here to stimulate your lifestyle.
Its multicultural population provides a diverse environment that offers an abundance of international cuisine options to savor during breaks.
Also, with world-famous companies like Microsoft and Amazon headquartered here, networking opportunities are ample, while lush parks provide peaceful escapes from any hectic day of work.
- Cost of Living: Higher than the national average but in line with its status as a major tech hub.
- Community and Networking Opportunities: Home to Amazon and Microsoft, providing ample networking opportunities. An abundance of coworking spaces catered towards remote workers.
- Lifestyle and Recreation: Proximity to scenic wonders like waterfront parks and hiking trails and a vibrant food scene for culinary variety.
Wrapping Up
There’s a lot to consider when relocating to work remotely, so set yourself a list of priorities and then use this to compare against the best cities for remote work on offer to help narrow down your choice and make a decision that works for you.
FAQ
Remote work is popular across the whole country, allowing workers to settle wherever they prefer. Large cities such as San Francisco and Austin are becoming hotspots due to their thriving tech scenes. However, smaller areas like Boulder or Raleigh also appeal for their high quality of life and lower living costs.
Yes, it’s entirely legal to work remotely within the United States.
Many choose cities with strong technology sectors, like Seattle or San Francisco, which offer great networking opportunities. Others might gravitate towards locations that offer a better cost of living, such as Kansas City.
You should have an appropriate visa permitting you to legally live and work over there, regardless of whether you’re working onsite or remotely.
Consider elements like connectivity (strong internet), co-working space availability, cost of living, lifestyle offerings (like outdoor activities), along with overall community support for teleworkers.