The 10 Best Places to Work Remotely in the U.S.

Working from anywhere is exciting, but choosing a location is a huge task. Here are the 10 best places to work remotely in the U.S. to help you decide.

Remote work is full of perks. You skip the morning commute, attend meetings in sweatpants, and have plenty of time to enjoy a relaxing lunch or quick midday yoga session. And for many, flexible work means freedom to clock in from virtually anywhere in the U.S. — or even the world.

If you’re staying in the country, what are the best cities for remote workers in the U.S.? The short answer is: It depends. But whether you’re looking for plenty of green spaces, hustle and bustle, or a laid-back coastal city, there’s a great remote work destination for every lifestyle. 

To help you narrow down your next work-from-home base, here’s a list of the best cities to work remotely in the U.S. 

10 Remote Working Destinations

Mountain hikes and lakeside views in Seattle. Big city living in Chicago. Laid-back Southern charm in Charlotte. The best cities for remote workers are the ones you truly want to call home — even if you’re only there for a quick adventure.

Here are the 10 best cities based on affordability, amenities for online workers (like coworking spaces and digital nomad communities), and local culture:

1. Tampa, Florida

Calling Tampa the best small town for remote workers might be a stretch. But with a population just below 400,000, it’s the smallest city on the list. 

Despite its size, there’s plenty of potential for digital nomads and remote workers to get in on the ground floor of shaping the city’s growing business culture. Plus, year-round summer weather is a big pro when living in Tampa. 

Affordability: Quick population growth is causing a housing squeeze. Although it’s cheaper than Miami, Tampa is the least affordable city in Florida relative to average income.

Coworking scene: All those new residents created a budding coffee scene, with plenty of coffee shops across the city to enjoy a cortado during your Zoom meeting. Workspaces like Hyde Park Public Studio have private meeting rooms, open coworking spaces, and studios for digital creators.

2. Nashville, Tennessee

Country music? Cowboy hats? Barbecue? Nashville’s calling your name — and with a twang. After all, it’s the country music capital of the world. And with so many craft breweries, live music venues, and outdoor activities, one obvious pro of living in Nashville is it’s hard to get bored. 

Affordability: Nashville’s cost of living is just below the national average, making it fairly affordable for people with remote jobs looking for a city with plenty of cultural offerings. 

Coworking scene: Nashville has a healthy startup and investment culture, especially in the health-tech scene. For remote workers, there are plenty of WeWork locations and a growing public Wi-Fi system to access the internet when you’re on the go. 

3. Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia is one of the best states for remote workers, with many cities actively pursuing freelancers and nomads. Columbus will even pay you to relocate. And the budding tech scene is a huge reason to move to Atlanta. “The Silicon Valley of the South” has a diverse population, historic food and arts scene, and budding startup ecosystem, making it a great city for digital nomads seeking a strong work-life balance. 

Affordability: Atlanta toes the line when it comes to the cost of living. It sits right at the national average. Expect lower rent and utilities, although food and healthcare are more expensive.

Coworking scene: Atlanta has 22 coworking spaces for every 100,000 residents, more than any other city in the country. There are plenty of boutique coworking spaces ranging from private offices to collaborative community spaces to network. And if you’re working from home, Atlanta has one of the country’s best broadband connections. 

4. Austin, Texas

Remote workers love Austin’s mix of big-city amenities and classic Southern charm. Known for an abundance of outdoor activities, friendly residents, and a diverse cultural scene, Austin is a great city to temporarily call home. 

Affordability: Austin is expensive by Texas standards but just below the national average. Although you pay more in rent, one pro of living in this city is lower prices for groceries, transport, and healthcare.

Coworking scene: Austin’s job market is booming, with massive companies like Apple, IBM, and Adobe rubbing elbows with a healthy startup culture. There’s also an extensive network of incubators and coworking spaces that offer opportunities to collaborate and innovate. 

5. Portland, Oregon

It’s easy to cultivate a strong work-life balance in a laid-back city like Portland. The city is surrounded by national forests and insulated with a vibrant food and arts scene, making it the perfect spot for nature lovers and city slickers alike. 

Affordability: The cost of living in Portland is 22% more expensive than the national average, especially when it comes to housing. But if you’re looking for a city on the Pacific Coast, it’s the best place to live for remote workers who don’t want the high price tags of its California and Washington neighbors. 

Coworking scene: There are hundreds of cafes, bookshops, and coworking spaces in the area. It’s also one of the first big cities to offer free Wi-Fi in public spaces, a big pro of living in Portland. 

6. Chicago, Illinois

Remote workers looking for the amenities of a big city without the chaos of New York City or the urban spread of Los Angeles should make the move to Chicago. There are 20 miles of lakefront parks and beaches, which give the city a relaxed vibe and add to the benefits of its vibrant music, sports, and food scenes. 

Affordability: Chicago’s cost of living is 24% higher than the national average. But it’s still less expensive than other big cities on the East Coast, like New York City, Boston, or Washington, D.C. 

Coworking scene: Whether you’re in Wicker Park or Lincoln Park, spaces like Rent24 and WeWork make coworking in Chicago easy and convenient.

7. Seattle, Washington 

The Emerald City has one of the best public park systems in the nation. And if you don’t have time to head out to Mt. Rainier or Olympic National Park, you’re always within a 10-minute walk of a green space. When the weather is gloomy (which is often), there are plenty of coffee shops and bars to hang out at. 

Affordability: A major con of living in Seattle is that it’s one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. Expect higher costs across the board, including housing, transport, and healthcare. 

Coworking scene: There’s no shortage of coworking spaces and coffee shops to camp out. Plus, a historic start-up scene offers plenty of meet-up opportunities to network, partner, or secure investment funds. 

8. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the U.S. — and one of its youngest. The average resident is in their mid-30s, making it an exciting place for young digital nomads. If you can handle the summer heat, Phoenix’s desert hikes, a growing arts scene, and mild winters are just a few benefits of living here. 

Affordability: The cost of living in Phoenix is on par with the national average, although much cheaper than comparable cities in California and Texas. 

Coworking scene: Phoenix is teeming with diverse coworking spaces, including women-owned spots like Galvanize and spaces that let you rent by the day, like Coworking on 15th.

9. Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville isn’t just the biggest city in Florida. It’s one of the largest cities in the U.S. The 841 square miles mean plenty of beaches, gardens, and trails to explore after hours. Plus, there are so many attractions and cultural experiences that you’ll feel like staying for months (if not years).

Affordability: All that space doesn’t mean bigger prices. Living in Jacksonville is cheaper than the national average, especially in healthcare, transport, and housing. 

Coworking scene: Although coworking spaces surround the downtown area, there are office rentals all over the city. There’s even 24-hour access in places like LiquidSpace and Regus for that intercontinental conference call.

10. Charlotte, North Carolina

Delicious food. A strong job market. Southern charm and modern city life. Where do we sign? Charlotte is one of the best places for remote workers looking for city vibes without the city attitude. 

Affordability: The cost of living in Charlotte sits just below the national average, but the good news is that you’ll see the biggest savings in housing, utilities, and transportation. 

Coworking scene: Charlotte’s coworking spaces take amenities seriously. CoCoTiv has a fitness center, The Connect hosts regular career development events, and Expansive has a mother’s room with privacy and pumping stations. Talk about Southern hospitality. 

Where Should I Live If I Work Remotely?

Before packing everything into a suitcase (or even a U-Haul), here are a few things to consider:

1. Consider Location Restrictions

Traffic, cultural offerings, and weather can all make significant impacts on your day-to-day life. Making a list of the most important amenities can help you decide if a new city makes the cut. 

2. Understand What Lifestyle You Want

Working from anywhere gives you the opportunity to experience new lifestyles. But they might not always be a match. Consider what you want outside of work hours, like an active social life or weekend escapes into the great outdoors, and search accordingly.

3. Think About What You Want to Achieve

Align the location with your current and long-term career goals. Weigh them out against potential opportunities in the local business community. You might even realize you’d rather hop from place to place to explore the world with more freedom.

Get Ready To Roam With Landing

All you have to worry about is getting a job where you can work from anywhere. Landing will handle the rest. It can help you find a fully furnished apartment with good internet in a neighborhood you love — with flexible leases and personalized service. Landing has listings in all the best places to work remotely in the U.S. Become a member today and stay for as long as you feel like roaming.