The 10 Best Cities in the U.S. for Remote Workers

By Bri Hand | Mar 2, 2022

Working from home can be a luxury, from spending less time commuting in early-morning traffic to attending Zoom meetings in your sweatpants and having plenty of time to brew your perfect cup of joe. Plus, the only person you have to share your office with is your cuddly cat (even if she does interrupt your conference calls by trying to sit on your keyboard from time to time).

As a remote digital nomad, you can work from virtually anywhere, which means you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding your new home. But what are the best cities for remote workers in the U.S.? While you may think you need to live in well-known places like New York City or San Francisco, you’ll find that you can find the same big-city amenities in far more affordable cities.

To help you navigate your next move, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best cities to move to if you work from home based on their affordability, availability of co-working spaces, and fun things to do, including:

Cincinnati, Ohio
Chicago, Illinois
Nashville, Tennessee
Greenville, South Carolina
Atlanta, Georgia
Austin, Texas
Phoenix, Arizona
Sacramento, California
Portland, Oregon
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ready to go remote? Let’s get started!

1. Cincinnati, Ohio

If you’re surprised to see Cincinnati as a destination on this list, think again! Aside from being one of the fastest-growing economic hubs in the midwest, it’s also a charming town with big-city appeal. Residents love Cincinnati’s gorgeous public parks, stunning historic architecture, and enviable food and beer scene.

For those working remotely, Cincinnati offers:

Affordability: You won’t break the bank living in Cincinnati. The city routinely ranks among the top 10 most affordable cities in the United States.

Coworking scene: Remote doesn’t always mean from home, and Cincinnati’s booming co-working scene proves it. Places like 1628 LTD offer top-notch business essentials like fast internet speed, scanning, and printing, while spaces like Fueled Collective and The Eddy offer studio space, cafes, game rooms, and even fitness classes.

2. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a major city that boasts spectacular urban settings and nearly 20 miles of sparkling lakefront. Add that to the best big-city perks like fantastic food, amazing coffee shops, thrilling nightlife, and enough entertainment and cultural options to satisfy any interests, and you have one excellent place for a remote worker to explore.

Here’s why Chicago’s such a great destination:

Affordability: Chicago’s cost of living is higher than the national average but much lower than the country’s other major metropolises.

Coworking scene: No matter where you are in the city, there’s a coworking space nearby. Whether you’re downtown or Uptown, in Wicker Park or Lincoln Park, spaces like Rent24, WeWork, and Human Citizen Workplace, make coworking in Chicago easy and convenient.

Not sure how you’d fare in the big city? The nearby suburbs of Oak Park and Naperville are also great places for working remotely, and you’ll still be close enough to travel to the city via public transportation when you want.

3. Nashville, Tennessee

It’s understandable if Nashville makes you think of cowboy boots and country songs. After all, it is the country music capital of the world! You’d have to work pretty hard to get bored in this remote-friendly city, between its craft breweries, live music venues, and outdoor activities.

Nashville is also one of the country’s fastest-growing cities, which means it’s undergoing a lot of change. The city will always attract more than its share of rock ‘n’ roll hopefuls, but nowadays, it’s also drawing residents from industries like technology and healthcare and is home to a burgeoning start-up culture.

Nashville offers those working remotely:

Affordability: Nashville’s cost of living is just barely above the national average, making it fairly affordable for people with remote jobs, especially when you consider everything the city has to offer.

Coworking scene: Nashville might be known for its music, but in a few years, its flourishing coworking spaces might be all anyone’s talking about, with plenty of WeWork locations throughout the city (with free Wi-Fi!) and other coworking spaces with top-tier amenities that support and promote remote work.

4. Greenville, South Carolina

With a population below 70,000 people, Greenville is a small city with big appeal. In fact, Livability.com ranked it at No. 10 on its 2019 list of the best places to live. Its residents are primarily young professionals who rent their homes, making it a great option for people working remotely.

Restaurants, public parks, and coffee shops abound in Greenville. Rounding out the entertainment options are historic and culinary tours, museums, live theater, and more.

Here’s where this destination stands when it comes to other factors important to remote workers:

Affordability: It might not seem right that a place as beautiful as Greenville should be so affordable, but you’ll be glad to know that the cost of living is comfortably below the national average.

Coworking scene: For a smaller city, Greenville has a decent amount of coworking locations, some with memberships starting at as low as $100 per month.

5. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is among the best cities to live in for digital nomads, known for its diverse population, killer food and drink scene, and wide-ranging entertainment options—from live theater to comedy clubs to professional sports.

This place also gets high marks in other key areas for those working remotely, like:

Affordability: Atlanta toes the line when it comes to the cost of living, sitting almost right at the national average.

Coworking scene: Like many large cities, Atlanta is making strides in the number of coworking spaces it can offer remote workers. From private offices to collaborative spaces to podcast studios, Atlanta has it all.

6. Austin, Texas

Austin is the cultural heart of Texas, and remote workers love its mix of big-city amenities and classic Texas charm. Known for its great weather, friendly residents, and scenic beauty, Austin is a great place for remote work and meeting new people.

And, with an average of 228 sunny days every year, it’s the perfect place to get outdoors after a day of remote work. Vibrant restaurant, entertainment, and nightlife scenes make Austin even more appealing.

This city also offers remote workers:

Affordability: Austin is slightly more expensive than other cities in Texas, just above the national average. But you’ll save money on necessities like healthcare, groceries, and utilities while you’re in town.

Coworking scene: With millennials flocking to Austin in ever greater numbers—and the tech industry following suit—the city’s coworking spaces are rising to meet the challenge.

7. Phoenix, Arizona

A growing tech community and a population that skews younger (the average Phoenix resident is in their early 30s) are just some of the factors that make Phoenix one of the best cities for remote workers. From desert hikes and golf courses to waterparks and museums, Phoenix will impress you with its opportunities for fun and leisure.

Working a remote job? You’ll love this city’s:

Affordability: The cost of living in Phoenix is less than the national average. Groceries and healthcare are also less expensive.

Coworking scene: Thanks to its entrepreneurial spirit and startup-friendly environment, Phoenix is teeming with coworking spaces. The city offers female-driven spaces, tech-based spaces like Galvanize, and spaces that let you rent by the day like Coworking on 15th. Phoenix is a place that’s all about options!

8. Sacramento, California

Sacramento started as a small mining town during the Gold Rush of the 1800s. Now, it’s a thriving and diverse business center and job hub, drawing freelancers and remote workers of all kinds. However, it’s not all work and no play in Sacramento. Vibrant arts and culture, great nightlife, and excellent restaurant options make it an equally fantastic place to let loose.

Remote workers love its:

Affordability: Sacramento is cheaper than most of California’s other large cities. The cost of renting is in line with the national average, while the cost of things like healthcare and utilities is slightly below average.

Coworking scene: Sacramento is somewhat ahead of the curve when it comes to coworking spaces, offering everything from the trendy and popular The Urban Hive to more straightforward, classic spots like Capsity—plus dozens of other options.

9. Portland, Oregon

The casual nature of remote work matches the laid-back vibe of Portland, making it one of the best cities for remote workers. Appealing to nature lovers and city slickers alike, it combines art, culture, and entertainment with outdoor fun, with plenty to explore.

Portland offers:

Affordability: Overall, Portland ranks above the national average regarding affordability, but it’s cheaper than Seattle, another popular city in the Pacific Northwest.

Coworking scene: Coworking spaces dominate in Portland, from downtown to North Portland and every neighborhood in between.

10. Albuquerque, New Mexico

The eclectic gem of the southwest is a great place to live and work remotely. Infused with the unique charm of southwest culture, it’s also home to many colleges and universities. Great weather and a diverse geography mean ample outdoor fun, while nightclubs, pool halls, and trendy bars and breweries are after-work and nightlife staples of downtown Albuquerque.

Here’s how it stacks up:

Affordability: From groceries to utilities to transportation costs, Albuquerque’s cost of living is well below the national average, making it one of the most affordable U.S. cities on this list.

Coworking scene: Albuquerque is full of top-notch coworking spaces to match any vibe. FreeRange, Fat Pipe, and the State Theater Building are just a few of the many options for people with remote jobs.

Best cities for remote workers: Honorable mentions

Looking for more cities that offer great opportunities for remote workers and the digital nomad community? Check out our honorable mentions below:

Landing: The best apartments in the best cities

With so many options for great cities for remote workers, deciding which one is best might just mean you have to try them all.

With Landing, you can! Our nationwide network of fully furnished apartments is extensive and constantly growing, with apartments in over 375 cities throughout the U.S. When you become a member of the Landing network, you gain access to:

Flexible lease terms: With our flexible, short-term leases, you’ll never feel tied down to one city.

Easy transfers: When you’re ready to try out the next best city on the list, you can easily transfer your lease to another Landing in our network.

Ready to roam? Join us today!

Bri Hand

Bri Hand is Landing's Content Marketing Manager. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with her partner and dog, Arlo, but relishes any opportunity she can to travel so she can try new foods, see gorgeous sights, and daydream about living somewhere new after visiting there for less than 24 hours.