10 Best Places to Live for Remote Workers in the U.S. in 2026
Find your perfect remote work city with salary data, cost comparisons, and community insights.
- Top cities for remote workers
- 1. Austin, TX: Best for tech workers and creatives
- 2. Denver, CO: Best for outdoor enthusiasts
- 3. Boulder, CO: Best for mountain lifestyle
- 4. Seattle, WA: Best for coffee culture
- 5. Atlanta, GA: Best for budget-friendly living
- 6. New York City, NY: Best for culture and energy
- 7. San Francisco, CA: Best for tech networking
- 8. Portland, OR: Best for creative communities
- 9. Charlotte, NC: Best for affordable big-city living
- 10. Scottsdale, AZ: Best for year-round sunshine
- Factors to Consider When Choosing a Remote Work Destination
- Remote workers FAQs
Looking for the perfect city for your remote work lifestyle? As a digital nomad, you need more than just a good Wi-Fi connection. The top remote work destinations nail the trifecta of affordable living, reliable connectivity, and vibrant communities where you can actually meet people and build relationships. Take a look and see which city matches your vibe.
This list is not ranked. Each city stands out for a different type of remote worker, from affordability to lifestyle to job market access.
TL;DR
- Seattle and San Francisco lead with the highest remote worker percentages (36% and 33%)
- San Francisco has the highest average salary at $72,858/year, but also the highest costs
- Charlotte and Scottsdale provide big-city amenities without the big-city price tag
- All cities have reliable internet and coworking spaces, so choose based on weather, budget, and lifestyle
Top cities for remote workers
1. Austin, TX: Best for tech workers and creatives
- Population: 993,588
- Average salary: $62,132 /year
- Percentage of remote workers: 30.7%
Austin has got that “keep it weird” energy everyone talks about, plus serious tech credentials for digital nomads and freelancers. Coffee shops actually want you to work there (not just buy and leave), and you’ll bump into other people who work remotely everywhere.
The work environment is perfect for startups and remote jobs. Fair warning: traffic’s getting worse, but most remote workers just avoid rush hour anyway.
Best for: Tech workers, creatives, people who want community without the high price tag.
If you’re considering making the move to this vibrant tech hub, you might want to learn about renters insurance in Austin to protect your belongings in your new workspace.
2. Denver, CO: Best for outdoor enthusiasts
- Population: 729,019
- Average salary: $64,071 /year
- Remote workers: 26%
Denver is the perfect place if you want to close your laptop and actually do something outdoors. The Rockies are right there, the city has excellent walkability, and you can mountain bike or ski on weekends without planning a whole vacation. The work-life balance here is unmatched.
Plus, free Wi-Fi downtown, low crime rates, and an altitude gives you a legit reason to drink more water. The coworking spaces are solid, and people are genuinely friendly — not just Colorado nice. It’s one of the best cities for wellness-focused remote workers.
Best for:Outdoorsy types, people who need nature to stay sane, anyone tired of paying high rent.
Planning to embrace the Colorado lifestyle? Make sure to explore renters insurance options in Denver before you start your mountain adventures.
3. Boulder, CO: Best for mountain lifestyle
- Population: 106,803
- Average salary: $59,609 /year
- Remote workers: 32.5%
Boulder takes everything great about Colorado and cranks it up. You’re literally surrounded by mountains, the hiking trails start at the edge of town, and the outdoor culture is next level. Plus, the University of Colorado keeps things lively.
The downtown’s walkable with solid coffee shops, and there’s a surprising number of tech companies for a smaller city.
Best for: Serious outdoor enthusiasts, people who want small-town vibes with mountain access, health-conscious remote workers.
4. Seattle, WA: Best for coffee culture
- Population: 780,995
- Average salary: $68,536 /year
- Remote workers: 36%
If you’re the type who does your best work in a cozy cafe with rain tapping the windows, Seattle is your spot. The coffee culture is real (not just Starbucks), and every neighborhood has cafes built for working.
Sure, it’s cloudy, but you can walk to hiking trails and the water’s right there. Plus, no state income tax, which helps offset the higher rent.
Best for: Coffee lovers, people who don’t mind rain, anyone who wants city life with easy nature access.
Ready to join the coffee culture capital? Don’t forget to look into renters insurance in Seattle to keep your home office protected from those Pacific Northwest storms.
5. Atlanta, GA: Best for budget-friendly living
- Population: 520,070
- Average salary: $62,689 /year
- Remote workers: 26%
Atlanta gives you major city perks without the big-city cost of living. The food scene is incredible (seriously, the barbecue alone), and neighborhoods like Midtown and Inman Park are walkable with tons of cafes.
It’s also a major airport hub, so if you travel for work or just want to visit family, you can get anywhere. The summers are hot and humid, but that’s what air conditioning is for.
Best for: People who want urban amenities on a budget, foodies, anyone who travels frequently.
If this Southern gem fits your remote work dreams, you’ll want to check out renters insurance in Atlanta to protect your belongings while you explore the city’s incredible food scene.
6. New York City, NY: Best for culture and energy
- Population: 8,478,072
- Average salary: $69,230 /year
- Remote workers: 13%
If you can swing the rent, NYC has everything. World-class coworking spaces, 24/7 everything, and you can work from Central Park on nice days (free Wi-Fi). The energy is unmatched.
Yes, it’s expensive. But if you’re earning a solid income or can split a place with roommates, it’s doable. Plus, no car needed, you have easy access to the subway that gets you everywhere.
Best for: People who thrive on energy and chaos, culture lovers, anyone who wants to be where things happen.
Thinking about taking on the Big Apple? Make sure to research renters insurance in New York City to protect your investment in this expensive but exciting market.
7. San Francisco, CA: Best for tech networking
- Population: 827,526
- Average salary: $72,858 /year
- Remote workers: 33%
San Francisco has the fastest and most reliable internet connection in the country and more coworking spaces than you can count. If you’re in tech, everyone’s here, and the networking opportunities are endless.
Best for: Tech workers with high salaries, people who prioritize career networking, anyone who values perfect weather.
If you’re ready to join the tech capital of the world, consider exploring renters insurance in San Francisco, to protect your valuable tech equipment and belongings in this high-cost city.
8. Portland, OR: Best for creative communities
- Population: 635,749
- Average salary: $63,159/year
- Remote workers: 26%
Portland has a high percentage of remote workers with more than 1 in 4 people working remotely. The city basically runs on coffee shops that double as offices, and the “keep Portland weird” vibe means nobody cares if you’re coding in pajamas at 3 PM.
Best for: Creative types, people who love food and beer culture, remote workers who want to be around lots of other remote workers.
Ready to keep things weird in Portland? You might want to learn about renters insurance in Portland to keep your creative workspace protected.
9. Charlotte, NC: Best for affordable big-city living
- Population: 943,476
- Average salary: $48,965/year
- Remote workers: 29.7%
Charlotte, North Carolina has quietly become one of the best remote work cities in the South. It’s got that big city infrastructure — major airport, solid public transit, tons of coworking spaces — without the crazy cost of living.
Best for:People who want big city amenities at reasonable prices, anyone who likes having mountains and beaches nearby, remote workers in finance or tech.
If this hidden gem sounds like your ideal remote work base, consider getting renters insurance in Charlotte to protect your belongings in this up-and-coming city.
10. Scottsdale, AZ: Best for year-round sunshine
- Population: 246,170
- Average salary: $61,479/year
- Remote workers: 27.7%
Scottsdale is where you go if you want year-round sunshine and don’t mind paying for it. The desert landscape is stunning, golf courses everywhere, and the coworking spaces are surprisingly sophisticated.
Best for:People who love heat and sunshine, golf enthusiasts, remote workers who want luxury amenities and don’t mind paying for them.
Planning to soak up the Arizona sun while you work? Make sure to explore renters insurance options in Scottsdale to protect your belongings in this desert paradise.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Remote Work Destination
The right city can boost your productivity and help you nail that work-life balance everyone talks about.
Cost of Living
Your salary goes a lot further in Charlotte than San Francisco. A $75k remote job feels very different in Denver versus NYC. Don’t forget about state taxes: Texas, Florida, and Washington don’t have income tax, which adds up.
Quality of Life
Think beyond work hours. Can you easily get healthcare? Are there things to do on weekends? If you need outdoor time to recharge, don’t move to a concrete jungle. If you thrive on cultural events, a small mountain town might leave you feeling isolated.
Internet Speed
This one’s non-negotiable for freelancers and digital nomads. Lagging video calls and slow file uploads will kill your productivity. Check average speeds (aim for at least 100 Mbps), but also ask locals about reliability. 200 Mbps doesn’t help if it goes out twice a week.
Availability of Coworking Spaces
Even if you plan to work from home, having coworking options matters for remote workers. They’re lifesavers when your home internet dies, you need a change of scenery, or you want to meet other people who work remotely.
Before we go…
Ready to make the move? Each of these cities has something different to offer, but they all nail the basics: reliable internet, reasonable costs, and real communities of people who get the remote work life.
Where you end up depends on what matters most to you, whether it’s mountain views, music scenes, desert sunshine, or just really good coffee. Either way, you’ve got options.
Remote workers FAQs
What if I don't know anyone in a new city?
Most of these cities have active remote worker meetups and co-working scenes. Austin and Denver especially — you’ll make friends fast. Search for “remote work [city name]” on Meetup or check out co-working spaces for events.
How much should I budget for a move?
Besides moving costs, factor in two to three months of higher expenses while you figure out neighborhoods, coffee spots, and routines. Also budget for deposits, setup costs, and eating out more while you find your groove.
Are smaller cities actually good for remote work?
Boulder and Scottsdale prove they can be. Smaller cities often have better internet infrastructure (less congestion), lower costs, and tight-knit remote worker communities. Just make sure they have the amenities you need.
How do I find coworking spaces before I move?
Check out each city’s coworking websites, read Google reviews, and join local remote worker Facebook groups or Slack channels. Most places offer day passes so you can try before committing.
Do I need a car in these cities?
Depends where you pick. NYC, Seattle, and Portland have solid public transit, you can ditch the car. Austin, Denver, and Charlotte are more car-friendly but doable without one if you stick to walkable neighborhoods. Scottsdale? You’ll probably want wheels.
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