12 Best US Cities to Crush Remote Work (and Actually Enjoy It)

Even though places in Asia and parts of Europe may be more well-known for having a cheap cost of living and digital nomad hubs, not all remote workers can just up and leave the states for “tax reasons.” So, in between sneaking in a trip to Mexico or the Caribbean, the US also has cities, large and small, that are conducive to that sweet work-life balance. 

Planning to pursue a remote worker opportunity, or lucky enough to already have one? Here are the 12 best cities for digital nomads in America that pass all the criteria, whether that’s the availability of coworking spots, low cost of living, or just plain fun.  

1. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia, is a bustling city that welcomes remote workers with open Southern hospitality arms. The cost of living is relatively low when compared to other major metropolitan cities, and coworking spaces and Wi-Fi hotspots are plentiful. 

This Georgian destination is great for those chasing work/life balance, with its vibrant music, arts, and restaurant scene. According to a Forbes Advisor analysis, Atlanta is in the top five cities for metropolitan areas with the best amenities for remote workers. 

Hartsfield International is also a major airport for travelers, and the city has a strong public transportation system. 

2. Miami, Florida

Who wouldn’t want to live the digital nomad lifestyle in the perpetual sun? Miami, Florida has beaches, world-class nightlife, and a culinary scene that will have you eating gourmet Indian today and food-truck tacos tomorrow. 

Miami is a popular city for remote workers, so you will find plenty of friends sharing Wi-Fi in its many coworking spaces. An added bonus of beautiful Florida is that the state has no personal income tax.

3. Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina has a rapidly growing remote worker community. The city is perfectly situated just three hours from the beach and two hours from the mountains, making it easy to do both on a single adventurous day!

This city lets you stretch your paycheck further with a cost of living about 3% lower than the national average, so you won’t blow it all on rent. Enjoy speedy internet and a booming scene of coworking spaces for all your hustle needs.

4. Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon, is a Pacific Northwest hub, buzzing with a growing crowd of remote workers! This city offers all the essentials you would expect from a major metropolitan city: lightning-fast internet, abundant hot spots, accessible public transport, and loads of coworking spaces. There are also plenty of museums, galleries, restaurants, and coffee shops to visit.

Portland has been named one of the top 25 cities for workers with disabilities. When you aren’t working, take a road trip to the incredible waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge or Forest Park.

5. Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, has a booming tech industry and a surprisingly large population of remote workers. When you’re off the clock, you can head to natural attractions nearby like Red Butte Garden and Sugar House Park. And if winter’s your jam, grab your gear and hit the slopes at any of the 10 snowy ski resorts just an hour away for some epic shredding! 

Salt Lake is a safe and walkable city with artisan coffee shops, restaurants galore, and a not-too-shabby nightlife. Wi-Fi is readily available, and if you pick the right coworking space, you can enjoy some fantastic mountain views. 

6. Dallas, Texas

Expect Dallas, Texas to have a relatively affordable living compared to much of the country. Multiple companies call Dallas home for their corporate headquarters, offering a job market as big as its Texas skies.

When you aren’t working, you’ll find lots to explore in Dallas, including one of the largest art districts in the US in Deep Ellum and a delicious culinary scene that may or may not result in eating way too much BBQ brisket.

7. Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington is known as a tech hub, so it naturally hosts a large number of remote workers. Lightning-fast internet is a given at the overflowing number of cozy coffee shops to work from. Love it or hate it, this is the city where Starbucks launched its global empire.

The city is super walkable, so ditch the car worries! When the rain hits or you’re just not feeling it, hop on the convenient public transport. On your days off, head to three National Parks, all within a three-hour drive, or hit the endless hiking trails surrounding the metropolis.

8. Jacksonville, Florida

For remote workers who love the beach, Jacksonville, Florida is sunny and mild all year and comes with a low cost of living. There isn’t a state income tax which can help your bottom line. 

Walk the city’s more than 20 miles of beaches before and after work, and there are plenty of excellent views to be distracted by while you work. You’ll discover loads of high-speed internet and an explosion of cool coworking spots. With tons of outdoor adventures and a buzzing arts scene, nailing that work-life balance should be easy!

9. St. Louis, Missouri

As one of the most dangerous cities in the country, St. Louis may not be the first place you think of as a dream digital nomad destination. But if you want to explore the Midwest, you can experience city living here on an affordable budget and a low tax rate of 2% to 4.95% for individuals. 

Crime is mostly concentrated in certain neighborhoods. Others, like the Delmar Loop will always be an entertaining stomping ground, with endless farm-to-table dining that is shockingly fantastic for a city of its size. I long to go back to John’s Donuts or eat Dip n’ Dots while cheering on the Cardinals.

When you aren’t working, go for a walk around the Missouri Botanical Garden or party at the bars in downtown St. Louis, which will almost always have a mechanical bull.

10. Tucson, Arizona

With over 350 sunny days a year, Tucson is where you go to escape winter forever. As a fairly outdoorsy town, just leave the city boundaries to hike and bike through the cacti of nearby Saguaro National Park.  

One of the most intriguing museums I’ve ever visited is just south, the Titan Missile Museum. Alternatively, you can head north for the big city vibes of Phoenix but live the luxury of having a lower cost of living.

One caveat: You may want to pack your laptop elsewhere for the summer months as the thermometer regularly hits over 100 degrees.

11. Omaha, Nebraska

If a solid work-life balance is important to you, Omaha, Nebraska could be your unsuspecting contender. The cost of living is low, with monthly housing costs averaging less than $2,000 per month. Work at coworking spaces and go to many trendy shops and restaurants after.

Omaha is a good place to look if you don’t have a remote job yet. Many big employers offer remote and hybrid career opportunities. 

12. Irving, Texas

Irving, Texas, is a great place if you want to be near a big city but not necessarily live in one. Thanks to its proximity to Dallas, Irving has a sizable remote worker population, and it’s even more affordable.

Prefer to spend some of your working hours outdoors? Irving has plenty of parks with lake and river views to soak in the sunshine while you work. The city has a large music and nightlife scene, and it’s only a 15-minute drive to the airport if you need to travel for work. 

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