20 Best Cities for Remote Workers

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that work can actually be done from home and off-site locations like coffee shops. Here are the top US cities for today’s remote-friendly lifestyle.

By: Erin Gifford

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Remote Work Is Here to Stay

There’s no question that there’s been a shift toward remote work. For many, it was no choice at the start of the pandemic, but a full-stop return to the office is not likely going to happen. Remote work is here for the long haul, and for those considering a new home base for your remote lifestyle, we’ve got you covered.

LawnStarter set out to identify the best US cities for remote workers. They looked at factors like median incomes, crime rates and cost of living, as well as accessibility to co-working spaces, high-speed internet connectivity, even food delivery services. Here is the ranked list of the top US cities for laptop-toting remote workers.

20. Portland, Oregon

Portland is unique. Some say weird, and by many accounts, the town wants to keep it that way. Portland is known for its beer, its donuts, Portlandia, and much more, like its abundance of green spaces and its famous White Stag sign, which is one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. Portland is also known for being a no sales tax state, which is an easy quality to love whether you work from home or in an office. Portland’s got a serious coffee culture, too, so be ready to plant yourself at Case Study Coffee Roasters or Tov Coffee for your next Zoom call.

19. Carrollton, Texas

Just 30 minutes north of Dallas is Carrollton, Texas. It’s close to larger-than-life Dallas, but, you know, not too close. For some, Carrollton feels worlds away with its vast green spaces and quaint historic district. There’s a lot to do without leaving town, too, like birding at Elm Fork Nature Preserve and cooling off at Oak Hills Splash Park. At Sam Houston Trail Park, a 22-mile path along the Trinity River is perfect for a walk, a bike ride or a stroll with your pup. In the historic district, bring your laptop to work for a few hours at Lemma Coffee Co.

18. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne is a safe, affordable Midwest city with great public schools and plenty of outdoor recreation options. At Promenade Park, take in a concert at the Sweetwater Bandshell or sail away on a replica canal boat called the Sweet Breeze. You can also rent a kayak or canoe from Fort Wayne Outfitters to get out on the water. Public art is popular in Fort Wayne as new murals are added each month to beautify public downtown spaces. To date, there are more than 150 murals and sculptures along the city’s Public Art Trail.

17. El Paso, Texas

El Paso is a bustling border town with a lot to offer, including a can’t-miss culinary scene that spans oak-smoked barbecue at Desert Oak Barbecue to vegan street food at Lick it Up. Known as Sun City, El Paso has 297 sunny days each year, making it easy to get outside at Franklin Mountains State Park, whether mountain biking on the Sotol Loop or exploring caves on the Aztec Caves Trail. There are lots of dog-friendly patios, like Eloise, when you want to get out with your pup.

16. San Antonio

San Antonio is known for its rich history, like the Alamo and the San Antonio Missions, but there’s plenty of kid-friendly fun like SeaWorld San Antonio. The San Antonio River Walk is also incredibly popular, whether for a stroll or a narrated river boat cruise. There’s plenty to do outside, too, like tubing at Paradise Canyon and jogging at Brackenridge Park. As the self-described Culinary Capital of Texas, you can bet that there are plenty of delicious restaurants, as well as local specialties, like chilaquiles (breakfast nachos), puffy tacos and chicken-on-a-stick.

15. Dallas

Dallas is home to the Dallas Arts District, the largest urban arts district in the US. Spread across 20 square blocks, this walkable neighborhood features art museums, an opera house, a ballet company, a sculpture center and even an arts magnet high school. As the birthplace of the frozen margarita, Dallas is also known for the Margarita Mile, which features more than 20 cocktail bars and restaurants serving up hand-crafted margs. You’ll want a basket of chips if you want to walk this mile.

14. Naperville, Illinois

Less than one hour west of Chicago, the bustling suburb of Naperville has a lot to offer remote workers on its own, though its relatively close proximity to Lake Michigan is a bonus. This family-friendly suburb frequently ranks among the top places to live in the US. It’s got great public schools and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities to get yourself and your kids outside. In town, the Riverwalk is popular with those eager for a mid-day stroll. Seven theaters and music halls, like the Wentz Concert Hall, make it easy to get out and get cultured after work or on the weekends.

13. Nashville

In Nashville, live music is on tap 365 days a year at more than two dozen venues on the four-block Honky Tonk Highway, as well as at more intimate music spaces across the area, like the Bluebird Café. The art scene is surprisingly robust, too, making an impression with art crawls, performance art, architecture and formal gardens, like those at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Nashville’s also got award-winning cuisine and even a Michelin-starred chef at the helm at Yolan. Of course, there’s hot chicken, too, and the place that started it all: Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack.

Learn More: Nashville City Guide: The 15+ Best Things to See and Do

12. Houston

Houston has received many accolades over the years for its medical care, quality of life, food scene, and baseball, basketball and soccer teams that have taken home championship titles. In Houston, your tastebuds will be wowed by barbecue and Tex-Mex, as well as margaritas and mezcal. There’s lots of free stuff to do, too, like outdoor performances, art museums, skate parks and green spaces like the Emancipation Park Conservancy. A cowboy town at heart, Houston is home to the world’s largest rodeo.

11. Raleigh, North Carolina

Not only does Raleigh wow with affordable living and good salaries, as well as low crime, but it’s also a town with hidden gems to explore, like Robertson Millpond Preserve. Here you’ll find a blackwater swamp that’s just right for kayaking amid beautiful cypress trees. Hiking is also notable in Raleigh thanks to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the state’s longest hiking trail, which cuts through North Raleigh. The food scene is huge, too. In-town favorites include Humble Pie and Oakwood Pizza Box. More than 30 local breweries make the Raleigh Beer Trail a must-visit.

10. Charlotte, North Carolina

As the local tourism bureau says, Charlotte’s Got a Lot, including delicious restaurants, music festivals, craft breweries and historic attractions. There’s even a US National Whitewater Center, which offers world-class rafting, as well as a ropes course, ice skating, mountain biking and yoga. This is definitely the place to go for a little mid-week stress relief. In the Queen City, you’ll also find food trucks, live music venues and plenty of retail therapy, including outlet shops, farmers' markets and vintage finds at Sleepy Poet Antique Mall.

9. Jacksonville, Florida

For sun and fun — when you’re not working — Jacksonville is the place to be for miles of sandy beaches, as well as serene intracoastal waterways that are just right for a paddle. Celebrate the end of the work day by exploring the Jax Ale Trail, which features more than 20 local craft breweries across town. On weekends, learn to surf, watch the sunrise, get in a round at a world-class golf course or tour historic neighborhoods like Murray Hill and Brooklyn. Green spaces are tops here, too, thanks to more than 400 national, state and city parks in the Jacksonville area.

8. Kansas City, Missouri

If you like Kansas City barbecue, you can easily step away from your laptop to a different local joint for burnt ends, pulled pork and brisket each day of the week. Now that’s a reason on its own to work remotely from Kansas City. Beyond barbecue, Kansas City is noted for professional sports, public art works and plenty of activities, like the Kauffman Memorial Garden and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Nicknamed the City of Fountains, Kansas City has more than 200 spectacular fountains, including the renowned Mill Creek Fountain, where you can clear your head as you seek out and revel in them.

7. Austin, Texas

There’s so much to love about Austin, whether you’re a fan of food, music, street art or vintage retail. Austin is also home to the Texas State Capitol and the University of Texas, so there’s a huge diversity of things to do and see in this awesome and eclectic destination in Central Texas. Take a stroll mid-day and you’ll likely pass one or more of the dozens of colorful murals across town. As the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World, you can take in a live concert, show or festival every night of the week.

6. Durham, North Carolina

In Durham, there are plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, including rock climbing, paddling, hiking and cycling. There’s always a way to get outside during the work week, whether a bike ride on the 22.6-mile American Tobacco Trail or a paddle at Lake Michie. As the home to Duke University, Durham features the plentiful amenities of a college town including a robust art scene, galleries, theater performances and art museums. Stroll the American Tobacco Campus, which has retail, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and, of course, plenty of free Wi-Fi.

5. Seattle

Need a cup of coffee as an afternoon pick-me-up? You are definitely covered in Seattle, which is home to nearly 400 coffee shops and the very first Starbucks, located at Pike Place Market. With the constant flow of tourists at this waterfront Starbucks, you’ll likely get more work done at the design-forward Seattle Public Library. This library may be the most Instagram-worthy library in the world, but it’s also a quiet place to work. Of course, this urban enclave also has plenty of museums, music festivals, green spaces and sporting events.

4. Atlanta

At the end of the work day, or even mid-day, it’s a cinch to find and enjoy green spaces in Atlanta, including popular urban parks like Piedmont Park, a great spot if you want to enjoy lunch on a park bench or a shaded patch of grass. Atlanta’s Buford Highway is renowned for international flavors that range from Cajun to Cantonese to Salvadoran. Of course, history is king, too. As in, Martin Luther King Jr. Atlanta is home to the civil rights activist’s birthplace home, as well as the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and one of the country's best museums, the High Museum of Art.

3. Tampa

Whether you like sports, theme parks, beaches or public art, you’ll find all of those and more in Tampa. Once you close your laptop for the day, unwind with a stroll along the 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk, which sidles up against the Hillsborough River. Home to several championship-winning sports teams, there’s always a game to watch, whether from stadium seating or a stool at a popular sports bar like The Blind Goat. Gulf beaches, like Clearwater Beach, are less than an hour away, but bay beaches, like Davis Beach, are an easy 15-minute drive from downtown.

2. Frisco, Texas

There are a lot of ways to keep busy in Frisco, including setting up your laptop for a few hours of caffeinated work at the wildly popular Summer Moon Coffee on Main Street. For sports fans, Frisco is home to FC Dallas and the Frisco RoughRiders, a Minor League Baseball team that took the league championship in 2022. Thanks to more than 70 miles of hiking and biking trails, it’s easy to get out and clear your mind in nature. Lush greenery and winding walkways at the Texas Sculpture Garden are also popular, allowing public access to more than 40 works of art.

1. Plano, Texas

Plano ranked No. 1 in LawnStarter’s study of the best cities for remote work, excelling in a number of areas, including affordability, median income and broadband connectivity. Work from home or tote your laptop over to The Boardwalk at Granite Park, a trendy waterfront park that’s a go-to for brunch, beers and even biscuit creations, like Biscuit French Toast, at The Biscuit Bar. Outdoor activities are plentiful, too, whether you want to hike or bike at the tree-lined Arbor Hills Nature Preserve or stroll the Plano Art Walk.