Atlanta is the nation’s best work-from-home city, according to a ranking system established by CoworkingCafe.
Thanks to the increasing opportunities to work remotely, waves of workers have made their way across the country to live in cities with more affordable housing and higher qualities of living.
CoworkingCafe looked at 11 criteria divided into four groups: infrastructure, connection, economy, and remote work. These included the percentage of remote employees, coworking space availability, broadband internet connectivity, and available salaries.
Atlanta took first place in the ranking with 72.3 points out of a possible 100. With almost 30% of its employees working remotely, it had a solid telecommuting culture that contributed to its success.
Strong remote numbers and a record-breaking 679 entertainment venues per 100,000 residents established the Georgia city as a top location for leisure activities and remote work.
Atlanta also has the most significant number of coworking spaces in the U.S., with 22 per 100,000 residents, demonstrating its strong infrastructure support for flexible work arrangements.
In addition, the city's high density of public Wi-Fi hot spots (30 per 100,000 inhabitants) contributes to its allure, creating an atmosphere that supports productive remote work and encourages businesses to adopt decentralized workspaces.
Seattle’s Airports and High Salaries Earn Second Place
Just two points behind Atlanta, Seattle earned second place for similar reasons. With no less than 36% of the working population telecommuting, Seattle also boasts a thriving remote work culture, leading the way for the rest of the nation regarding adopting flexible work.
Salaries were also a strong argument for a remote job in Seattle: The $73,500 median income here placed the city in the same league as Washington, D.C., in this regard.
Additionally, with five airports within a 70-mile radius, Seattle is also a viable place for hybrid employees who can get away with just a few office visits every year, thereby escaping the city’s otherwise quite disheartening cost of living (which is almost 49% above the national average).
Arlington Impresses With High Income and Low Unemployment
In third place, Arlington, Virginia, is a top location for remote workers. Its $87,000 median income was the highest in the nation, providing a profitable environment for professionals, particularly in the government and tech sectors.
Arlington, which is only slightly behind Seattle, with 38.5% reporting as remote workers, indicates a robust remote work culture.
Apart from its economic benefits, Arlington was unique in providing job security, having the lowest unemployment rate of the top 10 cities at just 2%.
In addition, Arlington welcomes the digital world by offering top-notch access for distant professionals with a staggering 99.2% broadband Internet coverage.
