Top 6 U.S. Metro Areas for Remote Workers

Remote workers should be able to feel more secure in their jobs. Agency directory DesignRush recently conducted a study analyzing housing costs, percentages of remote workers, and broadband connection costs using U.S. Census Bureau and Federal Communications Commission data to identify the best U.S. locations for remote workers. The study ranks each metro area with a “remote working sustainability index,” providing a score from 0-100 (100 being the highest) based on the above-mentioned factors. Here are the top six metro areas for remote workers.

Corvallis, Oregon

Coming in at sixth on the list is Corvallis, Oregon. There, around 13.3% of people are currently working from home with a remote working sustainability index of 70.5. In Corvallis, the average housing cost is around $1,206.50 per month, which comes close to matching the national average of $1,203.50 a month. A high-speed internet connection will cost you around $64.99 a month, which is 30% below the national average cost.

Corvallis has something for just about everyone. For starters, it features numerous locations for outdoor adventures such the Willamette River Water Trail or the Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail. The city also features theaters for those looking to take in a show or a concert, while its museums provide a space for enthusiasts to go a view art. Downtown Corvallis is home to many fine dining spots, breweries, shops, and historical buildings, making it perfect for weekend adventures.

Punta Gorda, Florida

Punta Gorda matches Corvallis, Oregon with a remote working sustainability index of 70.5. In Punta Gorda, around 12% of people are working remotely and the average housing cost is $908.50 per month, 25% lower than the national average, making Punta Gorda one of the most affordable places to live on the list. As far as your high-speed internet is concerned, you can expect to spend around $76.89 a month, which is a bit more expensive than some other entries on this list.

If you’re into fishing, then you’ll love Punta Gorda. Known as one of the top fishing destinations in the world, it features numerous bodies of water to be explored. There are also plenty of outdoor attractions such as the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, and the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary. For those with an interest in art, there are a number of museums, theaters, and art galleries to visit.

Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon features a remote working sustainability index of 70.9. When compared to other entries on the list it’s also got a higher percentage of people working remotely at 15%, and a low average monthly cost for high-speed internet, at $64.99. The reason why Bend’s remote working sustainability index isn’t higher is due to its comparatively high housing costs at $1,419.50 a month, which is 18% above the national average.

For adventurers, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities in Bend; from the hiking trails of Towering Tumalo Falls and surfing at Bend Whitewater Park, to the picnic areas at Hollinshead Park and the wildlife at the Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area. If you’re a history buff, you might enjoy visiting the Old Mill District and its numerous restaurants, stores, and theaters. Bend also holds the distinction of having the last Blockbuster Video location in existence, so if you’d like to rent movies the old-fashioned way, you’re in luck.

Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas

Our fourth entry comprises multiple cities, and the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metro area has a remote working sustainability index of 71.2. The percentage of people who work remotely is 16.8%, and the average monthly housing cost is around $1,503, making the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metro area 25% more expensive than the national average. The cost of high-speed internet may vary wildly, from anywhere between $75 to $125 per month.

Since this entry features multiple locations, the sheer number of activities, attractions, and locations would be too vast to list here. For fans of the outdoors there’s Old Settlers Park, Chisholm Trail Crossing Park, and Inner Space Cavern, just to name a few. There are also many amusement parks, such as the Rock ‘N River Water Park and the Kalahari Resort. In terms of restaurants, nightlife, museums, and art culture, there are a multitude of locations to visit, depending on where you live.

Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina

Coming in second on the list is the Raleigh-Cary metro area. Like our last entry, this one is made up of multiple areas with the city of Raleigh and the town of Cary. The remote working sustainability index in this area is 73.4 and the percentage of people working from home is 16.8%, 73% above the national average. The reason the overall score in this area isn’t higher is due to a relatively high cost of living at an average of $1,304 a month, and an average high-speed internet cost of $94.99 per month.

The Raleigh-Cary metro area is home to many attractions, such as the James B. Hunt Library, which is known as being one of the most advanced libraries in the world due to its architecture and high-tech features including robotic librarians (yes, seriously). For those with a taste for nightlife, downtown Raleigh features a variety of restaurants, cafes, and taverns, while outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous hiking spots across the Raleigh-Cary metro area.

Boulder, Colorado

The number one location on the list is Boulder, Colorado. The remote working sustainability index is 77.5 and the percentage of people working from home is 20.8%, a whopping 114% above the national average. When compared to some other entries on the list, the average monthly high-speed internet bill is quite low at $71.88; however, the average monthly housing cost is 42% above the national average, at $1,709.50.

Once again, outdoor enthusiasts make out like bandits in Boulder Colorado, with numerous places to visit and adventures to go on. There’s the hiking trails of The Flatirons and Eldorado Canyon State Park, and numerous mountain tours to take part in. If you’re into drinking tea, you could visit the Celestial Seasonings Factory in Boulder, and for those who are serious weather enthusiasts there’s the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Art lovers can check out the Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art, which houses the largest privately owned collection of post-1950s Western-themed artwork.