The Top 15 Cities for Remote Workers in 2023

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Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on LawnStarter.

Freedom of location is one of the biggest perks of remote work. With a strong Wi-Fi connection, you could take Zoom calls from a beachside villa, a mountaintop chalet, or a lawn chair in your backyard.

To help you find the optimal spot for your telecommuter lifestyle, LawnStarter ranked 2023’s Best Cities for Remote Workers.

We compared cities based on remote worker-friendliness factors, such as internet quality, cost of living, and access to coworking spaces.

Check out our ranking of the best cities for remote workers.

1. Plano, TX

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• Overall Score: 67.11
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 19
• Workspace Rank: 6
• Connectivity Rank: 41
• Affordability Rank: 6
• Safety Rank: 27
• Amenities Rank: 94

2. Frisco, TX

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• Overall Score: 67.02
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 6
• Workspace Rank: 3
• Connectivity Rank: 108
• Affordability Rank: 2
• Safety Rank: 5
• Amenities Rank: 146

3. Tampa, FL

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• Overall Score: 65.69
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 55
• Workspace Rank: 11
• Connectivity Rank: 12
• Affordability Rank: 32
• Safety Rank: 41
• Amenities Rank: 51

4. Atlanta, GA

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• Overall Score: 63.99
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 31
• Workspace Rank: 10
• Connectivity Rank: 21
• Affordability Rank: 77
• Safety Rank: 149
• Amenities Rank: 17

5. Seattle, WA

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• Overall Score: 63.48
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 8
• Workspace Rank: 29
• Connectivity Rank: 10
• Affordability Rank: 113
• Safety Rank: 180
• Amenities Rank: 78

6. Durham, NC

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• Overall Score: 63.26
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 68
• Workspace Rank: 42
• Connectivity Rank: 4
• Affordability Rank: 61
• Safety Rank: 163
• Amenities Rank: 69

7. Austin, TX

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• Overall Score: 63.06
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 32
• Workspace Rank: 113
• Connectivity Rank: 13
• Affordability Rank: 36
• Safety Rank: 135
• Amenities Rank: 9

8. Kansas City, MO

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• Overall Score: 62.55
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 121
• Workspace Rank: 62
• Connectivity Rank: 3
• Affordability Rank: 29
• Safety Rank: 180
• Amenities Rank: 182

9. Jacksonville, FL

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• Overall Score: 62.23
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 135
• Workspace Rank: 114
• Connectivity Rank: 5
• Affordability Rank: 60
• Safety Rank: 104
• Amenities Rank: 4

10. Charlotte, NC

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• Overall Score: 62.08
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 47
• Workspace Rank: 52
• Connectivity Rank: 22
• Affordability Rank: 45
• Safety Rank: 128
• Amenities Rank: 48

11. Raleigh, NC

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• Overall Score: 61.96
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 51
• Workspace Rank: 61
• Connectivity Rank: 23
• Affordability Rank: 41
• Safety Rank: 61
• Amenities Rank: 87

12. Houston, TX

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• Overall Score: 61.42
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 104
• Workspace Rank: 83
• Connectivity Rank: 27
• Affordability Rank: 19
• Safety Rank: 174
• Amenities Rank: 38

13. Nashville, TN

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• Overall Score: 61.39
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 82
• Workspace Rank: 66
• Connectivity Rank: 15
• Affordability Rank: 65
• Safety Rank: 174
• Amenities Rank: 25

14. Naperville, IL

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• Overall Score: 61.32
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 7
• Workspace Rank: 4
• Connectivity Rank: 146
• Affordability Rank: 7
• Safety Rank: 1
• Amenities Rank: 52

15. Dallas, TX

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• Overall Score: 61.30
• Financial Incentive Rank: 7
• Earning Potential Rank: 93
• Workspace Rank: 153
• Connectivity Rank: 7
• Affordability Rank: 51
• Safety Rank: 149
• Amenities Rank: 10

Methodology

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For each of the cities in this list, we gathered publicly available data and factors.

We then grouped those factors into seven categories: Financial Incentive, Earning Potential, Workspace, Connectivity, Affordability, Safety, and Amenities.

Next, we calculated weighted scores for each city in each category.

Finally, we averaged the scores for each city across all categories.

The city that earned the highest average score was ranked “Best” (No. 1).