M

Best US Cities for Remote Workers

You can work from anywhere, and you want to base somewhere that actually improves your life, not just your zoom background. You need fast internet, real coworking, a community to plug into, and a lifestyle worth logging off for.

The trade-off is the tax-and-cost math versus the scene and the weather you actually want to live in.

Trip type

Prices from 800+ airlines · Book direct, get direct support

800+ airlines comparedRecently observed faresNo booking fees
On a budget

On a budget? Nashville pairs no state income tax with lower costs.

Short on time

Just trying it out? Denver makes an easy outdoor-lifestyle month.

Can't decide

Want it all? Austin has tech, no income tax and the scene.

For most remote workers, Austin is the best US base: a deep tech scene, no state income tax in Texas, plenty of coworking and fast internet, and a music-and-food lifestyle that makes after-work easy.

Denver ranks second for an outdoor lifestyle and a growing tech market, though Colorado has a state income tax. Miami is third for no state income tax, a booming tech and startup scene and beaches, at a higher cost.

Nashville pairs no state income tax with lower costs, and Portland offers a walkable, creative, cafe-heavy base despite higher taxes. All five are domestic moves with no passport required. Plan a one-week scouting stay, test the coworking and internet, and put flights on a points card.

Explore where you can go and for how much:

Where to go, ranked

1

Austin

Tech, no income tax, lifestyle

9.3/ 10

A coworking desk in 'Silicon Hills', no state income tax on your paycheck, and live music to log off to, all in one city.

Best for

Remote workers who want a deep tech network, no Texas state income tax, plenty of coworking and fast internet, plus a music-and-food after-work scene.

Skip if

You can't stand heat or rising costs; Austin summers top 100°F and its rents have climbed sharply with the tech boom.

Budget:
$1,100-1,500 for a 1-week scouting stay (incl. flights, lodging)
Flights:
From $140 round-trip from major hubs (nonstop on Southwest or American)
Flights to Austin →Things to do in Austin →Day-by-day itinerary →Austin travel guide →Compare side-by-side →Tours & tickets →
2

Denver

Outdoor lifestyle plus tech

9.0/ 10

A morning trail in the Rockies, a workday from a Mile High City coworking space, and a brewery to close out the day.

Best for

Remote workers who want mountains out the door: a growing tech market, coworking and the Rockies for hiking, biking and skiing before or after the workday.

Skip if

You want the lowest taxes; Colorado has a state income tax, unlike Texas, Florida and Tennessee, and the altitude takes adjusting to.

Budget:
$1,300-1,800 for a 1-week scouting stay (incl. flights, lodging)
Flights:
From $110 round-trip from ORD or LAX (nonstop on Southwest or Frontier)
Flights to Denver →Day-by-day itinerary →Denver travel guide →Tours & tickets →
3

Miami

No income tax, startups, beaches

8.7/ 10

A Brickell coworking space among the startups, no state income tax, and a beach swim before dinner, all in one neighborhood.

Best for

Remote workers who want no Florida state income tax, a booming tech and startup scene around Brickell, beaches and easy international flights.

Skip if

Your budget is tight; Miami rents and daily costs are among the highest here, and the summer heat and humidity are relentless.

Budget:
$1,400-1,900 for a 1-week scouting stay (incl. flights, lodging)
Flights:
From $100 round-trip from JFK (3h nonstop on JetBlue or American)
Flights to Miami →Things to do in Miami →Miami travel guide →Compare side-by-side →Tours & tickets →
4

Nashville

Low cost, no income tax

8.4/ 10

Lower rent and no state income tax than the bigger hubs, with free live music on Broadway to end the workday.

Best for

Remote workers who want no Tennessee state income tax and lower rent than Austin or Miami, plus a growing market and a fun, walkable city.

Skip if

You want a deep tech network; Nashville's scene is growing but smaller, more healthcare and music than a startup hub.

Budget:
$1,000-1,400 for a 1-week scouting stay (incl. flights, lodging)
Flights:
From $120 round-trip from major hubs (nonstop on Southwest or Delta)
Flights to Nashville →Things to do in Nashville →Nashville travel guide →Tours & tickets →
5

Portland

Walkable, creative, cafe-heavy

8.1/ 10

A cafe-and-coworking workday in a walkable city with no sales tax, and Forest Park's trails inside the city limits.

Best for

Remote workers who want a walkable, creative base with great coffee, no sales tax and easy access to trails, the Gorge and the coast.

Skip if

You want low taxes and reliable sun; Oregon's income tax is among the highest in the US, and Portland is gray and rainy half the year.

Budget:
$1,200-1,600 for a 1-week scouting stay (incl. flights, lodging)
Flights:
From $130 round-trip from major hubs (nonstop on Alaska or Southwest)
Flights to Portland →Things to do in Portland →Compare side-by-side →Tours & tickets →
Plan your trip

Search flights & hotels to Austin

Search Austin

Side-by-side comparison

Destination1-week scouting cost (incl. flights)State income taxBest forClimateWalkable?
Austin$1,100-1,500None (Texas)Tech + lifestyleHot summersPartly
Denver$1,300-1,800Yes (Colorado)Outdoor lifestyleSunny, seasonalPartly
Miami$1,400-1,900None (Florida)Startups + beachHot, humidPartly
Nashville$1,000-1,400None (Tennessee)Low costMild, humidYes
Portland$1,200-1,600High (Oregon)Walkable, creativeGray, rainyYes

The budget reality check

Under $1,500 per person (1-week scouting stay, incl. flights)

NashvilleAustin

Nashville and Austin combine no state income tax with the lowest scouting costs, the best starting math for a remote-work base.

$1,200-1,800 per person (1-week scouting stay, incl. flights)

DenverPortland

Denver and Portland land mid-range, but both states tax income, so the take-home math is worse than the no-tax cities.

$1,400 and up per person (1-week scouting stay, incl. flights)

Miami

Miami's no-income-tax advantage is real, but its high rents and daily costs make it the priciest base of the five to scout.

When to book

Plan a one-week scouting stay before committing to a month or a move, and work a few real days from the city to test the internet, coworking and after-work scene. Flights are cheapest 4-6 weeks out.

Avoid scouting Austin and Miami in peak summer heat, or Portland in the gray, rainy December-to-May stretch.

Ready to go? Find flights:

What to know before you book

Test the internet and coworking first

Book a stay with a real desk and reliable wifi, and try a day pass at two coworking spaces. Most offer a free or cheap trial day, so test the speed, the noise and the commute before you buy a membership.

Do the tax math

Texas, Florida and Tennessee have no state income tax; Colorado and Oregon do, with Oregon among the highest. For a high earner, that gap can outweigh a higher rent, so run the take-home numbers before you choose.

Work, don't sightsee, on a scouting trip

Spend a few days actually working from the city, a cafe, a coworking space, your stay, not touring it. A base feels different on a normal Tuesday than on a vacation, and that's the version you'll live in.

Put flights on a points card

Book scouting flights on a card like the Chase Sapphire or Capital One Venture. A $200-400 fare earns 600-1,600 points, and you'll likely make several trips before settling on a base.

Mubboo Verdict

Our pick: Austin

Austin pairs the deepest tech network and coworking with no Texas state income tax and a music-and-food lifestyle, the best all-around base for a remote worker.

But if you want mountains, base in Denver; for the lowest costs with no income tax, base in Nashville.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best US city for remote workers?

Austin. It pairs a deep tech scene and strong networking with no state income tax in Texas, abundant coworking, fast internet and a music-and-food lifestyle. Denver and Miami are the next-best, each with its own draw: outdoors for Denver, no income tax and startups for Miami.

Which remote-work city has the lowest taxes?

Austin, Miami and Nashville. Texas, Florida and Tennessee have no state income tax, a meaningful raise for a high earner working remotely. Colorado (Denver) and Oregon (Portland) both tax income, with Oregon's rate among the highest in the country.

Which city is the cheapest to base in?

Nashville. It combines no state income tax with lower rent and costs than Austin or Miami, while still offering a growing job market and a fun city. A one-week scouting stay runs under $1,400 per person including flights.

Which city is best for outdoor lifestyle?

Denver. The Mile High City puts hiking, biking and skiing within easy reach, so a remote worker can hit the mountains before or after the workday. Portland is the runner-up for in-city trails and a short drive to the Gorge and the coast.

How long should a scouting trip be?

One week. That's enough to test the coworking spaces, the internet, the commute to a cafe, and the after-work scene before you commit to a month or a move. Work a few real days from the city, don't just sightsee, to see if it fits.

How do I save while scouting a base?

Book a place with a desk and reliable wifi, try a day pass at two coworking spaces, and put flights on a card like the Chase Sapphire or Capital One Venture. Many coworking spaces offer a free or cheap trial day, so test before you buy a membership.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.