One of the biggest perks of being a digital nomad is the ability to work anywhere with a WiFi connection. Luckily, in the US, WiFi can pretty much be found anywhere, but certain cities seem to appeal to digital nomads more than others.
Top 7 Digital Nomad Cities in the US
After leaving the 9-5 life behind, I’ve been a full-time digital nomad for almost 7 years. As well as meeting a ton of fellow online workers, there’s a consensus of cities in the US that rise to the top of the list. Here are the top 7 digital nomad cities in America with fast WiFi, affordable living costs, good safety scores, and fun things to do in that all-important downtime.
1. Austin, Texas
Known as a creative mecca for many, Austin, Texas is a favorite city for digital nomads. It has a lively music scene, vibrant nightlife, tons of culture, and plenty of places to post up and crack open that laptop.
The summer months in Austin are warm, with highs that hover around 92-95 degrees Fahrenheit, but don’t worry, you can escape to swimming holes like Krause Springs, or Barton Springs Pool when you need to cool off. Winter months are mild with temperatures topping out around 61-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Average rent is affordable, especially in neighborhoods like Coronado Hills, where digital nomads can expect to pay around $1,440 per month. Fast WiFi can be found all around the city with speeds ranging from 50-5,000 Mbps depending on the provider. As far as safety goes, the city has a lower crime rate than similar-sized cities, with a crime index of 7.7/10 (ten being the safest).
SEE ALSO: Weekend in Austin: The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary
2. North Las Vegas, Nevada
Head north from the bright lights and sounds of slot machines to find another fantastic city for digital nomads. North Las Vegas is beautiful, laid-back, and growing more and more each year (think about the investment opportunities!). Rent currently costs around $1,300 per month which leaves you with extra disposable income if you want to try your luck on the strip.
As far as weather goes, it’s hot and dry during the summer with highs of around 101-106 degrees Fahrenheit and winters experience mild highs and cold lows ranging from 33-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
In your home, average internet speeds in North Las Vegas run about 200 Mbps with faster speeds found in cafes or coworking spaces like Social Commerce. You’ll also feel safe in the area knowing that crime rates are 6% lower than the national average.
3. Columbus, Ohio
Located right on the Ohio River, Columbus, Ohio, is a gorgeous city that appeals to digital nomads because of its affordable cost of living. Surprisingly, you can still find rent for just over $1,000 per month in the city.
Not only is the rent affordable, but internet speeds aren’t anything to scoff at. The average download speed in Columbus is around 200 Mbps, and there are plenty of cool coworking spaces such as Zora’s House and Club Level Coworking to head to when you need to get your head down for a few hours.
As far as weather is concerned, you’ll stay toasty in the summer with temperatures around 82-85 Fahrenheit, and in the winter, you can get all cozied up with temperatures of around 25-40 degrees. Unfortunately, one downfall to consider before moving to Columbus is that the crime rate is around 50% higher than the national average; I recommend avoiding high-crime areas like Franklinton and South Lindon.
4. Portland, Oregon
Located in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, Portland, Oregon, is a forward-thinking, fast-growing city and is a perfect place for digital nomads to base themselves. I grew up in Portland and started my digital nomad career there, and let me tell you – it’s a haven for online workers.
Rent prices hover around $1,780 per month in the Rose City, and you can find free WiFi practically everywhere. There are coffee shops and breweries on almost every block and these make for great spaces to get through some work outside of your accommodation. My favorite places are Wayfinder Beer and Case Study Coffee Roasters. WiFi speeds average around 100-300 Mbps throughout the city.
The summers are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit. The winters are notoriously wet and chilly (that’s why it’s so green!), with temperatures in the mid-40s. Another perk is that the crime rate is lower than the national average.
5. Chula Vista, California
Located just a short drive from the Mexican border, Chula Vista, California is south of San Diego with a much better price point for digital nomads. In fact, you can find an apartment for $1,800 in Chula Vista versus $2,900 in San Diego.
What also makes this border town so appealing is that it has average internet speeds of around 260 Mpbs with cool coworking spaces and cafes within a short drive. Plus, who doesn’t like having an office just minutes from the beach?
Summers in Chula Vista are quite lovely with temperatures averaging around 71-77 degrees Fahrenheit and mild winter temperatures hovering around a comfortable 67 degrees all season. When it comes to safety, the crime rate in Chula Vista is 30% lower than the national average.
6. Chandler, Arizona
Head east from Chula Vista and you’ll eventually get to another popular digital nomad city – Chandler, Arizona. This thriving suburb of Phoenix is renowned for its tech industry and is an affordable place for digital nomads, with rent averaging $1,480 per month.
Expect hot summer months in tank tops with temperatures reaching into the low 100s and very tolerable winters with temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. There are activities galore, no matter the season – go hiking, shop at the Chandler Fashion Center, or head to Desert Breeze Park.
Chandler prides itself on its fast internet speeds of over 250 Mbps, and digital nomads have plenty of coworking options to pick from. Some popular choices include Workuity, Two Forty One, and Workpliciti. Another major draw of Chandler was that it holds an A- crime score, meaning it’s safer than 80% of other U.S. cities.
SEE ALSO: 25 Best Places to Visit in Arizona
7. Denver, Colorado
For digital nomads looking to live that mountain life, Denver, Colorado, is a gorgeous option. Rent is a little higher than the national average at around $1,970 per month, but the quality of life is top-notch. Nature is abundant, the nightlife is popping, and the city knows its way around craft beer. There’s an almost endless list of things to do here.
Denver has great cafes, coffee shops, breweries, and coworking spaces for digital nomads – Creative Density and Green Spaces are popular spots. What’s great is that you can expect WiFi speeds of around 300-400 Mbps in the city, so you’ve got no reason to miss your deadlines!
Summers are sunny and hot, with temps in the upper 80s and low 90s, while winters can be snowy and cold (time to hit the slopes!), with temperatures in the low 40s and dipping into the teens at night. The crime rate is higher than the national average – it’s best to avoid neighborhoods like Wellshire and Washington Park in particular.
SEE ALSO: Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Denver, Colorado
In Conclusion
With many of us enjoying an office-free lifestyle, it’s fun to roam around and explore different cities and regions. These thriving cities cater to online workers well and are only becoming more popular.
Thanks to fast internet speed around the country and accessible coworking spaces, working online in the US is super easy, efficient, and enjoyable.
SEE ALSO: These Are The 6 Safest Cities in Mexico for Digital Nomads
