Best Cities for Remote Workers in 2026
Data-driven city rankings · 2026
Overview
Remote work has untethered millions of professionals from expensive coastal metros. If your salary stays the same but your zip code can change, the math is simple: move somewhere cheaper and pocket the difference. The cities below combine affordability with the population density needed for reliable internet infrastructure, social amenities, and airport access for occasional travel.
We ranked cities by overall cost index with a floor of 80,000 population to filter out rural areas that may lack broadband or coworking infrastructure. Median rent under $1,500 per month and proximity to a mid-size or larger airport were also considered.
Ranking Criteria
Cities are ranked by overall cost-of-living index (lower is better), filtered for population over 80,000 and overall index below 105. This ensures you get genuine affordability without sacrificing the urban amenities that make remote work sustainable long-term.
Top Cities
| # | City | Index | Rent | Home Price | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Smith, AR | 73 | $1,110/mo | $276,000 | $41,700 |
| 2 | Fishers, IN | 76 | $890/mo | $188,000 | $39,700 |
| 3 | Columbia, MO | 77 | $1,170/mo | $248,000 | $48,700 |
| 4 | Rockford, IL | 80 | $1,230/mo | $310,000 | $45,900 |
| 5 | Akron, OH | 81 | $1,180/mo | $264,000 | $47,300 |
| 6 | Jackson, MS | 82 | $900/mo | $125,000 | $36,528 |
| 7 | Lubbock, TX | 83 | $950/mo | $175,000 | $49,834 |
| 8 | Brownsville, TX | 83 | $1,220/mo | $271,000 | $46,400 |
| 9 | Overland Park, KS | 83 | $1,220/mo | $274,000 | $55,300 |
| 10 | Fayetteville, AR | 83 | $1,080/mo | $254,000 | $46,000 |
| 11 | Little Rock, AR | 84 | $950/mo | $170,000 | $47,638 |
| 12 | Memphis, TN | 84 | $1,000/mo | $155,000 | $41,228 |
| 13 | Wichita, KS | 84 | $900/mo | $165,000 | $52,428 |
| 14 | Springfield, MO | 84 | $1,090/mo | $236,000 | $48,800 |
| 15 | Mobile, AL | 84 | $1,390/mo | $308,000 | $42,900 |
| 16 | El Paso, TX | 85 | $1,000/mo | $185,000 | $47,568 |
| 17 | Tulsa, OK | 85 | $950/mo | $175,000 | $48,278 |
| 18 | Irving, TX | 85 | $850/mo | $249,000 | $46,700 |
| 19 | Laredo, TX | 86 | $1,050/mo | $222,000 | $43,800 |
| 20 | Birmingham, AL | 87 | $1,000/mo | $165,000 | $38,178 |
City-by-City Breakdown
1. Fort Smith, AR (Index: 73)
Fort Smith sits 27% below the national average with a cost index of 73. Median rent runs $1,110/mo per month, and the median home price is $276,000. With a median household income of $41,700, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 92, which drives most of the overall cost in Fort Smith.
2. Fishers, IN (Index: 76)
Fishers sits 24% below the national average with a cost index of 76. Median rent runs $890/mo per month, and the median home price is $188,000. With a median household income of $39,700, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 65, which is the most affordable category in Fishers.
3. Columbia, MO (Index: 77)
Columbia sits 23% below the national average with a cost index of 77. Median rent runs $1,170/mo per month, and the median home price is $248,000. With a median household income of $48,700, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 72, which is the most affordable category in Columbia.
4. Rockford, IL (Index: 80)
Rockford sits 20% below the national average with a cost index of 80. Median rent runs $1,230/mo per month, and the median home price is $310,000. With a median household income of $45,900, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 90, which drives most of the overall cost in Rockford.
5. Akron, OH (Index: 81)
Akron sits 19% below the national average with a cost index of 81. Median rent runs $1,180/mo per month, and the median home price is $264,000. With a median household income of $47,300, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 84, which drives most of the overall cost in Akron.
6. Jackson, MS (Index: 82)
Jackson sits 18% below the national average with a cost index of 82. Median rent runs $900/mo per month, and the median home price is $125,000. With a median household income of $36,528, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 56, which is the most affordable category in Jackson.
7. Lubbock, TX (Index: 83)
Lubbock sits 17% below the national average with a cost index of 83. Median rent runs $950/mo per month, and the median home price is $175,000. With a median household income of $49,834, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 59, which is the most affordable category in Lubbock.
8. Brownsville, TX (Index: 83)
Brownsville sits 17% below the national average with a cost index of 83. Median rent runs $1,220/mo per month, and the median home price is $271,000. With a median household income of $46,400, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 95, which drives most of the overall cost in Brownsville.
9. Overland Park, KS (Index: 83)
Overland Park sits 17% below the national average with a cost index of 83. Median rent runs $1,220/mo per month, and the median home price is $274,000. With a median household income of $55,300, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 90, which drives most of the overall cost in Overland Park.
10. Fayetteville, AR (Index: 83)
Fayetteville sits 17% below the national average with a cost index of 83. Median rent runs $1,080/mo per month, and the median home price is $254,000. With a median household income of $46,000, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 72, which is the most affordable category in Fayetteville.
How to Use This Data
When evaluating a remote-work relocation, remember that your effective raise equals the cost-of-living difference multiplied by your current spending. A move from a 140-index city to a 90-index city on the same salary is roughly equivalent to a 35% raise in purchasing power. Factor in state income taxes using our take-home pay calculator, and compare specific category costs that matter most to your lifestyle using the city comparison tool.
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