The U.S. doesn’t always top the lists when it comes to digital nomad destinations. Mostly because, yeah… The cost of living can be rough.

But as a U.S. digital nomad who’s worked remotely while traveling across the country, I can tell you that beyond the big names like New York City, there are plenty of underrated cities, offering fast Wi-Fi, affordable living costs, and way more charm than you’d expect.

Here’s a list of the best places for digital nomads in the United States. Cities I’ve personally spent time in, and that are 100% worth considering if you’re looking to base yourself stateside for a while without the usual big-city price tag.

1. Columbus, Ohio

I might be a little biased as an Ohio native, but Columbus definitely deserves a spot on this list. It’s super underrated for digital nomads.

Rent is affordable (around $1,000 for a one-bedroom), which is a huge win if your income isn’t always the same month to month.

There’s also a great coworking space downtown called Qwirk that does “Free Fridays,” so you can just show up and work without paying. And because Columbus is home to The Ohio State University (yes, the is a thing), there are tons of cafes packed with people on laptops.

Wi-Fi is solid pretty much everywhere in Columbus, and while the nomad scene here is still small, it's growing rapidly.

When you’re not working, there’s actually more to do in Columbus than you’d expect. The Scioto Mile is a great place to walk or just sit by the water. The Short North has a ton of little art galleries, murals, and quirky shops. If you just want to unwind, Franklin Park Conservatory is basically a giant indoor garden. Super quiet, great place to read or just zone out.

Getting around’s pretty easy. If you’re staying downtown or near campus, you honestly don’t need a car. The buses (COTA) will get you where you need to go, and there are scooters everywhere.

2. Austin, Texas

If you're into tech and looking for a well-established digital nomad community, Austin should be the next dot on your map. There are people building apps in coffee shops, networking in coworking spaces, and just generally doing cool stuff all over the place.

The weather helps too. Yeah, it gets stupid hot in the summer, but for most of the year it’s warm enough to be outside. Work from a patio, hike the Greenbelt, or catch some random band playing in a park. It’s all doable.

Coworking-wise, you’ve got tons of options. Capital Factory is a big one, but honestly, even the coffee shops feel like unofficial coworking spaces. Austin also has some of the fastest Wi-Fi in the country.

Rent, though, is not as cheap as it used to be, unfortunately... The average for a one-bedroom is around $1,400 now, and if you’re staying in trendier areas, expect to pay more. Also, if you're used to cities with great public transport, here it might feel a little limited.

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Texas doesn’t have income tax, which sounds amazing. But Austin’s not as cheap as people think, so it evens out a bit... If you’re thinking of coming here long-term, try it out for a month or two first. See how it feels, see how your budget holds up, then decide.

3. Boulder, Colorado

Remote work is practically the norm in Boulder. In 2023, the city earned the top spot for having the highest percentage of remote workers in any US metro area, with 1 in 4 people WFH!

The nature here is unreal. Mountains everywhere, clean air, and instant access to some of the most beautiful scenic trails in the whole country. That's why here you'll find a small but strong outdoor-loving tech crowd.

Office Evolution is a good coworking option if you want something more office-y. But honestly, most cafes are super laptop-friendly and all have killer mountain views.

Rent’s a bit steep at around $1,800 for a one-bedroom. But what’s nice about Boulder is that what you spend on housing costs, you can save in transportation. There are over 300 miles of bike paths, so you can save on costs while also helping preserve Colorado’s stunning landscapes.

4. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville’s one of those places that surprises you in the best way. It’s got a slower pace, but still ticks all the digital nomad boxes.

I had such a great time joining the local community, AVL Digital Nomads, which runs regular meetups and coworking days. In my opinion, it's probably one of the most active nomad groups I’ve seen in a smaller city. It’s easy to make friends here, especially if you're solo.

Rent averages around $1,725 for a one-bedroom. Not exactly cheap, but the overall cost of living sits just below the national average, so it evens out.

Wi-Fi is fast and reliable, and most cafes are laptop-friendly (shoutout to my favorites High Five and Summit Coffee!). There are also a few solid coworking spots like Hatch Innovation Hub.

You don’t need a car if you’re staying downtown. Asheville's pretty walkable, and there are buses. But if you want to explore the mountains or breweries outside the center, a car definitely helps.

5. Cincinnati, Ohio

Columbus isn’t the only Ohio city worth checking out. Cincinnati’s got a lot going for it, too. Tons of laptop-friendly cafes and one of my all-time favorite coworking spots: The Living Room. It’s got a rooftop, beer on tap, and solid Wi-Fi.

Getting around is easy. Downtown’s walkable, and there’s a free streetcar (yep, free) called the Connector. Rent’s about $1,425 for a one-bedroom.

The nomad scene isn’t huge, but it’s there. You’ll find some remote workers and creatives scattered around, especially in coworking spots and events.

On your days off, there’s actually a lot to do. Grab food at Findlay Market, walk the bridges along Smale Riverfront Park, or wander around Over-the-Rhine to check out some cool murals, vintage shops, and breweries. All are worth a visit!

6. Portland, Oregon

Portland’s… well, Portland. Weird in the best way, hipster as hell, and weirdly easy to love. Here you can walk pretty much everywhere, and suddenly it’s all indie boutiques, craft breweries, and random art galleries.

Rent starts at around $1,275 (which is not bad for the West Coast!). Plus, there’s no sales tax in Portland, so what you see on the menu is what you pay. Small win, but it adds up.

The coffee culture here is serious. Cafes like Coffee Time double as unofficial coworking hubs: Big tables, fast Wi-Fi, and most of them open till midnight. The digital nomad scene isn’t huge, but it exists. Not as nomad-heavy as Austin, but you’ll find your people.

7. Kansas City, Kansas

Kansas City isn’t usually top of mind for digital nomads, but it should be. Rent’s around $1,400 for a one-bedroom, and the cost of living is low compared to most cities with decent infrastructure.

The Wi-Fi here is great. It was one of the first cities with Google Fiber, so internet speeds are solid. There’s also free public Wi-Fi in parts of downtown, and coworking spaces are very affordable.

The KC Streetcar is free and hits most of the downtown spots. If you're staying further out (like I did), you’ll probably need a car or rely on rideshares. Public transport isn’t the best beyond the center.

On your days off, there’s plenty to do. Walk around the Crossroads Arts District, check out the jazz bars, or head to a local brewery. I personally loved the barbecue, and the First Fridays art market is a nice way to explore the local scene.

It’s not a nomad hotspot yet, but that’s part of the appeal: affordable, easy, and genuinely fun without the hype.

8. St. Louis, Missouri

In St. Louis, a budget of $1,000–$2,000 a month is enough to cover rent, food, and transport without much stress. One-bedrooms can go for under $1,000, and overall, it’s one of the more affordable places I’ve stayed in.

I ended up walking pretty much everywhere. If you stay near Central West End or Midtown, you won’t need a car. The metro’s okay but limited, so scooters and rideshares are way more practical.

Wi-Fi is reliable, although on some occasions, I had to use my US eSIM to get connected... So, my recommendation is to check out coworking spaces like Nebula or cafés like Winslow’s Table and Coma Coffee.

You’ve got museums and trails. The Gateway Arch is touristy but still worth seeing at least once. And if you’re into music or food, the local scene’s got soul, especially around Delmar Loop.

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The weather can be all over the place. As an Ohioan, I’m used to it, but if you’re staying year-round, pack for both extremes. Summers get sticky, and winters bite.

9. Chattanooga, Tennessee

They call it Gig City for a reason: the internet here is insanely fast thanks to the city’s fiber network.

Just be ready to drive. Public transportation is pretty limited, so having a car is ideal (though you can make do with rideshares if needed).

At about $1,244 for a one-bedroom, rent here is surprisingly reasonable for what you get. Downtown offers the most convenience: walkable neighborhoods packed with coffee shops, coworking spaces, and some great riverfront views.

If you prefer a quieter vibe, head up to Lookout Mountain. It’s peaceful, super scenic, and still well connected (yep, the fast internet reaches up there too). Ruby Falls is up there, too. It’s touristy, but honestly pretty stunning.

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Taya Paxton

Articles by Taya Paxton

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