As more and more Americans choose to adopt the lifestyle of a digital nomad, the wants and needs for finding a home are changing. According to independent talent provider MBO Partners’ 2020 State of Independence research study, the number of Americans who consider themselves digital nomads continues to grow each year, now reaching almost 11 million.
New Study Found the 30 Best Cities for Digital Nomads in 2021
This May being “National Moving Month,” Yelp and Zillow came together to release a “Digital Nomad Index” to rate the best 30 cities for a digital nomad looking for a new adventure. The criteria for the ranking includes things like the inventory of rentals and pageviews of rentals with leasing terms less than one year, as well as affordability and a few other measures. The list also decided not to include the 30 largest metro areas in the country to give preference to places people might not expect.
“These destinations boast a mix of outdoor adventure and city perks that are appealing to the many young professionals who have transitioned to the nomadic lifestyle due to their new-found ability to work from anywhere,” Yelp trend expert Tara Lewis said in a press release. “They’re great for digital nomads, and offer a variety of highly rated local businesses and activities these folks are looking for, like shared office spaces, furniture rental, hiking, RV repairs, paddle boarding and more.”
The top destination? Jacksonville, FL. It stole the spotlight in part because of its affordability (the average rent is $960 per month) while also providing ideal weather and scenic outdoor views. Austin, Texas, with rent averaging at $1,323 per month, ranked high because of its artist culture and access to amenities like coworking spaces. And in third place you’ll find Boise, Idaho, which raises the stakes at $1,495 per month. Zillow and Yelp think it’s worth it for the outdoor activities, restaurants, and the accessibility to find a rental.
Below is the full list of the top 10 cities:
- Jacksonville, FL
- Austin, Texas
- Boise, Idaho
- Nashville, TN
- Charleston, SC
- San Jose, CA
- Fort Collins, CO
- Asheville, NC
- Las Vegas, NV
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Be sure to check out the exhaustive list, so you can make the right choice finding your next adventure.