Best Cities for Remote Workers in Virginia
Why Virginia Works for Remote Workers
Virginia ranks #13 out of 50 for remote workers β a strong option for those whose income isn't tied to local job markets. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. Virginia's cost of living (index: 101) is near the national average, so a remote salary doesn't gain or lose much purchasing power here.
The high work-from-home rate of 14% suggests an established remote work culture with coworking spaces and digital infrastructure already in place. Broadband coverage is excellent at 90.5%, so reliable internet shouldn't be a concern.
Taxes are moderate at 8.86% of income β not a major draw but not a dealbreaker. Housing affordability (score: 57/100) is adequate β the median home costs $444,000, a manageable ratio for most remote salaries.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # | City | Grade | Remote Workers Score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Outdoor Access | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington | A+ | 58.6 | 68.2 | 42 | 82 | 20 | 234,162 |
| 2 | Leesburg | A+ | 58.3 | 65.9 | 48 | 91 | 20 | 48,788 |
| 3 | Alexandria | A | 56.9 | 63.3 | 50 | 77 | 20 | 155,230 |
| 4 | Dale City | A | 56.0 | 60.7 | 60 | 63 | 20 | 70,529 |
| 5 | Reston | A+ | 55.4 | 63.9 | 47 | 67 | 20 | 66,070 |
| 6 | McLean | A+ | 55.3 | 64.9 | 31 | 75 | 20 | 50,232 |
| 7 | Virginia Beach | B+ | 54.8 | 57.8 | 65 | 67 | 20 | 453,649 |
| 8 | Centreville | A | 54.6 | 62.5 | 48 | 67 | 20 | 71,374 |
| 9 | Chesapeake | B | 53.5 | 54.6 | 66 | 67 | 20 | 253,886 |
| 10 | Suffolk | C+ | 53.5 | 52.0 | 67 | 61 | 20 | 100,659 |
| 11 | Tuckahoe | B+ | 52.6 | 59.8 | 57 | 52 | 20 | 48,610 |
| 12 | Lynchburg | C+ | 50.3 | 52.4 | 76 | 48 | 20 | 79,535 |
| 13 | Hampton | C+ | 50.0 | 50.7 | 71 | 53 | 20 | 137,098 |
| 14 | Richmond | C+ | 49.7 | 51.0 | 69 | 53 | 20 | 229,247 |
| 15 | Charlottesville | B | 47.7 | 54.3 | 64 | 60 | 20 | 45,863 |
| 16 | Harrisonburg | C+ | 47.0 | 51.2 | 73 | 50 | 20 | 51,492 |
| 17 | Norfolk | C | 46.3 | 46.7 | 71 | 51 | 20 | 230,930 |
| 18 | Roanoke | C | 46.2 | 45.8 | 77 | 46 | 20 | 97,171 |
| 19 | Newport News | C | 46.0 | 45.7 | 72 | 52 | 20 | 183,118 |
| 20 | Portsmouth | D | 42.8 | 41.2 | 72 | 46 | 20 | 96,793 |