What Are the Best States for Remote Work in 2026? Cost, Taxes & Lifestyle Ranked
Wyoming is the best state for remote work in 2026 with a weighted score of 65.3/100 and a cost of living index of 92.7. Rankings weight affordability (20%), economy (15%), environment (12%), fiscal health (12%), outdoor access (10%), livability (10%), growth (8%), safety (8%), and transportation (5%) across all 50 states.
By America's Dashboard · 13 sections · Figures from the latest public releases
Where remote workers thrive
Remote work broke the link between where you work and where you live. If your paycheck doesn't depend on proximity to an office, the calculation changes completely. Instead of commute time and proximity to an employer, what matters is what things cost, what the state takes in taxes, and whether you actually enjoy living there.
We ranked all 50 states with the same weights as our remote workers lifestyle ranking: affordability (20%), economy (15%), environment (12%), fiscal health (12%), outdoor access (10%), livability (10%), growth (8%), safety (8%), and transportation (5%). Health and education carry no weight. Wyoming leads with a weighted score of 65.3/100 and a cost of living index of 92.7.
Internet access is not part of the score, because nearly every state is close on it: 92.7% of households in the average state have a broadband subscription, and 2 of our top 10 are above that. Check the specific town before you move; rural coverage varies far more than the statewide figure shows.
| Rank | State | Remote Score | Cost of Living | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wyoming | 65.3 | 92.7 | 76.5 |
| #2 | South Dakota | 65.1 | 88.6 | 84.7 |
| #3 | Idaho | 63.5 | 95.5 | 72.1 |
| #4 | Montana | 61.6 | 94.6 | 68.9 |
| #5 | North Dakota | 59.9 | 89 | 83.5 |
| #6 | Maine | 59.2 | 97.1 | 56.9 |
| #7 | Vermont | 58.4 | 98 | 55.7 |
| #8 | New Hampshire | 57.0 | 104.2 | 48.9 |
| #9 | Nebraska | 56.8 | 90.1 | 81.6 |
| #10 | Iowa | 55.1 | 87.8 | 86.3 |
#1: Wyoming
Wyoming leads our remote work rankings with a weighted score of 65.3/100. It scores 76.5 for affordability, 50.3 for economy, and 95.7 for outdoor access, with a cost of living index of 92.7. The typical home is valued at $371,854, 9.7% of workers already work from home, and 89.9% of households have a broadband subscription.
Wyoming ranks #2 overall (79.9/100). Outdoor access scores 95.7 — a real perk when your commute is 30 feet to the spare bedroom.
#2: South Dakota
South Dakota scores 65.1/100, with a cost of living index of 88.6 and a typical home value of $321,574. Already 8% of the workforce works from home. Affordability: 84.7. Fiscal health: 76.3. No income tax is the cherry on top.
South Dakota ranks #3 overall (79.3/100). The strongest category is affordability at 84.7.
#3: Idaho
Idaho scores 63.5/100, with a cost of living index of 95.5 and a typical home value of $478,744. Already 12.7% of the workforce works from home. Affordability: 72.1. Fiscal health: 71.0. Income tax at 5.7% is manageable.
Idaho ranks #4 overall (78.4/100). The strongest category is safety at 86.6. Net domestic migration of +9.9/1,000 shows other movers have already found it.
#4: Montana
Montana scores 61.6/100, with a cost of living index of 94.6 and a typical home value of $471,746. Already 11.7% of the workforce works from home. Affordability: 68.9. Fiscal health: 59.5. Income tax at 5.9% is manageable.
Montana ranks #7 overall (75.0/100). Outdoor access scores 71.7 — a real perk when your commute is 30 feet to the spare bedroom. Net domestic migration of +5.6/1,000 shows other movers have already found it.
#5: North Dakota
At #5, North Dakota scores 59.9/100 with a cost of living of 89 and homes valued around $292,293. The 7.1% work-from-home rate and 63.7 economy score make a solid case.
North Dakota ranks #5 overall (75.5/100). The strongest category is affordability at 83.5.
#6: Maine
At #6, Maine scores 59.2/100 with a cost of living of 97.1 and homes valued around $415,552. The 14.7% work-from-home rate and 51.1 economy score make a solid case.
Maine ranks #9 overall (71.6/100). The strongest category is safety at 94.5. Net domestic migration of +5.2/1,000 shows other movers have already found it.
#7: Vermont
At #7, Vermont scores 58.4/100 with a cost of living of 98 and homes valued around $399,053. The 16% work-from-home rate and 66.5 economy score make a solid case.
Vermont ranks #8 overall (74.0/100). The strongest category is safety at 77.7.
#8: New Hampshire
At #8, New Hampshire scores 57.0/100 with a cost of living of 104.2 and homes valued around $516,306. The 16% work-from-home rate and 74.0 economy score make a solid case.
New Hampshire ranks #1 overall (83.4/100). The strongest category is safety at 94.3.
#9: Nebraska
At #9, Nebraska scores 56.8/100 with a cost of living of 90.1 and homes valued around $280,673. The 9.7% work-from-home rate and 56.7 economy score make a solid case.
Nebraska ranks #10 overall (71.1/100). The strongest category is affordability at 81.6.
#10: Iowa
At #10, Iowa scores 55.1/100 with a cost of living of 87.8 and homes valued around $239,547. The 9.9% work-from-home rate and 48.8 economy score make a solid case.
Iowa ranks #14 overall (69.2/100). The strongest category is affordability at 86.3.
Beyond cost: what remote workers actually need
Fast internet is table stakes. After that, remote workers care about cost of living (especially if they're earning a salary pegged to an expensive metro), taxes, safety (you're home more hours of the day), community (working alone gets lonely), and outdoor access (you need reasons to leave the house). 2 of our top 10 score above 60 for outdoor access.
Tax policy matters too, which is why fiscal health carries 12% of the score. 3 of the top 10 have no state income tax. For a remote worker earning $120K, living in a no-tax state versus one with 5% income tax saves $6,000/year. Over a decade, that's a down payment on a house.
Where remote workers are actually moving
Net migration data shows where people are voting with their feet. South Carolina (+12/1K), Idaho (+9.9/1K), North Carolina (+7.6/1K) have the highest net domestic migration rates. Not all of these movers are remote workers, and the list overlaps only partly with our top 10.
The states losing the most people tend to have high costs of living, high taxes, or both. When remote work removes the job tether, the only reason to stay in an expensive state is personal — family, friends, attachment. For everyone else, the financial case for moving is compelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best state for remote work?
Wyoming ranks #1 for remote work in 2026 with a weighted score of 65.3/100 and a cost of living index of 92.7. The typical home is valued at $371,854 and 9.7% of workers already work from home. Rankings weight affordability (20%), economy (15%), environment (12%), fiscal health (12%), outdoor access (10%), livability (10%), growth (8%), safety (8%), and transportation (5%). South Dakota and Idaho follow. For someone earning $100,000 remotely, living in Wyoming instead of a high-cost state could save thousands annually in cost-of-living differences plus potential tax savings.
Is broadband part of the remote work ranking?
No. Broadband is the baseline requirement for remote work, but at the state level the differences are small: 92.7% of households in the average state have a broadband subscription (Census Bureau American Community Survey), and 2 of our top 10 remote work states are above that. The statewide share hides the gaps that matter, which are rural. Before you move, check providers and speeds at the specific address.
Do remote workers save money by moving to cheaper states?
Often yes, and the savings can be substantial. A remote worker earning $120,000 in a state with a COL index of 90 instead of 110 has roughly 20% more purchasing power. Add potential income tax savings (moving from a 6% income tax state to a no-tax state saves $7,200 on a $120K salary) and the total financial benefit can run well into five figures a year. The key is ensuring the cheaper state also meets your needs for safety, social life, healthcare, and outdoor activities — pure cost optimization without considering quality of life often leads to regret.
Which states have the most remote workers?
States with the highest work-from-home percentages include Colorado (19.9%), Oregon (17.1%), Washington (16.4%). These tend to be states with strong knowledge-economy sectors (tech, finance, professional services) and high educational attainment. States with lower remote work rates tend to have economies centered on manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and other hands-on industries where remote work isn't feasible. The 50-state average work-from-home share is 12.3%.
What should remote workers consider beyond cost?
After affordability, remote workers should weigh taxes (income, property, and sales tax all affect total savings), safety (you're home more hours of the day), community and social life (restaurants, social organizations, and cultural venues matter when you work alone), outdoor access (you need reasons to leave the house when there's no commute), and healthcare access. Among our top 10 remote work states, 2 score above 60 for outdoor access and 3 have no state income tax.