What Are the Best States for Remote Workers in 2026? All 50 Ranked
Wyoming is the best state for remote workers in 2026 with a weighted score of 65.3/100, followed by South Dakota (65.1) and Idaho (63.5). Custom rankings weight affordability, economy, outdoor access based on what this group cares about most.
By America's Dashboard · 8 sections · Figures from the latest public releases
Top 10 states for remote workers
Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.
Wyoming leads the remote workers rankings with a persona-weighted score of 65.3/100. South Dakota (65.1) and Idaho (63.5) round out the top three.
The gap between #1 and #10 is 10.2 points. What separates these states from the rest is consistent strength across the categories that matter most for remote workers: affordability, economy, outdoor access.
| Rank | State | Remote Workers Score | Affordability | Economy | Outdoor Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wyoming | 65.3 | 76.5 | 50.3 | 95.7 |
| #2 | South Dakota | 65.1 | 84.7 | 70.0 | 45.8 |
| #3 | Idaho | 63.5 | 72.1 | 50.9 | 50.2 |
| #4 | Montana | 61.6 | 68.9 | 51.5 | 71.7 |
| #5 | North Dakota | 59.9 | 83.5 | 63.7 | 39.1 |
| #6 | Maine | 59.2 | 56.9 | 51.1 | 45.0 |
| #7 | Vermont | 58.4 | 55.7 | 66.5 | 55.6 |
| #8 | New Hampshire | 57.0 | 48.9 | 74.0 | 43.0 |
| #9 | Nebraska | 56.8 | 81.6 | 56.7 | 22.0 |
| #10 | Iowa | 55.1 | 86.3 | 48.8 | 22.4 |
#1: Wyoming
Wyoming leads the remote workers rankings with a weighted score of 65.3/100. The state scores 76.5 in affordability, 50.3 in economy, 95.7 in outdoor access. Overall rank: #2 (79.9/100, A+ grade). Median income: $75,532. Cost of living: 92.7.
Wyoming's weakest area for this ranking is growth at 42.5, but the weights for remote workers put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.4%. Violent crime: 179.9/100K. Life expectancy: 76.8 years.
#2: South Dakota
South Dakota scores 65.1/100 for remote workers, with strength in affordability (84.7) and economy (70.0). The state ranks #3 overall and offers a cost of living index of 88.6 with a typical home value of $321,574.
South Dakota's weakest area for this ranking is livability at 42.2, but the weights for remote workers put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.1%. Violent crime: 307.5/100K. Life expectancy: 77.3 years.
#3: Idaho
Idaho scores 63.5/100 for remote workers, with strength in affordability (72.1) and economy (50.9). The state ranks #4 overall and offers a cost of living index of 95.5 with a typical home value of $478,744.
Idaho's weakest area for this ranking is livability at 39.6, but the weights for remote workers put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.7%. Violent crime: 217.3/100K. Life expectancy: 78.4 years.
#4: Montana
At #4, Montana scores 61.6/100. Affordability: 68.9. Economy: 51.5. Outdoor Access: 71.7. Overall rank: #7. The state's outdoor access score of 71.7 is a standout.
Montana's weakest area for this ranking is economy at 51.5, but the weights for remote workers put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.3%. Violent crime: 419.1/100K. Life expectancy: 77.3 years.
#5: North Dakota
At #5, North Dakota scores 59.9/100. Affordability: 83.5. Economy: 63.7. Outdoor Access: 39.1. Overall rank: #5. The state's affordability score of 83.5 is a standout.
North Dakota's weakest area for this ranking is environment at 38.5, but the weights for remote workers put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.6%. Violent crime: 256.7/100K (the FBI's prior-year estimate; its latest year there is based on limited data). Life expectancy: 77.9 years.
How these rankings differ from overall rankings
Our overall state rankings use fixed weights led by economy (15%) and safety, health, and education (12% each). Remote Workers rankings shift the emphasis to what this group cares about most: affordability (20%), economy (15%), environment (12%). Categories like health and education carry zero weight.
This means a state can rank poorly overall but well for remote workers if its strengths align with the weighted categories. Wyoming ranks #2 overall but #1 for remote workers — in this case, both rankings agree.
States to avoid for remote workers
The bottom of the remote workers rankings: California (32.2), New Jersey (37.4), Illinois (38.6). Lower scores in affordability and economy are the primary reasons.
California scores 32.2/100 with affordability at 14.3, economy at 41.5, outdoor access at 40.8. These aren't necessarily bad states — they just don't align well with what remote workers prioritize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best state for remote workers in 2026?
Wyoming ranks #1 for remote workers in 2026 with a weighted score of 65.3/100, followed by South Dakota (65.1) and Idaho (63.5). The ranking weights categories that matter most to remote workers: affordability (20%), economy (15%), environment (12%). Wyoming scores 76.5 in affordability, 50.3 in economy, 95.7 in outdoor access. The gap between #1 and #10 is 10.2 points, showing meaningful differences in how well states serve this lifestyle.
What categories matter most for remote workers?
The top-weighted categories for remote workers are affordability (20%), economy (15%), environment (12%). Categories like health and education carry zero weight because they are less relevant to this specific lifestyle profile. This means a state can rank poorly overall but well for remote workers if its strengths align with the weighted categories. The weighting reflects real-world priorities — different life stages and lifestyles genuinely value different things, and a one-size-fits-all ranking can miss important nuances.
How do remote workers rankings differ from overall rankings?
Our overall state rankings use a standard weighting across all 11 categories. Remote Workers rankings shift the emphasis to what this group cares about most: affordability (20%), economy (15%), environment (12%). This means a state that ranks #1 overall might rank significantly lower for remote workers if its strengths don't align with the weighted categories, and vice versa. Wyoming ranks #2 overall but #1 for remote workers — in this case, both rankings agree.
Which state ranks worst for remote workers?
California ranks last for remote workers with a score of 32.2/100, primarily due to low affordability (14.3) and economy (41.5) scores. New Jersey (37.4) and Illinois (38.6) also rank near the bottom. These aren't necessarily bad states overall — they just don't align well with what remote workers prioritize. A state that ranks poorly for one lifestyle may rank well for another, depending on which categories are weighted.
Can I customize these rankings for my own priorities?
Our remote workers rankings use a specific weighting that reflects typical priorities for this lifestyle. While we don't offer fully customizable weights on the site, you can use our state comparison tool at /compare to evaluate any two states side by side across all 11 categories. For a more tailored analysis, look at individual category rankings at /rankings — if you care most about safety and education, compare those specific rankings. Our city-level data at /cities also provides more granular information for 1,312 cities, including every city of 50,000 or more. For households focused on finances, the affordability calculator at /affordability lets you model costs for specific income levels.