These Are Best Cities in the World for Remote Workers, According to a New Ranking A recent report from Remote.com ranked over 100 cities in the world. Here's the best of the bunch.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Despite many employers mandating that employees come back into the office, some workers who experienced remote work during the pandemic are never going back.

Now, many of these remote workers are taking the opportunity to move to places better suited for the work-from-home life.

A new report from global HR platform Remote.com examined 100 popular remote cities across the globe, ranking them based on factors including the quality of life they provide residents, safety level, internet infrastructure, current economic factors, and more.

Only one U.S. city cracked the top 10 — Portland, Maine.

"Immigrant populations have increased diversity of a traditionally hard-to-reach region, so international visitors may feel more at home here than in the rest of Maine," the report states. "Housing costs are on the rise in this coastal town but are still below the national average."

The next U.S. city comes in at No. 19 (Honolulu, Hawaii, for its "legendary beaches" and welcoming remote work policy), followed by No. 20, Des Moines, Iowa, for its "reasonable housing costs" and a plethora of breweries (that close early, the report notes).

New York City came in at No. 21.

The No. 1 city worldwide for remote workers is Madrid, Spain, according to the report, which is "ever-welcoming" thanks to its low-income tax rate and "generous expat visa options" meant to attract freelance and remote workers.

The average cost of living for a single person in Madrid without rent monthly is around $804, according to the most recent data from Numeo. The city is an estimated 49.5% cheaper (without rent) than New York City.

Here are the top 10 cities for remote workers across the globe, according to the report.

10. Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík, Iceland (Getty Images)

9. Stockholm, Sweden

8. Taipei, Taiwan

7. Portland, Maine, USA

6. Paris, France

Paris, France (Getty Images)

5. Tokyo, Japan

4. Auckland, New Zealand

3. Toronto, Canada

2. Madeira, Portugal

1. Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain (Getty Images)

For the full report, visit here.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'We're Not Effective': Starbucks CEO Tells Corporate Employees to 'Own Whether or Not This Place Grows'

After layoffs, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said in an internal meeting that the company's operations had to change.

Business Ideas

The Accidental Tech Boom — What AI's Gaming Origins Can Teach Entrepreneurs About Business Breakthroughs

The AI revolution didn't start in Silicon Valley boardrooms or research labs — it began on the pixelated battlefields of video games. This article explores why the biggest business innovations often come from unexpected places and what entrepreneurs can learn about spotting hidden opportunities before they become mainstream.

Business News

AI Agents Can Help Businesses Be '10 Times More Productive,' According to an Nvidia VP. Here's What They Are and How Much They Cost.

In a new interview with Entrepreneur, Nvidia's Vice President of AI Software, Kari Briski, explains how AI agents will "transform" the way we work — and sooner than you think.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

3 Signs Your Startup Needs a CTO — But Not As a Full-Time Hire

Is your business stalling due to a lack of technical expertise? External support can provide the critical guidance you need.