The best cities for remote workers
Remote work changes the maths: you earn in one economy and spend in another. This ranking optimises for the things that actually decide a remote base — how much of your income survives local costs, whether the connection holds, whether you can function in English, and whether the place is safe and pleasant enough to stay.
The ranking
| # | City | Match | Monthly cost | Left over | Why it ranks here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 85% | $3,676 | $3,779 | 3,779 USD/month left after costsConnectivity scores 100/100English usability scores 92/100Affordability scores 75/100No remote-work visa route |
| 2 | Dubai United Arab Emirates | 84% | $3,417 | $4,583 | 4,583 USD/month left after costsConnectivity scores 100/100English usability scores 88/100Affordability scores 78/100 |
| 3 | Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates | 81% | $2,960 | $5,040 | 5,040 USD/month left after costsConnectivity scores 96/100Affordability scores 80/100English usability scores 86/100 |
| 4 | Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR | 80% | $3,435 | $3,443 | 3,443 USD/month left after costsConnectivity scores 96/100Safety scores 86/100No remote-work visa route |
| 5 | Stockholm Sweden | 80% | $2,723 | $2,232 | 2,232 USD/month left after costsEnglish usability scores 96/100Safety scores 84/100No remote-work visa route |
| 6 | Copenhagen Denmark | 79% | $3,274 | $1,363 | 1,363 USD/month left after costsEnglish usability scores 94/100Safety scores 88/100No remote-work visa route |
| 7 | Seattle United States | 77% | $4,162 | $2,179 | 2,179 USD/month left after costsEnglish usability scores 100/100Connectivity scores 84/100Healthcare scores 86/100No remote-work visa route |
| 8 | Barcelona Spain | 77% | $2,519 | $2,614 | 2,614 USD/month left after costsAffordability scores 75/100Nightlife & culture scores 96/100 |
| 9 | Doha Qatar | 77% | $2,777 | $5,223 | 5,223 USD/month left after costsAffordability scores 81/100Connectivity scores 80/100Safety scores 92/100No remote-work visa route |
| 10 | Valencia Spain | 76% | $1,912 | $3,221 | 3,221 USD/month left after costsAffordability scores 80/100Safety scores 80/100Climate fit scores 81/100 |
| 11 | Tel Aviv Israel | 75% | $3,626 | $1,758 | 1,758 USD/month left after costsEnglish usability scores 84/100Climate fit scores 88/100Nightlife & culture scores 94/100No remote-work visa route |
| 12 | Lisbon Portugal | 75% | $2,416 | $2,001 | 2,001 USD/month left after costsEnglish usability scores 82/100Safety scores 78/100Climate fit scores 83/100 |
| 13 | Toronto Canada | 75% | $3,435 | $2,327 | 2,327 USD/month left after costsEnglish usability scores 98/100Safety scores 76/100No remote-work visa route |
| 14 | Vancouver Canada | 75% | $3,541 | $2,327 | 2,327 USD/month left after costsEnglish usability scores 96/100No remote-work visa route |
| 15 | Tallinn Estonia | 74% | $1,840 | $4,433 | 4,433 USD/month left after costsAffordability scores 83/100English usability scores 80/100Safety scores 84/100 |
The top five, in detail
Zero income tax and a remote-work visa; housing, schooling and the car you will need eat most of the tax saving.
Dubai’s tax profile at roughly 20% lower housing cost, with a quieter, more family-oriented and more car-dependent city.
A ~15% effective tax ceiling and superb transit, paid for entirely in square metres.
Capped childcare fees and universal healthcare make family costs unusually low relative to the headline tax rate.
Other guides
Frequently asked
How was this the best cities for remote workers list produced?
It is a calculation, not an opinion. Each of the 70 cities in the dataset is scored 0–100 on ten dimensions, weighted by the criteria for this guide (Money left over on a $96,000 salary; Broadband speed; English proficiency; Safety; Climate and beach access), and ranked on the weighted average. Costs are measured against a $96,000 gross salary taxed under each country's own rules.
What household does this price?
1 adult, in a 1-bed, city centre, at a moderate lifestyle, without a car. You can change all of that in the live tool.
What is the number one best cities for remote workers?
Singapore, Singapore, with a 85% match and a modelled monthly cost of $3,676 for this household. The best-run city in Asia with low taxes and top-tier healthcare — housing and car ownership are the exceptions.