These Are The Best ‘Third Place’ Cities For Remote Workers, According To New Analysis

Remote work while traveling is all fun and games until the cafe decides to forego WiFi or ban laptops altogether. Great third-places make all the difference for remote workers looking to strike a balance between the isolation of working from home and the structure of going into a physical office—and seeking out cities with an abundance of third spaces makes remote working and traveling so much better.

A new analysis from business communications company Nextiva has narrowed down the best U.S. cities for remote workers looking to log into work outside of their home. The company looked at things like cafe density, affordability, and also surveyed six hundred remote workers across the country to better understand how third spaces factor into a successful work/life balance when you work remotely.

Below are the top five third-place cities for remote work, according to the report.

Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver, Washington, ranks first overall thanks to its remarkably high concentration of high-quality cafes. The city boasts nearly 35 coffee shops per 10,000 and each of its top 25 cafes have a four-star rating or higher. The cafes also boast free WiFi, adequate seating, and relatively moderate prices.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle earned second place which doesn’t come as a major surprise given its reputation as one of the leading coffee cities in the U.S. Seattle boasts roughly ten cafes per 10,000 residents and about 800 locations overall. The overall cost is slightly higher than other cities on the list but most cafes offer strong internet and high-quality drinks and pastries, which can be worth it for those who really want something reliable.

Kansas City, Kansas

Kansas City, Kansas, came in third place, emerging as a strong option for remote workers and digital nomads seeking affordability and options. Kansas City boasts one of the highest cafe densities among mid-sized cities and has consistently strong ratings.

Tacoma, Washington

The third city in Washington to make the top five, Tacoma, stood out for its reliable cafes. The cafe culture performed well across most key metrics, including the ratings, affordability, and the availability of remote worker-friendly amenities. It also boasts lower prices than neighbor Seattle.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis rounds out the top five thanks to its balanced cafe culture that combines quality, comfort, and accessibility. The city’s top cafes consistently got high ratings while the average price of a pastry was the lowest on the list.