This City Was Just Named the Most Affordable in the U.S. for Digital Nomads

More than 18 million Americans count themselves as a digital nomad—someone who can work from anywhere, meaning they can live anywhere, too. But that doesn’t always mean jetting off to Europe, Asia, South America, or anywhere else involving a passport. Digital nomads, including those seeking a more affordable lifestyle, are also moving to destinations across the U.S. And if you want to explore new places without breaking the bank, StorageCafe, a digital storage marketplace, knows exactly where you should head domestically next. 

In August, StorageCafe released its list of the best “live-work-play” destinations in the nation, ranking them based on four main factors: lifestyle, digital readiness and work infrastructure, safety and health, and affordability. It used publicly available data, including census information, WalkScore ratings, weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and safety data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

It then ranked 169 major U.S. cities based on the data to see “how well they cater to digital nomads,” creating a shortlist of “ideal destinations for anyone ready to embrace the lifestyle—pack their bags, place what matters in storage, and live with one foot in the sand (or snow) and the other in a Zoom meeting.” And coming out on top as the most affordable destination on the list is Springfield, Missouri. 

“Topping the list is Springfield, where average total monthly expenses come in at just $2,299,” the findings stated about the city, which ranked No. 31 overall. “Springfield ranks among the most affordable digital nomad destinations when it comes to groceries, transportation, utilities,  and especially housing. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for just $925/month, the second-lowest rate in our entire ranking, narrowly topped only by McAllen, Texas, at $876.” 

However, it does have some stiff competition from nearby cities. “The Midwest is leading the charge [on affordability], claiming nine of the top 10 most affordable spots for digital nomads looking to stretch their dollars without compromising on lifestyle,” the findings explained. As for other affordable destinations, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, came in at No. 2, followed by McAllen, Texas; Appleton, Wisconsin; Lansing, Michigan; Omaha, Nebraska; Lincoln, Nebraska; Champaign, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; and Columbus, Ohio, rounding out the top 10 most budget-friendly. 

As for the top spot overall, that went to a very close neighbor: St. Louis, Missouri. 

“Modern, walkable, and affordable, St. Louis tops the list as the No. 1 city for digital nomads—offering an ideal blend of digital readiness and lifestyle perks,” the company shared in the findings. “With some of the fastest internet speeds in the country and a solid network of coworking spaces, your workflow won’t miss a beat.”

The findings also noted that the city is a spectacular place for outdoor adventure, ranking No. 4 overall in lifestyle offerings and No. 5 in the number of parks per 10,000 residents.

Beyond the fun, the rankings also explain that housing is really what won St. Louis the top spot. “You can live affordably even in historic neighborhoods near the city center—something that’s becoming rare in larger metros like Chicago,” it added. “That affordability extends to daily living costs, making it easier for nomads to enjoy urban life without stretching their budgets.” 

It was followed by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which the company said “strikes a compelling balance between digital connectivity and lifestyle appeal,” and the ever-favorite digital nomad destination Austin, Texas, in No. 3. Here, any newly minted digital nomad will be in good company as “28% of working Austinites are remote, while the city is top 15 in internet speed and coworking spaces.” 

Where else should you consider spending your digital nomad days? See the full rankings at storagecafe.com.