San Antonio's bustling telework industry is earning a new reputation as one of the most affordable in the country. A recent study by online retailer The Perfect Rug has revealed San Antonio is the No. 5 cheapest U.S. city center for remote work.
The report ranked the top 10 largest U.S. cities based on population data, the number of coworking spaces and cafes per capita, statewide average internet speeds, average apartment rent prices, and more.
San Antonio falls fifth to the West Texas city of El Paso (No. 1), Austin (No. 2), Houston, and Seattle, Washington (No. 4).
When it comes to finding the best place to work remotely, San Antonio has an abundance of options including coffee shops, coworking spaces, and local library branches. According to the report's data, there are about three coworking spaces and 18 cafes per capita in the city, but San Antonians know best that there is a much wider variety of places to work from "home" than whatever number a study determines.
The average internet speed in Texas is 425.9 mbps (megabits per second), which is the fourth-highest internet speed out of the six total states (and the District of Columbia) mentioned in the study. Pennsylvania, Washington, and Washington, D.C. all have faster average internet speeds, at 430.8, 451, and 473.8 mpbs, respectively.
The study also calculated the average costs for meals, coffee, and monthly rent in San Antonio:
- $1,116 per month – Average apartment rent cost in central Houston
- $20 per hour – Average cost for a desk at a coworking space
- $18 – Average cost for a meal
- $5.40 – Average cost for a coffee
Furthermore, San Antonio-based remote workers are technically saving on fuel costs compared to those who have to
commute into the city daily for their jobs.
A spokesperson for The Perfect Rug said Texas cities like El Paso, Austin, and San Antonio are far more popular for "budget-conscious" remote workers partially because
rent costs are far lower in comparison to many other U.S. cities.
"On the other hand, cities like Washington, D.C., and Seattle, while more expensive, compensate with faster internet speeds and a higher density of workspaces, which can enhance the remote work experience," the spokesperson said. "Finding the right balance between cost and amenities is key for remote workers seeking both productivity and affordability."
Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas ranked as the No. 7 most affordable city for teleworkers.
The top 10 cheapest U.S. cities for remote workers are:
- No. 1 – El Paso, Texas
- No. 2 – Austin, Texas
- No. 3 – Houston, Texas
- No. 4 – Seattle, Washington
- No. 5 – San Antonio, Texas
- No. 6 – Washington, D.C.
- No. 7 – Dallas, Texas
- No. 8 – Denver, Colorado
- No. 9 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- No. 10 – Nashville, Tennessee
