As 2024 comes to a close, we’ve discovered notable highlights and key developments in cities across the United States. From tech innovation to green living, the places shaping our future are thriving in unique and exciting ways. But, what do a desert oasis, a bustling tech hub and a mountain town have in common? They’re all redefining what it means to live and work in a community that prioritizes progress, sustainability and opportunity.
Want to know what makes your city stand out this year? In this article, we showcase some of the standout cities from several CoworkingCafe studies conducted throughout the year by exploring what makes them unique and offering insights into the qualities that define their success.
San Francisco, CA: Where Sustainability Meets Success
San Francisco led the way in our 2024 studies by creating abundant opportunities for young professionals while fostering a lifestyle rooted in sustainability.
As the top-ranked green city in the U.S., San Francisco stood out with 68% of its public transportation being environmentally friendly. Plus, an impressive 95% of households have access to convenient recycling services for their waste. This dedication to eco-conscious living sets a national benchmark.
In addition to its green credentials, San Francisco excels in economic prosperity: The city led our Best Cities for the Class of 2024 and boasted the highest median income for college graduates among large U.S. cities at more than $106,500 annually. Another standout metric showed that 79% of its residents benefited from health insurance coverage.
Furthermore, each worker in San Francisco contributed $147 in value per hour to earn the 5th spot for hardest-working American city.
Washington, D.C.: Balancing Careers, Families & a Greener Future
The nation’s capital presents a space where green living and strong community support go hand in hand.
For instance, as the best city for working parents, Washington, D.C. offered an unparalleled mix of resources, including a great number of public schools and a job market where more than 82% of roles were office-based. Notably, this high percentage of office-based positions provides stability and predictability, making it easier for parents to balance career responsibilities with family life.
The city’s green initiatives are equally impressive: With nearly 2,000 sustainable buildings, Washington, D.C. is the 2nd-greenest city in the U.S. Additionally, almost 25% of workers commuted via public transportation, highlighting its commitment to eco-friendly mobility. Meanwhile, for recent graduates, the city was a standout choice with a median income exceeding $83,900 — making it the 7th-ranked location for the class of 2024.
Scottsdale, AZ: Where Opportunity & Green Spaces Thrive Together
In Scottsdale, the beauty of the desert meets a thriving entrepreneurial spirit. Accordingly, opportunities flourish for small business owners, families and young professionals alike.
Recognized as the top U.S. city for entrepreneurs in 2024, the city has a great community of self-employed residents. It also boasted a remarkable 38% GDP growth over a five-year period.
Here, Scottsdale’s economic appeal extends to families with childcare costs averaging just 12% of the median annual household income — well below the national average of 19%. And, for nature enthusiasts, the city led the nation with the highest amount of green space per capita, which contributed to its ranking as the 4th-best U.S. city for working parents.
Furthermore, with a median income for graduates exceeding $84,000 and nearly 72% receiving employer-based health insurance, Scottsdale stands out as a hub for opportunity and growth. The city also ranked as the 6th-best mid-sized city for recent graduates to start a career.
Atlanta, GA: Where Affordability Fuels Innovation
Atlanta blends Southern charm with a modern edge by offering affordability and exceptional support for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
To be precise, Atlanta took the top spot in our Most Affordable U.S. Cities list by offering a stable economy, affordable cost of living and top-tier support for remote workers. With fast internet and a wealth of coworking spaces, the city was ideally suited for the nearly 30% of its total workforce engaged in remote roles.
Similarly, as the 3rd-best city for entrepreneurs, Atlanta’s vibrant business landscape was evident with its impressive number of business applications. This entrepreneurial success was further bolstered by Atlanta’s impressive 35% growth in median earnings over a 12-month period, as highlighted in our Economic Growth report. With affordability, innovation, and economic momentum, Atlanta is a city where both remote workers and entrepreneurs can thrive.
Arlington, VA: A Career Powerhouse for Professionals & Families
With a strong office-based job market, Arlington provides an ideal environment for professionals and families seeking stability and opportunity in the D.C. metro area.
Specifically, Arlington stood out as America’s hardest-working city with an impressive employment rate exceeding 85% among residents aged 25 to 64, as well as one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates at just under 3%.
Arlington was the top mid-sized city to start a career, offering a median income of nearly $94,500 for recent graduates. To that end, more than 82% of workers benefit from employer-based health insurance, further enhancing its appeal to young professionals. Arlington also ranked 3rd in our Best U.S. Cities for Working Parents list, thanks to its robust job market — where 85% of positions were office-based — as well as its schools, which ranked seventh in the nation by state education metrics.
Minneapolis, MN: Where Well-Being & Opportunity Go Hand in Hand
Minneapolis shines with its thriving economy and accessible health care to create an environment that prioritizes both well-being and opportunity.
Leading the nation in terms of work/life balance and mental health, Minneapolis stood out with an impressive 94% health insurance coverage rate. And, its economic landscape was equally appealing with a median income now exceeding $76,300 and a cost of living below the national average.
It’s also worth noting that Minneapolis ranked as the 3rd best large city to start a career for the class of 2024. With a median graduate income of more than $70,200 — as well as one of the lowest unemployment rates for people aged 20 to 29 at a little more than 3% — it’s a city that fosters both professional growth and personal fulfillment.
Miami, FL: A Thriving Hub for Entrepreneurs & Innovators
Miami’s vibrant energy drives its entrepreneurial spirit by offering a supportive culture for self-starters.
In particular, Miami secured the 2nd spot for entrepreneurs with a great community of self-employed residents and an impressive number of business applications.
Or, for those seeking flexible workspaces, Miami offers a generous portfolio of coworking spaces, making it an ideal hub for networking and collaboration. At the same time, the city ranked 5th in affordability when comparing traditional offices to coworking spaces, where businesses and individuals can increase their savings by making the switch to the latter, with a team of 10 potentially saving up to $70K annually.
Orlando, FL: Where Entrepreneurs Thrive & Opportunities Grow
Orlando’s sunny outlook extends beyond its theme parks with a thriving business community and a growing population that’s increasingly educated and opportunity-focused.
Namely, Orlando claims an impressive number of business applications as proof of its thriving entrepreneurial spirit that supported its spot as the 4th best U.S. city for entrepreneurs.
Moreover, driven by a strong sense of community and progress, the city also showcased an increase in educational attainment, which ranked Orlando as the 6th best city for economic growth.
Seattle, WA: Where Sustainability Meets Success for Graduates & Professionals
Seattle thrives as a hub of healthy living and professional success. From leading green energy adoption to efficient commutes, it’s a city designed for the future.
For example, the city boasted a median income exceeding $90,000 for graduates. This, combined with nearly 66% of its workforce holding a bachelor’s degree, helped it rank as the 5th best large city for 2024 graduates to start their careers.
Seattle’s dedication to sustainability is equally impressive with 77% of its electricity generated from renewable sources, primarily hydropower. This achievement earned it the title of the 5th greenest city in the U.S. What’s more, the locals’ eco-conscious mindset also landed them in the top five when it came to efficient waste management, with two out of three Seattleites actively using the city’s advanced recycling options.
Portland, OR: A Model of Sustainability & Well-Being
Portland exemplifies a city that values both environmental stewardship and the well-being of its residents.
Ranked as the 3rd best city in the U.S. for green initiatives, Portland excelled with nearly 90% of residents having access to efficient recycling services, making it easier to manage waste responsibly. It also recorded a steady rate of bike commuting. Plus, it held the third spot in the national air quality index, thereby underscoring its commitment to clean living.
Portland also claimed an impressive 94% of workers covered by health insurance. With a focus on sustainability and well-being, the city sets a high standard for healthy urban living. Ultimately, the city secured the 14th spot for work/life balance and mental health.
Boston, MA: Where Career Success Meets Family-Friendly Living
Boston combines thriving professional opportunities with strong support for families by offering the best of both worlds through innovation and adaptability.
For instance, for businesses, the city offered substantial savings. That’s because switching from a traditional office can reduce overall costs of over $95,000 by moving a small team into a coworking space. This makes it the 4th-best location for companies looking to diversify their workspaces with a different approach.
Otherwise, for families, the city led the nation with the best availability of pediatricians, as well as top-tier schools, earning it the 6th spot in the U.S. for working parents.
Graduates entering the workforce also find Boston to be a promising destination: With a median income of more than $81,400 for recent grads and more than 71% of workers receiving employer-based health insurance, the city ranked as the 8th–best place to start a career.
Austin, TX: A Hub of Innovation, Growth & Opportunity
In Austin, innovation meets opportunity with a rapidly growing economy and a focus on fostering small businesses.
Ranked as the 5th best city for entrepreneurs, Austin boasted a remarkable 46% GDP growth over a five-year period and claimed an engaged labor force participation rate of nearly 75% during the same period.
Meanwhile, for the class of 2024, Austin has significant employer-based health insurance coverage at nearly 71%, which earned it the 6th-best large city to launch a career for recent grads.
Irvine, CA: A City Where Mental Health & Career Flexibility Thrive
Irvine combines a strong focus on mental health and work/life balance with opportunities for part-time workers and a thriving, educated community.
In particular, Irvine showed an impressive mental health score of 95 out of 100, which included metrics like average work hours per week and the number of recreational amenities. This helped the city rank 7th for work/life balance and mental health.
While Irvine excelled in offering quality opportunities — with job-seekers having an 80% chance of finding part-time work with health insurance coverage — a notable advantage is flexibility and security. This performance earned it 14th place in our study of the Best Cities to Land a Part-Time Job for the Summer Break.
Boise, ID: Where Economic Growth Meets Mental Health & Balance
Boise combines rapid economic growth with a lifestyle that values mental health, remote work and work/life balance.
Here, Boise boasted an impressive 41% five-year GDP growth while managing to keep the cost of living under control. That secured it the 8th spot for best U.S. cities for entrepreneurs.
The city also showed a focus on well-being by ranking 12th for work/life balance and mental health. That incorporated a notable mental health prosperity score of 92 out of 100, which included metrics like average work hours and health insurance coverage rates. Likewise, for remote workers, Boise offers great convenience with the shortest average commute time among our top 20 cities at just more than 19 minutes. With its thriving economy, focus on mental health, and ease of living, Boise is a standout destination for professionals and families alike.
Denver, CO: Digital Connectivity & Family-Friendly Living
Denver pairs cutting-edge digital connectivity with a family-friendly focus, making it an attractive destination for remote workers and working parents alike.
Ranked as the 8th most affordable U.S. city for remote workers, Denver stands out as one of the most well-rounded places for remote work, offering much more than just affordability. It excels with fast, reliable internet connections, making it an ideal choice for those working from home.
Additionally, Denver provides great medical support for families with children, further contributing to its ranking as the 12th-best U.S. city for working parents. Its robust economy was fueled by a 34% increase in inflation-adjusted median earnings in the last 12 months. This growth helped Denver secure its spot as the 13th-best U.S. city for economic growth.
