The rise of remote work has reshaped the American workplace, but the reality for many households is a delicate balancing act: While some family members embrace remote work, others may require daily commutes to the office.
With that in mind, the following study explores this dynamic in Florida by identifying the top 10 cities that best support both work-from-home (WFH) and work-from-office (WFO) lifestyles. By analyzing key metrics — including remote work infrastructure, commuting data and quality-of-life factors — we reveal the top locations bringing the best of both worlds in the Sunshine State.
Florida’s Best Cities for Remote & On-Site Work: #1 Fort Lauderdale Leads in Remote Work & Strong In-Office Appeal
Seven of the top 10 cities are concentrated in two regions: South Florida claims Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and West Palm Beach all within a 70-mile corridor, whereas, on the Gulf Coast, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Brandon form a 30-mile cluster. Orlando, Jacksonville and Tallahassee round out the list, offering a ranking that spanned the state.
Notably, south Florida cities typically excel in remote-work readiness with three of the four ranking higher in that category, while West Palm Beach shows a slight edge toward in-office strengths. Meanwhile, Orlando and cities farther north — Jacksonville and Tallahassee — lean more heavily toward in-office advantages.
WFH
Remote work-friendly businesses: Fort Lauderdale ranked among the top cities in Florida for remote-friendly businesses, according to U.S. Census Bureau metro-level data. This status is underpinned by a robust economy, particularly in tech and telecom. Local companies — such as Citrix Systems and Accelirate — along with national players, like AT&T, create a strong base for flexible work opportunities. Coworking availability: Fort Lauderdale boasts 14.2 coworking spaces per 100,000 residents to rank second in Florida and fifth nationwide among 210 cities. Options range from national chains, like Regus and Spaces, to local hubs, such as General Provision and Axis Space. Internet speed: With the second-fastest internet speeds in the top 10, the city offers a crucial asset for professionals in bandwidth-intensive industries, such as tech and finance.WFO
City amenities & entertainment: Fort Lauderdale leads Florida in amenities per capita, offering more than 1,600 venues per 100,000 residents. These include fitness centers, restaurants, health care providers and daycares. Specifically, the vibrant Las Olas Boulevard — with its cafes, art galleries and nightlife — provides a dynamic environment where on-site workers can seamlessly balance work and leisure. Quality office space (Class A/A+): Fort Lauderdale ranked third in Florida for its share of Class A and A+ office spaces. Namely, buildings like Las Olas City Centre and The Main Las Olas offer premium spaces that cater to companies embracing the “flight to quality” trend, as well as those supporting employee satisfaction, talent retention and brand prestige. Share of on-site workers: Around 80% of the city’s workers spend time on-site — a solid figure, but also one that leaves room for growth compared other cities in the state.WFO
Quality office space (Class A/A+): With 58% of its office inventory classified as Class A, Miami leads Florida in premium office space, thereby catering to companies seeking attractive environments to recruit and retain top talent. In particular, buildings such as Wells Fargo Center, Sabadell Financial Center, and MiamiCentral offer modern amenities, like state-of-the-art technology, wellness facilities, rooftop terraces and LEED-certified sustainability features. Mixed-use office buildings: Approximately 30% of Miami’s office buildings feature mixed-use developments that blend workspaces with retail, residential and hospitality options — a major draw for hybrid workers seeking convenience. City amenities & entertainment: Miami ranked second for amenities and entertainment density, boasting around 1,400 venues per 100,000 residents. This thriving scene creates a dynamic backdrop to the workday. Employees can also enjoy cultural landmarks and culinary hotspots in areas like Brickell, Little Havana, Wynwood and the Miami Design District. Homeownership affordability: Miami has the highest discrepancy between the median housing value and median salary, meaning that residents have lower purchasing power for housing compared to other cities on the list.WFH
Park density: Orlando’s top remote work asset is its abundance of green spaces with 104.7 parks per 100,000 residents — the highest ratio among the top 10 cities by a significant margin. Here, parks like Lake Eola Park, Bill Frederick Park and the Mead Botanical Garden offer green spaces for working remotely while enjoying nature. This outdoor appeal allows freelancers and remote workers to step away from their screens and recharge, which contributes to a healthier work/life balance. Free Wi-Fi: The city ranked second for free Wi-Fi density, making it easier for remote workers to find a connection in public spaces. This connectivity even extends to the city’s world-renowned theme parks. In fact, freelancers and digital creatives can be seen working in iconic spots, like Disney World, Epcot and Universal CityWalk. Rent Affordability: Granted, affordability is a consideration as Orlando recorded the second-highest rent-to-income ratio in the top 10.WFO
Quality office space (Class A/A+): Orlando boasts a strong presence of high-quality office space with approximately 55% of buildings identified as Class A — the second-highest share among the ranked cities, just behind Miami. In particular, premium buildings — like The Plaza, CNL Tower and Lincoln Plaza — cater to growing industries, such as defense, technology, finance and health care. City amenities & entertainment: Orlando ranked third in amenities density by offering more than 1,100 venues and work-friendly establishments per 100,000 residents. As such, office workers can enjoy a wide range of dining, entertainment and cultural attractions. To that end, areas like Thornton Park, Mills 50, and Lake Nona Town Center provide ample opportunities for lunch breaks, after-work activities and networking events.WFH
Average apartment size: With an average apartment size of 1,083 square feet, Coral Springs offers the most spacious living among the top 10 cities. Combined with the third-best median rent-to-income ratio, the city provides excellent value for those seeking roomy and affordable living spaces.
Remote work-friendly businesses: Coral Springs shares the top spot in Florida for remote work-friendly businesses thanks to its inclusion in the Miami metro area, which hosts a high concentration of industries that support remote work. This gives residents access to diverse professional opportunities without needing to relocate.
Free Wi-Fi: Coral Springs has fewer free Wi-Fi hotspots compared to other top-ranking cities, which limits connectivity options for remote workers on the go.
WFO
Mixed-use office buildings: Coral Springs ranks second among the top 10 cities for mixed-use office buildings with approximately 28% of its office spaces integrated with retail, residential and other amenities. This setup creates a convenient and engaging environment that’s particularly appealing to office workers looking to seamlessly combine work, errands and leisure. Office parking availability: Commuters in Coral Springs benefit from the second-highest density of parking spots among the top 10 cities. This ample parking is a significant advantage, especially given the city’s average commute time of nearly 30 minutes. City amenities & entertainment: Coral Springs offers a comfortable work environment, but has a more limited selection of entertainment and dining options compared to other top-ranking cities. Thus, those seeking a vibrant after-work social scene may need to explore nearby areas, like Fort Lauderdale.WFH
Coworking availability: West Palm Beach offers a robust coworking scene, ranking third among the top 10 cities for coworking density. For example, remote professionals have access to spaces like Industrious in the Esperanté Corporate Center that’s known for its premium amenities, as well as 1909, which is a nonprofit dedicated to mentorship and accelerator programs.
Share of remote workers: Despite plentiful coworking spots, only 15.7% of West Palm Beach residents work remotely — the second-lowest share among the top 10 cities.
WFO
Share of on-site workers: West Palm Beach has a strong on-site work culture, with 84.3% of its workforce working in-person. This is the second-highest percentage among the top 10 cities, highlighting the city's reliance on physical workplaces and industries like finance, healthcare, and tourism that value in-person collaboration. Mixed-use office buildings: Approximately one-quarter (24.8%) of West Palm Beach’s office buildings are mixed-use and primarily located in vibrant downtown areas, like Clematis Street and Rosemary Square. These developments integrate workspaces with retail, dining and residential options to support a convenient live-work-play lifestyle that appeals to modern professionals.WFH
Average apartment size: Tallahassee boasts the second-largest average apartment size among the top 10, offering ample room for dedicated home office setups. Meanwhile, apartments here are also the second-most affordable relative to average salaries, making Tallahassee a compelling option for remote workers looking for more space on a budget.
Share of remote workers: Despite its advantages for remote work, Tallahassee has the smallest share of remote workers in the top 10 with just 8.4% of residents working from home.
WFO
Share of on-site workers: Tallahassee leads the top 10 with 91.6% of workers commuting to on-site working roles. As Florida’s state capital, much of the workforce is tied to government roles that necessitate in-person attendance. Commute time: On-site workers in Tallahassee benefit from the shortest average commute in the top 10 at just 20.1 minutes, compared to the top 10 average of 26.4 minutes. This Equates to an extra 40 hours saved annually — time that would otherwise be spent in traffic. Public transit costs: Tallahassee offers the most affordable public transportation fares among the top 10, making it an economical choice for office workers who prefer not to drive. Plus, the city’s StarMetro bus system also recently expanded routes to improve access to major employment hubs. Office parking availability: While the office parking ratio is slightly lower than other cities, the plentiful and low-cost public transportation options help mitigate this.WFH
Rent affordability: Jacksonville stands out as the most affordable city in the top 10 for remote workers with median rent consuming just 24.3% of household incomes — even lower than in Tallahassee. This financial edge offers meaningful flexibility for the 17.8% of Jacksonville residents working from home — a share that’s more than double that of Tallahassee. Free Wi-Fi: While Jacksonville offers clear affordability advantages, it lags in infrastructure that supports remote work outside the home. More precisely, the city has the second-lowest density of coworking spaces among the top 10, making it less appealing for remote workers seeking shared or alternative workspaces.WFO
Homeownership affordability: As the most populous city in Florida with nearly 1 million residents, Jacksonville combines its scale with notable affordability. Housing values relative to household incomes are the second most favorable in the top 10, providing a unique advantage for office-based workers aiming to settle close to work. Commute time: Jacksonville boasts some of the fastest commute times in the state, both by car and public transit. Notably, the city also offers the second-cheapest public transportation fares in the top 10, making the daily journey to work both efficient and cost-effective. City amenities & establishments: Jacksonville’s status as a hub for in-office work is somewhat offset by its lower density of entertainment venues — including museums, retail options and restaurants — relative to its population size. While this can limit convenient amenities for office workers, areas like Riverside and San Marco nevertheless offer vibrant pockets of dining and cultural activity near key employment centers.WFH
Share of remote workers: Average apartment size: Despite its strong remote workforce, Tampa has apartments on the smaller side, offering an average of 923 square feet. While this is cozier than other cities in the top 10, it’s offset by Tampa’s growing number of remote-friendly amenities, including coworking spaces concentrated in neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Ybor City.WFO
Commute time: Tampa’s average commute of 25 minutes makes it a commuter-friendly city, ranking third-shortest among the top 10. Meanwhile, recent improvements — such as the Selmon Extension and ongoing upgrades to Howard Frankland Bridge — are further reducing travel times and easing congestion. Mixed-use office buildings: While the density of these buildings ranks third-lowest among the top 10, Tampa’s skyline is evolving with a wave of mixed-use developments. That includes marquee projects, like Water Street and Gas Worx, which combine office spaces with residential, retail and entertainment options.WFH
Unemployment rate: At 2.1%, Brandon recorded the lowest unemployment rate among the top 10 cities, signaling a stable local economy and consistent job opportunities — a strong foundation for remote workers.
Average apartment size: Remote workers in Brandon benefit from the third-largest average apartment sizes in the top 10, which offers ample room for home office setups. Coupled with the third-fastest internet speeds, Brandon provides a productive environment for those working from home.
Rent affordability: However, Brandon’s appeal comes with a tradeoff: Its rent-to-income ratio is the third-highest among the top 10. This makes housing costs a notable consideration, particularly for remote workers balancing flexibility with affordability.
Park density: Access to outdoor spaces here is limited: Brandon came in last for park and green space density per capita, according to the Trust for Public Land. For active remote workers seeking a work/life balance that includes nature, this may present a drawback.
Commute time: On the downside, Brandon’s commuters experience the longest average travel times (exceeding 30 minutes) among the top 10 cities — the only city on the list to cross that threshold. Therefore, as a commuter town to the wider Tampa area, residents might expect longer daily commutes. While ample parking helps alleviate some of the frustration, the extended travel time is a consideration for those deciding to live and work in the area.
WFO
Homeownership affordability: Brandon shines for office-based workers looking to settle down by offering the best homeownership affordability among the top 10. In particular, housing values relative to household incomes make it an attractive option for those planning to put down roots. Office parking availability: Commuters are well-supported in Brandon with the highest office parking ratio in the top 10. Accordingly, ample parking options cater to the city’s strong in-office culture, easing one of the more common urban commuting challenges. Share of on-site workers: Brandon’s workplace culture leans heavily toward on-site work with the city posting the third-highest share of on-site workers among the top 10. The city’s retail and leisure strengths — including large shopping centers, like Westfield Brandon Mall, as well as various recreational facilities — contribute to this trend as many employees in these sectors are required to work in person.WFH
Share of remote workers: With 21.7% of its workforce working from home, St. Petersburg has the highest percentage of remote workers in the top 10, even surpassing nearby Tampa.
Parks density: One of St. Petersburg’s standout features is its abundance of green spaces as it ranks second in park density among the top 10. For remote workers, these parks — like Vinoy Park and Crescent Lake Park — offer ideal spots for outdoor breaks or a refreshing change of scenery during the workday.
Average apartment size: That said, apartment size remains a tradeoff: St. Petersburg’s apartments are the second-smallest in the top 10, which limits space for dedicated home offices or added comforts that remote workers may seek.
High-speed internet coverage: St. Petersburg lags behind in high-speed internet access and free Wi-Fi availability, posing challenges for its significant remote workforce. Namely, outdated broadband infrastructure in older neighborhoods and limited public Wi-Fi coverage beyond hubs like the St. Pete Pier and Edge District contribute to this gap. To address these challenges, the city is implementing initiatives like the Digital Inclusion Program and Wi-Fi hotspot loans through the St. Petersburg Library System.
WFO
Homeownership affordability: St. Petersburg offers a favorable housing market for office-based workers with one of the best value-to-income ratios in the top 10. This affordability makes the city an attractive option for those looking to own homes close to work. Share of on-site workers: Naturally, St. Petersburg’s strong remote work culture means it also has the lowest share of on-site workers in the top 10 with only 78.3% of the workforce commuting to on-site roles.Beyond the top 10, the study included 14 Florida cities with populations above 100,000 and complete data. Explore the full rankings for all cities in the table below.
You can also compare the WFH, WFO and overall scores of any two Florida cities using our interactive tool:
Methodology
Our analysis included the 14 cities in Florida with at least 100,000 residents and with complete data across all of our metrics.
We awarded each city two separate scores — one for its work-from-home conditions and infrastructure (WFH score) and one for its work-from-office conditions and infrastructure (WFO score). Each city could earn up to 50 points in either category based on its performance across our metrics. The 14 Florida cities were then ranked based on the sum of their WFH and WFO scores. Note: U.S. Census Bureau data, which is available only at the metro level, assigned the same score to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach and Coral Springs for this metric.
WFH score metrics included:
- Share of remote workers: Up to 10 WFH points were awarded for the percentage of a city’s population listed as working remote, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. A city’s WFH score for its share of remote workers and its WFO score for its share of on-site workers are inversely proportional and always add up to 10. For example, St. Petersburg — the city with the highest remote worker share across all cities — received 10 points for its share of remote workers and zero points for its share of on-site workers. Tampa — the city with the next-highest remote worker share — received 9.5 points and 0.5 points, respectively, and so on.
- Rent as percentage of household income: Up to 5 WFH points were awarded inversely proportional with the percentage of a city’s median household income that was taken up by that city’s gross median rent, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Gross rent is defined as contract-listed rent plus the estimated average monthly cost of utilities and fuels.
- Average apartment size: Up to 5 WFH points were awarded for a city’s average apartment size, according to proprietary data provided by Yardi Matrix. This only includes apartments in multifamily units encompassing 50 or more units that were completed as of the end of 2023.
- Coworking density: Up to 5 WFH points were awarded for the number of coworking spaces located in a city per 100,000 residents. Data was provided by CommercialEdge.
- High-speed internet coverage: Up to 5 WFH points were awarded for the percentage of locations in a city that providers report are serviced by broadband internet with speeds of at least 1,000 Mbps, or fixed wireless networks with speeds of at least 10 Mbps. Data source: FCC.
- Free Wi-Fi hotspot density: Up to 5 WFH points were awarded for the number of free Wi-Fi hotspots per 100,000 residents. Data source: WiFi Map.
- Park density: Up to 5 WFH points were awarded for the number of parks with public access within a city’s limits per 100,000 residents. Data source: Trust for Public Land.
- Remote work-friendly businesses: Up to 5 WFH points were awarded for the number of businesses that are likely to offer remote jobs based on their industry per 100,000 residents. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics. Because data is only available at a metro level, all cities in the same metro received the same score in this metric. Remote work-friendly industries were defined as:
- NAICS Code 51: Information
- NAICS Code 52: Finance and insurance
- NAICS Code 54: Professional, scientific and technical services
- Unemployment rate: Up to 5 WFH points were awarded inversely proportional with a city’s unemployment rate as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Note: A city’s unemployment rate awarded it the same points in both the WFH and WFO scores.
WFO score metrics included:
- Share of on-site workers: Up to 10 WFO points were awarded for the percentage of a city’s population listed as working on-site, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. A city’s WFO score for its share of on-site workers and its WFH score for its share of remote workers are inversely proportional and always add up to 10. For example, Tallahassee — the city with the highest on-site worker share across all cities — received 10 points for its share of on-site workers and zero points for its share of remote workers. West Palm Beach — the city with the next-highest on-site worker share — received 9.8 points and 0.2 points, respectively, and so on.
- Housing value to household income ratio: Up to 5 WFO points were awarded inversely proportional with the ratio between median housing value in a city and that city’s median household income for owner-occupied units. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau.
- Quality office space (Class A/A+): Up to 5 WFO points were awarded for the share of office space listed as Class A or A+ out of the city’s total office inventory. This metric only includes properties larger than 25,000 square feet completed by the end of 2023 and with a primary use type listed as office. Data source: CommercialEdge.
- Mixed-use office buildings: Up to 5 WFO points were awarded for the share of mixed-use office properties out of the total number of office properties in a city. Mixed-use office buildings also contain a different class of commercial real estate, most commonly retail space. This metric only includes properties larger than 25,000 square feet that were completed by the end of 2023 and with a primary use type listed as office. Data source: CommercialEdge.
- Office parking availability: Up to 5 WFO points were awarded for the ratio of total office parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of office space in a city. This metric only includes properties larger than 25,000 square feet that were completed by the end of 2023 and with a primary use type listed as office. Data source: CommercialEdge.
- Commute time: Up to 5 WFO points were awarded inversely proportional with the mean one-way commute time for on-site workers in the city. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau.
- Average public transit fare: Up to 5 WFO points were awarded inversely proportional with the minimum cost of a one-way public transportation trip with no deductions or surcharges. Data source: American Public Transportation Association.
- City amenities & establishments: Up to 5 WFO points were awarded for the number of amenities, venues and establishments in a city that can encourage or support working from the office rather than from home per 100,000 residents. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns. Amenities and establishments supporting or encouraging on-site work were defined as:
- NAICS code 4451: Grocery and Convenience Retailers
- NAICS code 4452: Specialty Food Retailers
- NAICS code 4561: Health and Personal Care Retailers
- NAICS code 6111: Elementary and Secondary Schools
- NAICS code 6244: Child Care Services
- NAICS code 7121: Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
- NAICS code 7131: Amusement Parks and Arcades
- NAICS code 7139: Other Amusement and Recreation Industries
- NAICS code 7225: Restaurants and Other Eating Places
- Unemployment rate: Up to 5 WFO points were awarded inversely proportional with a city’s unemployment rate as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Note: A city’s unemployment rate awarded it the same points in both the WFH and WFO scores.
