Taipei makes the list of top 10 cities worldwide most suitable for remote work.

In the era of advanced internet connectivity, remote work has become a desired way of working for many individuals. You no longer have to confine yourself to a traditional office setting; instead, you can choose to work from a location with high overall quality of life. Among the top ten cities globally that are most suitable for remote work, Madrid in Spain takes the lead, followed by Portland in the state of Maine in the United States and Taipei in Taiwan.

Global decentralized team human resources platform Remote.com ranked the top 100 cities worldwide based on factors such as quality of life, safety, internet infrastructure, travel opportunities, and current economic indicators (including inflation and economic stimulus for newcomers).

Madrid, Spain topped the list due to its perfect blend of classical art, architecture, cuisine, and ideal conditions for remote workers visiting Spain. The city’s low tax policies and generous visa options for foreigners make it ideal for freelancers and remote workers.

Taipei, Taiwan welcomes remote workers with open arms. The Taiwan Employment Gold Card is a document that combines work permits, residence visas, alien resident permits, and multiple-entry permits. Taipei boasts a thriving expatriate community, fast internet access, and abundant coworking spaces.

The city also offers excellent public transportation, rich cultural offerings, and outdoor activities. Although the cost of living is higher compared to most other Asian regions, it is still lower than in most Western countries.

Portland, Maine in the United States is the only American city to make it into the top ten global rankings.

Here are the top ten U.S. cities in Remote.com’s global ranking:

1. Portland, Maine (overall ranking 7th)
2. Honolulu, Hawaii (overall ranking 19th)
3. Des Moines, Iowa (overall ranking 20th)
4. New York City, New York (overall ranking 21st)
5. Concord, New Hampshire (overall ranking 23rd)
6. Minneapolis, Minnesota (overall ranking 26th)
7. Hamilton, Ohio (overall ranking 27th)
8. Topeka, Kansas (overall ranking 29th)
9. Louisville, Kentucky (overall ranking 30th)
10. Montpelier, Vermont (overall ranking 32nd)

According to CNBC, in the U.S. cities most suitable for remote work, the median household income is $71,000, monthly rent is around $1,400, and the median home value is approximately $412,000, with 58% of residents being college graduates.

Co-founder and CEO of Remote.com, Job van der Voort, said, “In our report, Portland is rated as the best U.S. city for remote work, highlighting the city’s strong infrastructure, vibrant community, and overall quality of life facilities provided for remote workers.”

In the U.S. city rankings, Honolulu, taking the second spot, is a major tourist destination widely popular among visitors, while New York City, being the largest city in the U.S., boasts a vast job market and influences American culture.

Van der Voort added, “Cities in the Midwest like Des Moines, Topeka, and Hamilton received high rankings in part due to their pioneering remote-friendly incentive programs. For example, Hamilton and Topeka offer economic incentives for remote workers, such as student loan repayment credits and relocation subsidies.”