Remote Worker Friendliness Index
Evaluate cities for remote work based on internet connectivity, cost of living, and time zone alignment with your team.
See How Remote-Work Friendly a City Feels
Combine Wi-Fi quality, cost of living, and time zone overlap into a simple 0-100 index. Pick one or two cities, then choose your anchor region and schedule.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi & workspace
Affordability
Living costs
Time Zone
Hour overlap
Based on static indicators, not live speed tests or real-time prices
Understanding Remote Work Friendliness
Learn what makes a city ideal for remote workers and how we calculate our composite Remote Worker Friendliness Index.
What is the Remote Worker Friendliness Index?
The Remote Worker Friendliness Index is a composite score (0-100) that measures how well a city supports remote work. It combines three key pillars: internet connectivity quality, cost of living affordability, and time zone alignment with your team or clients.
Higher scores indicate cities where remote workers can enjoy reliable internet, manageable living costs, and reasonable working hours overlap with their anchor region.
How We Calculate Scores
Each pillar is scored 0-100 based on multiple factors:
- •Connectivity (40%): Wi-Fi speed, reliability, coworking spaces, cafe workability
- •Affordability (30%): Overall cost of living, housing costs, basic expenses
- •Time Zone (30%): Overlap with your selected anchor region (US, EU, or Asia-Pacific)
The Three Pillars of Remote Work Friendliness
Connectivity
Reliable, fast internet is non-negotiable for remote work. We measure average fixed Wi-Fi speeds, connection reliability, availability of coworking spaces, and cafe workability for those who prefer public spaces.
Affordability
Remote work freedom means little if living costs eat your income. We factor in overall cost of living indices, housing costs (rent/buy), and everyday expenses like groceries and utilities.
Time Zone Overlap
Working hours matter. We calculate overlap based on your anchor region (US, EU, Asia-Pacific) and schedule preference (standard, early, late, flexible) to estimate how many collaborative hours you will share.
Tips for Choosing a Remote Work Location
- 1.Test internet speed before committing—speeds can vary by neighborhood
- 2.Consider backup connectivity options (mobile hotspots, nearby cafes)
- 3.Factor in time zone impact on your wellbeing, not just overlap hours
- 4.Look beyond rent—consider healthcare, taxes, and visa requirements
- 5.Visit coworking spaces to gauge the local remote work community
- 6.Consider seasonal factors if weather affects your productivity
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Remote Worker Friendliness Index
The index combines three weighted pillars: Connectivity (40%), Affordability (30%), and Time Zone Overlap (30%). Connectivity measures Wi-Fi speed, reliability, and coworking availability. Affordability reflects cost of living and housing costs. Time Zone Overlap calculates working hour alignment with your selected anchor region. Each component is scored 0-100, and the weighted average produces the final index.
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