These are the 10 best states to work from home. Where is Washington on the list?

Do you dream of working from the comfort of your home?

Washington state ranks among the best states in the nation for remote work, according to a new study by financial planning platform WalletHub.

“Strong remote-work conditions typically include affordable living costs, a comfortable home environment and reliable security,” WalletHub financial writer Adam McCann wrote in an April 6 article.

That’s why it’s crucial to find the perfect set-up.

“Things like energy costs, internet speed, home sizes and how many people live together can greatly impact people’s savings and productivity,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said.

Here’s where Washington state ranked on the top 10 list, and why:

What are the benefits of working from home?

“Working from home can save people a lot of money on transportation expenses, as well as make their work environment a lot more comfortable and their hours more flexible,” Lupo said.

According to the U.S. Career Institute, remote workers in the United States save an average of 55 minutes every day by skipping the commute.

Remote employees enjoy the freedom to eat or exercise during a lull in the workday, the accredited online school said.

You can also save money on work clothing, meals and childcare by telecommuting, according to job posting platform Indeed.

Disadvantages of working from home include an increased feeling of isolation, distractions at home and a disconnect from your co-workers.

“Although working from home can help increase your productivity, it can also challenge it,” Indeed said. “With the freedom to move around and take breaks whenever the mood arises, it might be difficult to stay focused, which can ultimately lead to lower productivity.”

Is Washington a good state for telecommuters?

Washington state was eighth on WalletHub’s list of the top 10 states for working from home in 202, with an overall score of 63.9.

The Evergreen State has the third highest share of people remotely, trailing behind the District of Columbia and Colorado.

It also ranks among the top five states with the highest shares of households with broadband internet.

However, Washington state lags behind much of the nation in terms of cybersecurity, WalletHub said.

What are the top 10 states for remote work?

According to WalletHub, these were the top 10 best states for working remotely in 2026:

1. Utah
2. Delaware
3. Connecticut
4. Maryland
5. Massachusetts
6. New Jersey
7. Rhode Island
8. Washington state
9. Virginia
10. North Carolina

How did WalletHub rank best places for remote work?

To identify the best places for remote workers, WalletHub said it compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across two key dimensions: work environment and living environment.

The financial planning site evaluated those dimensions based on 12 key metrics, including:

• Share of employees working from home
• Internet access and costs
• Cybersecurity
• Electricity prices
• Average home square footage
• Homes for sale with lots larger than 1,000 square feet

Data came from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Energy Information Administration, Internet Crime Complaint Center, Realtor and Zillow.

Julia Hawkins

The Bellingham Herald

Julia Hawkins joined The Herald as a service journalism and general assignment reporter in December 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham.