(HAMILTON COUNTY) - Carmel and Fishers are emerging as national leaders in remote work, landing in the top 10 best U.S. cities for remote workers, according to a new study highlighted by Network Indiana.
The rankings come from a recent analysis by CoworkingCafe, which evaluated U.S. cities with populations over 200,000 across four categories: remote work infrastructure, economic health, digital connectivity, and availability of coworking spaces. Carmel ranked sixth nationally, while Fishers followed closely at seventh. They were the only Midwestern cities to place in the top 10, outperforming well-known tech centers such as Denver and Berkeley.
Remote work has become a defining feature of life in Hamilton County. The study found that 27% of Fishers residents work remotely -- the seventh-highest rate in the nation -- while 24% of Carmel residents do so, ranking 17th nationally. Both cities benefit from strong digital infrastructure, with about 60% fiber internet coverage, supporting the high-speed connectivity required by remote professionals.
The report also pointed to strong local economic conditions. Fishers ranked first nationwide for economic performance within the remote work category, with a 1% unemployment rate and a median income of $70,000. Carmel also performed well, ranking among the top cities for low unemployment at 2.1% and posting a median income of $71,688.
For workers seeking alternatives to home offices, the study highlighted access to coworking spaces. Carmel ranked 18th nationally for coworking density, with 13 spaces per 100,000 residents, while Fishers stood out for affordability, earning recognition for having the third-lowest coworking prices in the country.
The findings underscore how Carmel and Fishers have positioned themselves as competitive destinations for remote workers, combining economic strength, modern infrastructure, and quality-of-life amenities as flexible work continues to reshape where Americans choose to live and work.