Survey finds Naples has highest share of remote workers

NAPLES, Fla. — Naples, Florida has attracted more remote workers than any other city in the US, according to a recent survey by business analytics firm Yardi Matrix. For millions of workers office buildings are now optional, work is anywhere you want it to be.

The study found that 22.3% of workers in Naples are remote, beating out tech hubs such as Seattle (14%), Austin (13.4%) and San Francisco (11.8%). The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign in 2021 to attract remote workers, and the city’s combination of good weather, beaches, amenities and lack of state income tax have made it a successful destination. “We’ve used the tagline, ‘if you can work anywhere, why not work in paradise?’” said Michael Dalby, President and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

A study from Upwork found that almost five million people have already relocated due to remote work, and another 19 million are looking to move. “Primarily what we’re seeing is businesses in the northeast or Midwest that allowed their employees to work remotely, those employees are looking for a great place to live, work, and play,” Dalby said.

“What we’d like to see happen is those workers come here and they like being here, eventually some of them might start their own businesses,” said Dalby. “And that helps our economics.”

It’s not just Naples attracting remote workers.

The survey found West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville have high shares of remote workers who relocated.

However, there are concerns that the influx of newcomers could put pressure on the already tight housing market.