SALT LAKE CITY — Utah ranks as the best state in the nation for working from home, according to a new report from personal finance website WalletHub, highlighting the state’s strong combination of affordability, internet access and living conditions.
The report evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 metrics, including internet cost, home size, cybersecurity and the share of people working remotely. Utah finished No. 1 overall with a total score of 70.07.
Utah’s top ranking was driven largely by its living environment, where it ranked first in the nation. The state also placed ninth for work environment.
Among the specific factors, Utah ranked:
- First for average home square footage
- Sixth for electricity costs
- Sixth for internet cost
- 10th for household internet access
- Ninth for share of residents working from home
Analysts say those factors combine to create an ideal setting for remote workers, particularly as hybrid and fully remote jobs remain common years after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“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,” said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst.
The report notes that about 12% of full-time employees nationwide work fully remote, while another 27% follow a hybrid schedule.
Utah stands out in part due to housing conditions. The average home size in the state is about 2,459 square feet — the largest in the country — which researchers say helps reduce overcrowding and improves productivity for remote workers.
The state also benefits from relatively low electricity and internet costs, along with widespread broadband access. Approximately 18% of Utah’s workforce currently works from home, though more than 95% could potentially do so based on job type.
Neighboring Idaho ranked significantly lower, coming in at No. 39 overall.
As remote and hybrid work arrangements continue to evolve, the report suggests that location will remain a key factor in determining both cost savings and quality of life for workers.