The rise of the internet has propelled the growth of the gig economy. Rather than hold down a 9-to-5 job with a single employer, workers are increasingly weaving together their livelihood from a number of short-term gigs.
Those who drive a car for Uber or assemble furniture for customers found on the TaskRabbit app will find their job prospects are limited to their immediate area. However, specialized independent workers — such as website designers, voice actors and accountants — can call virtually any city home.
Still, you might want to consider living in one of the following cities, which are hot spots for gig economy workers in professional, technical and creative industries. In these communities, you’ll find vibrant atmospheres, excellent broadband availability and, in most cases, a relatively affordable cost of living.
[See: 12 Best Part-Time Jobs to Pay the Bills.]
New York City
Fiverr, a platform for freelance jobs, partnered with market research firm Rockbridge Associates to analyze data from the U.S. Census Bureau to track where independent workers were likely to land in 2017. New York City topped the list. There are nearly 135,000 more gig workers in New York City than in Los Angeles, the second most popular city.
While New York City has a high cost of living, it offers several appealing perks. For freelance workers in fields such as law and finance, the city’s business district means plenty of opportunities for networking. Living in a big city near shops and entertainment venues can also be a draw for many gig workers.
What’s more, New York City offers legal protections to freelancers through its Freelance Isn’t Free Act. The local law requires freelancers to receive contracts for work worth $800 or more, protects them against retaliation and preserves litigation rights, among other things. “That was really the first of its kind protection for freelancers,” says Brent Messenger, global head of community for Fiverr.
Miami
Miami’s freelance workforce is the fastest growing in the U.S., according to the Fiverr gig employment analysis. The number of people participating in the gig economy in Miami grew 32 percent from 2011 to 2015.
Paul Pavlou, a professor of information technology at Temple University’s Fox School of Business, says gig workers are often younger and attracted to cities that have a cosmopolitan culture. Miami, with its diverse population and reputation for fun, offers the right mix to attract millennial freelancers.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers big-city amenities at a low cost of living. Plus, gig work has been embraced here by not only workers, but by employers as well.
“Minneapolis tends to be forward-thinking when it comes to adopting new tech trends,” says Mynul Khan, founder and CEO of Field Nation, a Minneapolis-based gig work platform. “We’ve got plenty of large businesses based here that are already transitioning away from a more traditional workforce toward one that leverages more gig workers.”
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are also home to museums, cultural activities and outdoor recreation, and offer ideal locales for gig workers looking to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
San Francisco
San Francisco may be known for its high cost of living, but it’s still a mecca for gig workers. That may be partially because the Bay Area, along with nearby Silicon Valley in San Jose, California, has a reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Those are the traditional areas [for short-term positions] and will continue to attract gig workers,” Pavlou says. The city’s startup culture, diverse population and proximity to innovative events make it a long-standing favorite with independent workers.
[See: How to Manage Your Money in Your 20s.]
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga may seem like a surprising destination for gig workers. But thanks to its citywide fiber internet network, it has become major hub for startups and freelancers.
“You’re able to do more in Chattanooga sitting in your pajamas than [if you were] in San Jose next to Stanford,” says Charles Wood, vice president of economic development for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. That’s because the Chattanooga fiber network allows for fast downloads. That’s important for gig workers who need to send large files such as videos or software to clients.
Chattanooga can also check the box on a lot of personal benefits for gig workers, says Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. The city offers workers a low cost of living, a blossoming arts and culture scene and ample outdoor recreation opportunities.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is another under-the-radar option for gig workers. While the city lacks the flashy reputation of cities such as New York City and San Francisco, Birmingham has been steadily adding amenities that make it a prime spot for freelancers.
The city’s Innovation Depot is the largest tech startup program in the Southeast and offers coworking space and offices for entrepreneurs and independent workers. For creative types, MakeBHM provides access to studio space and tools. There are also events throughout the year, such as Innovation Week, which is held each summer to provide an opportunity for startups to highlight their work and freelancers to network.
Atlanta
Pavlou says Atlanta is popular with gig workers because it offers a big-city experience at a lower cost than other metropolises. Plus, the city has a favorable business climate and is home to the headquarters of 25 Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. Its proximity to many major firms can also be a boon to remote workers. The career website Monster analyzed data, using the TalentNeuron tool from insights and technology company CEB, and identified Atlanta as one of the top cities for contract job listings.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City is one of four cities participating in the Digital Workforce Development Initiative, a collaborative effort of Fiverr, online learning platform Udemy and the nonprofit Samaschool, which provides training to freelancers.
Messenger says Kansas City was a natural fit with the program, which will provide a range of services, such as workshops and mentoring, to help support gig workers and expand access to freelance work. The community was the first in the nation to get high-speed internet through Google Fiber, which has helped create an environment in which small businesses, startups and independent workers can thrive.
District of Columbia
It isn’t just gig workers who flock to the nation’s capital. The district also earned a top spot on the U.S. News 2018 Best Places to Live list. As the nation’s capital, residents have access to numerous free museums and cultural events. What’s more, the District of Columbia is known for its extensive public transportation, vibrant dining scenes and eclectic neighborhoods.
Pavlou says the cost of living has been rising in the district, which might make it difficult for gig workers who don’t have steady sources of income. However, he still says the city has enough going for it that it ranks among his top three communities for professional freelancers.
[See: 10 Offbeat Ways to Earn Extra Money.]
Los Angeles
In the Fiverr analysis, Los Angeles is second only to New York City when it comes to the number of specialized independent workers calling it home. More than a third of these gig workers are creative professionals, such as actors or performers.
For these workers, being near film studios and other artists is enticing. Los Angeles also offers a diverse population, an attribute that may be valued by gig workers who want to live where they can collaborate with people from all walks of life.
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10 Cities Where Gig Workers Can Flourish originally appeared on usnews.com
