Raleigh ranks No. 4 in nation for work-life balance | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's Note: This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal.

    Raleigh has emerged as a national leader in promoting a balanced lifestyle, recently ranking No. 4 in Coworking Cafe's report on the Best US Cities for Work-Life Balance and Mental Health. This recognition places Raleigh among the top-tier cities, trailing only Minneapolis, MN; St. Paul, MN; and Omaha, NE.

    Several key factors helped Raleigh earn its high ranking. First and foremost is the city's strong embrace of remote work. According to the report, 23.4% of Raleigh's workforce operates remotely. This figure is the 15th highest of the 100 cities evaluated.

    Coupled with an average income of $82,4000 and a cost of living index of 97.2, residents in Raleigh are easily able to balance work and life, according to the report. Additionally, commute times contribute to Raleigh's overall appeal. The average one-way commute for those working in the office was found to be 23.4 minutes.

    The city also ranks high in access to green space, with 22.3 acres of land per 1,000 residents.

    This all reflects a vision for the future of work outlined by experts like Dr. Christopher Meyers, associate professor at Johns Hopkins University, cited in the study.

    Speaking to Coworking Cafe, Meyers emphasized the technological growth in the cities that came out on top.

    "The future of work will continue to rely on technology to facilitate working whenever and wherever, so cities should focus on developing areas where people want to work instead of areas where they have to work," he said.

    Other Notable Rankings

    North Carolina's overarching business success further boosts Raleigh's attractiveness. According to CNBC's 2025 state-level ranking, North Carolina amassed 1,614 points. It topped categories like workforce and economy, ranking No. 1 in the US for business. However, CNBC reported that the state fell behind in cost of living and quality of life, placing 29th and 23rd, respectively.

    Additionally, North Carolina's leadership in STEM talent supports Raleigh's strengths. A Coworking Cafe study rated Raleigh as a top 10 large metro STEM hub, with 32 doctorate-holders per 100k residents, ranking ninth nationally in that category. Nearby, Durham secured first place in the mid-size category, with 235 doctorate holders per 100k residents.