From staff reports
The gig economy means that more and more people are taking the plunge and working for themselves — often in a freelance capacity. The freedom of choosing projects, being your own boss, and working from home can be attractive to many.
But how much do you need to work to be able to afford to live in your city? A recent COMMERCIALCafe study compared average monthly housing expenses and a variety of coworking options that freelancers might choose in different metro areas. The results were enlightening.
“Census data shows states like Texas, Florida, Nevada, Utah and Colorado’s population growing by double-digits since 2010,” the company said. “In Texas, six counties―Harris, Tarrant, Bexar, Dallas, Denton and Collin — are among the top 10 net gainers in terms of numbers.”
The south had the most freelance workers — 37 percent of those responding said they worked in the region. Plano and Houston were among the best picks, in fact, for those who wanted access to a private office at an affordable price.
“If you are a freelancer who is just starting out and still earning below $38 per hour, there are several places where you can find affordable housing and coworking options,” the study of freelance work said. “You can rent an apartment by yourself and pay for a hot desk membership while earning between $23 and $31 per hour in Kansas City, Mo., Detroit, Fort Worth or Dallas.”
