- In 2024, suburban areas accounted for 45% of the total coworking spaces in the U.S. — a 1% increase from the previous year.
- The Los Angeles metro area has the highest number of suburban coworking spaces in the U.S. (303) with Irvine as the top suburb in this metro, featuring 38 flex spaces.
- Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Boston; Dallas; and San Francisco all have more coworking spaces in their suburbs than their urban centers, highlighting a significant shift in coworking space distribution.
Manicured lawns, backyard barbeques and picket fences have been an important pillar of the American dream for decades. And, this dream turned into a tangible reality for many Americans during the pandemic, when remote work took center stage and the exodus from cities was at its peak. Now, more and more people are sticking to this new status quo by choosing the affordable and generous spaces that suburbs offer in place of the more constrained and higher-priced, but more vibrant urban settings.
Of course, jobs quickly followed suit in this relocation wave. However, this is not the classic chicken-or-egg debate: As homes shifted toward the outskirts, the need for coworking spaces became more prevalent, as well — and it seems that this trend is here to stay.
For this reason, we’re continuing our annual series on coworking in the American suburbs. Specifically, we looked at proprietary data in order to pinpoint the suburbs that registered the highest numbers of coworking spaces by focusing on those with a minimum of 10. Zooming out, we also ranked metro areas with at least three such suburbs.
Suburban Coworking Spaces Make Up Almost Half of U.S. Inventory
In 2024, 45% of the total number of coworking spaces nationwide are nestled in suburban areas. This 1% uptick from just one year ago is a testament to the fact that flex spaces in suburbia are not only here to stay — they’re also gaining a slow, but steady popularity.
You can check the table below and sort the data by metros, as well as the number of coworking spaces in each location.
Los Angeles Metro Leads With 303 Bedroom Community Coworking Spaces
LA stands out as the metro where the coworking scale tips considerably toward the suburbs. More precisely, 303 flex spaces are scattered among picket fences, with less than one-quarter of the inventory being in urban areas.
What’s more, the Los Angeles metro not only boasts the highest number of suburban coworking spaces, but it’s also home to the top hotspot nationwide: Irvine is the ultimate neighborhood flex hub with 38 flex workspaces catering to its residents.
Next, runner-up Newport Beach, registers a total of 19 coworking spaces in its inventory. In this case, the city is acclaimed for its upscale lifestyle and significant employment opportunities in the medical and hospitality sectors.
Not to be outdone, Beverly Hills secures the third position with 15 coworking spaces, thereby reflecting its reputation as a hub of luxury and a thriving retail and entertainment sector. Known for its opulent real estate and high-profile shopping districts, Beverly Hills caters to an upscale market that values premium amenities and services, which is likely a driving factor behind the popularity of its flexible workspaces. Plus, this glamorous locale is an optimal choice for professionals and entrepreneurs seeking all of the benefits of an upscale environment that’s still within easy reach of Los Angeles’ dynamic urban core.
Then, Pasadena and Long Beach share the fourth position in the LA metro with 13 coworking spaces each. In particular, Pasadena serves as a haven for those who are looking for a break from the urban frenzy of Los Angeles, yet who still want to remain conveniently close to the city’s heart. Rose Town is also the site of leading scientific establishments, like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) — factors that likely boost its coworking space appeal. At the same time, Long Beach — which is renowned for its bustling port and rich cultural scene — provides a unique setting that combines accessibility to Los Angeles, but with the relaxed atmosphere of a coastal city.
Additionally, both Santa Monica and Glendale are listed with 11 spaces each, indicating their prominence in the suburban coworking landscape.
Accordingly, major players in the coworking industry have established a strong presence in these LA suburbs: 109 of these spaces are operated by major names, such as Premier Workspaces, Regus, WeWork and ESDI. In fact, 88% of Premier Workspaces’ national holdings are situated in the LA suburbs.
D.C. Suburban Area Claims 2nd Place with 166 Coworking Properties
As you might expect, Washington, D.C. offers an ideal environment for coworking spaces, largely due to its substantial federal government and nonprofit presence. As such, D.C.’s vibrant startup scene — supported by a rich ecosystem of tech innovators and social entrepreneurs — thrives in coworking environments. Plus, the outward migration — fueled by the growing feasibility of remote work — has been particularly pronounced in the Washington, D.C. area, where expensive city living and the desire for more space have pushed both individuals and businesses toward suburban locales.
Here, Arlington, VA leads the pack in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area: The city boasts 21 coworking spaces, underscoring its upscale status and strategic proximity to the Pentagon that attract a variety of businesses and professionals seeking a prestigious and well-connected location. Trailing close behind, Alexandria hosts 20 flex spaces set against a backdrop of some of the area’s most desirable real estate.
Otherwise, McLean, VA adds another dimension to the region’s coworking landscape with 12 spaces. Similarly, Bethesda is home to another 11, while Fairfax and Reston in Virginia round out the offering with 10 spaces each.
Here again, the coworking market in the D.C. metro area is largely dominated by major coworking brands, such as Regus and LocalWorks. Even so, smaller coworking entities — like Carr Workplaces and OpusVO — albeit less prevalent, play a crucial role in diversifying the flex space options available to the suburban workforce around the nation’s capital.
Nearly One-Third of Miami’s 144 Suburban Flex Spaces Found in Just Three Suburbs
In Miami, the local government is proactive in supporting business by providing tax incentives and programs designed to foster startup growth and attract new ventures. As such, the Miami metro is shaping up to become a true coworking powerhouse, tallying 144 coworking spaces scattered across suburbia. Of course, the year-round great weather — combined with a relatively low cost of living compared to other major tech hubs, like San Francisco and New York City — makes Miami an attractive place for startups and established companies looking to offer employees a great work/life balance.
In particular, Boca Raton residents who wish to engage in their daily work in a professional, yet flexible environment can choose from 20 coworking spaces. This wealthy community is situated just a short drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale and provides luxurious lifestyles, spacious residences and plentiful job opportunities, making it a preferred suburb for many.
Next, Coral Gables offers 17 coworking spaces. Chosen for its affluent nature, scenic waterfronts and high-end real estate, the suburb is an appealing spot for coworking facilities looking to expand. Likewise, Doral adds to the podium in Miami with its 10 flex spaces. Located in the heart of Miami-Dade County, it’s renowned for its thriving business environment, top-tier shopping destinations and beautifully maintained parks.
Coworking space providers in these suburbs include leaders like Regus (which dominates the market with 20 flex spaces), as well as popular names — such as WeWork, Quest Workspaces and Industrious — each of which maintain several locations in the area. Additionally, the Miami metro is also home to numerous independent coworking operators, like Buro, Nexus Workspaces and The Crexent, which provide a wide range of options for professionals seeking flexible work environments.
Dallas-Fort Worth Logs 4 Trending Suburbs with 10+ Coworking Spaces
The Dallas-Fort Worth area hosts a significant number of Fortune 500 companies, creating a thriving business landscape that attracts a diverse range of professionals and industries. Moreover, the area’s relatively low cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas makes it an attractive destination for startups and established businesses alike. And, the availability of ample suburban spaces also caters to the growing demand for flexible work environments outside of the traditional central business districts.
In the Dallas metro area, Plano leads with an impressive 25 coworking spaces that cater to a diverse crowd of professional suburbanites drawn to its robust economy and family-friendly amenities. Frisco follows closely, offering 16 spaces that are well-suited for its rapidly growing population of tech-savvy professionals and entrepreneurs. In the same way, Irving — known for its central location and vibrant corporate community — provides 15 coworking spaces. Last, but not least, McKinney adds to the list another 10 spaces that appeal to those looking for a blend of small-town charm and suburban convenience near Dallas.
When it comes to coworking operators in suburban Dallas, Regus dominates again with 24 spaces. But, this doesn’t leave any less room for smaller operators (such as The Drawing Board and Serendipity Labs) to expand and create a diverse balance.
69% of Suburban Coworking Spaces in Phoenix Concentrated in 3 of the Metro’s Bedroom Communities
Given the growing urban sprawl in Phoenix, the presence of a significant number of suburban coworking spaces in the metro might not come as a surprise: Recent trends have shown a shift toward suburban living within the region, which supports the development of commercial facilities (including coworking spaces) outside of the dense urban core. So, it’s not unexpected that Phoenix joined our ranking this year with a total of 77 coworking spaces, more than half of which are concentrated in three suburbs.
Known for its affluent population and vibrant lifestyle, Scottsdale, leads the pack with 29 coworking spaces. It is followed by Mesa and Tempe, which host 13 and 11 coworking spaces, respectively. These suburbs combine accessibility to Phoenix with their unique local amenities, making them attractive for both living and working.
Here, the larger coworking brands (such as Regus and Industrious) have established a strong presence in these areas. That said, smaller, local brands are also gaining traction by offering varied options for professionals seeking flexible working environments outside of Phoenix’s urban core.
Los Angeles & 4 Other Metro Areas Shift More Coworking Spaces to Suburbs Than City Centers
While urban cores remain the more popular backdrop for coworking spaces, some locations stand out as exceptions by registering a significantly higher number of suburban flex options.
The largest gap is registered in the Los Angeles metro, where there are 220 more coworking spaces in the suburbs compared to the city itself. Then, the Washington, D.C. metro follows with the second-largest gap, featuring more than 80 more spaces in its suburbs than in the city. Further north in the Boston area, the suburbs had 53 more coworking spaces than the urban region. Lastly, both Dallas and San Francisco also recorded more suburban coworking spaces this year with 43 and 41 additional spaces, respectively.
Methodology
- For the purpose of our study, a suburb was considered to be a place located within a large metro area. Within each metropolitan location, we singled out the largest city and considered the remaining ones as suburbs. No population filter was used.
- We counted each individual coworking space once for each address/operator in our database.
- To determine the top 43 leading suburbs, we sorted through more than 900 suburban locations with at least one coworking space each and focused on those that had at least 10 coworking spaces per suburb.
- For the purpose of this year’s study, the total number of Flex Workspaces+ properties were excluded from consideration due to their reclassification from coworking spaces to private suites, affecting Irvine, CA and Newport Beach, CA.
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