BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — The pandemic of 2019-2020 may have passed some time ago, but its impact can still be felt today, especially in the job market. The advent of remote jobs has reshaped many aspects of the labor force, to the point where many would prefer to stay working from home even now that returning to the office is entirely possible. However, the nature of remote work means that it is even more effective when performed in a state with high internet speeds and low bills — such as North Dakota.

As part of a study on remote work across the country, researchers with Digital Directory Express used data from the Energy Information Administration and World Population Review to gauge the average electricity bills, internet costs, and wifi speeds of each state. When these statistics were weighed against one another to determine a total, it was determined that ND is one of the best places for remote workers — and in fact, is tied for the title of best in the nation.

While North Dakota’s internet speed is slower than that of New Mexico, its energy bills are also slightly less, thus allowing the two states to comfortably share the lowest score, and thus, the highest index rating possible. In contrast to these numbers, states like Florida, California, and New Jersey are generally referred to as the worst states for remote work, primarily due to a mixture of high bills and low internet speeds.

“Just over one-third of workers in the US now work from home, according to Pew Research Center, and it’s a trend that shows no signs of slowing down,” states Digital Director Express spokesperson Sam Rogers. “But it is striking to see the inequality across different states when it comes to basics like internet speed, which is absolutely vital for home working, as well as the need for affordable cooling and heating (depending on the season) when you’re staying in the house all day. If we want to mobilize what is now over 14 percent of our workforce, it’s important that states invest in improving key issues like internet speed and work to make bills manageable, especially in a heatwave that is forcing households to increase their spending on Air Conditioning to stay cool and function in the home”.

To learn more about North Dakota’s IT industry — as well as view a list of facts on its statistics and growth over time — visit this page on the state government’s website.

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