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In the evolving landscape of remote work, a new breed of professional has emerged: the “work tourist.” These digital nomads choose destinations not just for vacation but as temporary home bases from which to work remotely. Minneapolis, with its blend of urban amenities and midwestern charm, has positioned itself as an emerging hub for this growing work tourism demographic.
What Is The “Work Tourism” Phenomenon?
Work tourism represents a fundamental shift in how professionals approach their careers and living situations. According to a 2025 study by Remote People, there are approximately 35 million digital nomads globally, contributing to a collective economic value of $787 billion annually 1. These professionals are leveraging location independence to experience new cities while maintaining their careers.
The typical work tourist stays in a destination for 3-6 months, with six months being the sweet spot for most digital nomads. This timeframe allows them to truly experience a location beyond what a typical vacation would permit, while still maintaining the flexibility to move on to new destinations 1.
Minneapolis: An Emerging Work Tourism Destination
Remote Work Demographics in Minnesota
Minnesota has the highest rate of remote work in the Midwest, according to a 2024 analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis 2. Nearly 17% of Minnesotan workers reported usually working from home as of 2022, including both fully remote and hybrid workers.
The state’s remote workforce has some distinctive characteristics:
- Remote workers tend to be highly educated (63% have a bachelor’s degree or higher)
- Most are mid-career professionals (over 50% are between 35-54 years old)
- Women make up 53% of remote workers (compared to 48% of the overall workforce)
- 82% of remote workers are White, with Asian Americans slightly overrepresented, while Black, Hispanic, and Native workers are underrepresented 2
Workspace Infrastructure Supporting Work Tourists
Minneapolis has developed a robust infrastructure to support remote workers and work tourists:
- Extensive Coworking Options: The city boasts 86 coworking spaces with daily rates starting from just $4, according to Nomads.com 3. These spaces offer fast WiFi (up to 88 Mbps) and various amenities tailored to remote workers.
- Diverse Workspace Environments: From the historic Grain Exchange building housing Coco’s downtown location to women-centered spaces like ModernWell, Minneapolis offers specialized environments for different work preferences 4.
- Strategic Location: As noted by Professor Colleen Flaherty Manchester from the University of Minnesota, “Minnesota had 17 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state as of 2024, while most other states in the Ninth District had none.” This concentration of corporate headquarters creates a robust professional ecosystem that attracts remote workers 2.
The Economic Impact of Work Tourism
Work tourists bring significant economic benefits to their temporary homes. The average digital nomad has a monthly budget of $1,875 ($22,500 annually) 1, which they spend on accommodations, coworking spaces, dining, entertainment, and local services.
For Minneapolis, this represents an opportunity to tap into a growing market segment. Work tourists typically spend more than traditional tourists due to their longer stays and need for amenities that support their work life.
Challenges and Opportunities
Seasonal Considerations
Minneapolis faces unique challenges in attracting year-round work tourists due to its extreme seasonal variations. While summers are warm and vibrant, winters can be prohibitively cold for those unaccustomed to such conditions. This creates a natural seasonality to the city’s work tourism appeal.
Housing and Cost Considerations
While Minneapolis remains more affordable than coastal tech hubs, the cost of living for a digital nomad in the city is estimated at $4,605 per month according to Nomads.com 3. This positions the city as a mid-tier option in terms of affordability for work tourists.
Community Integration
One of the primary challenges for work tourists is building a sense of community during their temporary stays. According to the global digital nomad study by ABrotherAbroad.com, loneliness and lack of connection are the #1 reasons digital nomads return home 1. Minneapolis’s coworking spaces are addressing this by hosting community events, networking opportunities, and social gatherings specifically designed to integrate temporary residents.
How Coco Serves Work Tourists
Coco, one of Minneapolis’s premier coworking providers, has adapted its offerings to serve the specific needs of work tourists:
- Flexible Membership Options: With day passes starting at $45 and monthly memberships beginning at $49, Coco provides options for work tourists at various stages of their stay 4
- Multiple Locations: With spaces in both Downtown and Northeast Minneapolis, Coco allows work tourists to experience different neighborhoods while maintaining consistent work environments.
- Community-Building Events: Regular programming helps integrate temporary workers into the local professional ecosystem, addressing the isolation that often challenges digital nomads.
- Amenities That Matter: High-speed fiber internet, printing services, kitchen facilities, and in some locations, exercise rooms and bike storage cater to the holistic needs of work tourists.
The Future of Work Tourism in Minneapolis
As remote work continues to evolve, Minneapolis is well-positioned to capitalize on the work tourism trend. The city’s combination of urban amenities, cultural attractions, natural beauty, and robust professional infrastructure makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads seeking alternatives to traditional remote work hubs.
The trend toward larger, more amenity-rich coworking spaces observed in the U.S. Coworking Industry Report for Q2 2025 aligns well with Minneapolis’s offerings 5. As the industry matures, the focus on quality over quantity in coworking spaces benefits cities like Minneapolis that offer premium experiences rather than just basic workspace solutions.
Conclusion
The rise of work tourism represents a significant opportunity for Minneapolis to attract talented professionals who bring economic benefits and diverse perspectives to the city. By continuing to invest in infrastructure that supports remote workers and fostering communities that welcome temporary residents, Minneapolis can establish itself as a premier destination for the growing population of location-independent professionals.
For work tourists considering their next destination, Minneapolis offers a unique blend of midwestern hospitality, urban sophistication, and natural beauty that makes it worth experiencing—not just for a vacation, but as a temporary home base from which to work and explore.