As remote workers, we’re often alone during our workday. It’s important that we still have some type of human interaction during our work. Many of us turn to coworking spaces to provide that personal and professional connection.
Having said that, the cost of a coworking membership can be a barrier to entry for some. This is especially true if you’re starting a new business, or your employer doesn’t provide any kind of stipend for this type of expense. This begs the question: How much does the membership to a coworking space actually cost per month?
We went down the rabbit hole on this exact question to provide a data-filled answer for 2024. We looked at each state to get an average price of the two most popular types of coworking memberships: a hot desk and a dedicated desk. If you aren’t familiar with those, here are the differences:
- Hot desk – a membership that gives access to “common” areas, as well as the basic amenities that the space provides. Also commonly called a flex desk.
- Dedicated desk – a membership that includes a permanent desk that’s yours, in an area that you (and only you) can work. Typically this is not in an office, but still in some type of open space.
There are over 6000 coworking spaces in the United States, and we looked at over 400 of them around the country to get our relevant averages for each state.
Our Methodology
To make sure we had a comprehensive and accurate dataset on a statewide level, we had to have some rules on how we gathered this data. Here are some important points:
- We pulled a proportionate amount of data from cities based on their size. For example, we pulled more information from the city of Los Angeles than we did from Sacramento.
- We did the same with states as well, where able (this was difficult with low-population states, so we pulled as much data as we could in those instances).
- Memberships needed to include access during business hours (9am-5pm) and access 5 days per week, at least.
- We excluded any memberships that only charged per day/week so as not to alter the averages significantly (i.e., a hot desk membership that costs $125 per week).
- We purposefully excluded big chains like WeWork, Industrious, etc. Again, this was done so that certain states/cities didn’t have skewed data any which way.
The Results
The coworking industry is still in its infancy even as 2024 approaches, but these findings made me realize that the industry is growing up. With the exception of a few outliers, the price variations are starting to fall in line with the general economy of the state itself.
- Nationwide hot desk average per month: $198
- Nationwide dedicated desk average per month: $321
- Nationwide hot desk median: $193
- Nationwide dedicated desk median: $317
| State | Hot Desk | Dedicated Desk |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $81 | $241 |
| Kansas | $108 | $206 |
| South Dakota | $117 | $185 |
| North Dakota | $142 | $250 |
| Utah | $146 | $257 |
| Iowa | $146 | $196 |
| Indiana | $157 | $216 |
| Vermont | $157 | $317 |
| West Virginia | $158 | $200 |
| Missouri | $159 | $281 |
| Wisconsin | $161 | $251 |
| Alabama | $163 | $285 |
| Ohio | $164 | $351 |
| Georgia | $166 | $310 |
| Mississippi | $167 | $290 |
| Michigan | $169 | $312 |
| Kentucky | $172 | $254 |
| South Carolina | $175 | $311 |
| Idaho | $177 | $305 |
| Virginia | $179 | $321 |
| Maine | $179 | $308 |
| Montana | $181 | $328 |
| Nebraska | $182 | $290 |
| New Hampshire | $182 | $324 |
| New Mexico | $184 | $274 |
| Rhode Island | $193 | $340 |
| Arizona | $199 | $372 |
| Illinois | $200 | $356 |
| Oklahoma | $201 | $284 |
| Florida | $201 | $351 |
| Alaska | $202 | $297 |
| Maryland | $205 | $307 |
| Tennessee | $205 | $326 |
| Pennsylvania | $206 | $297 |
| North Carolina | $207 | $317 |
| Colorado | $214 | $372 |
| Louisiana | $219 | $375 |
| Wyoming | $220 | $253 |
| Hawaii | $224 | $362 |
| Arkansas | $226 | $405 |
| District of Columbia | $229 | $365 |
| Minnesota | $244 | $365 |
| Washington | $253 | $381 |
| Connecticut | $266 | $374 |
| New Jersey | $267 | $409 |
| Texas | $276 | $400 |
| Nevada | $279 | $405 |
| Oregon | $279 | $399 |
| California | $293 | $465 |
| Massachusetts | $298 | $422 |
| New York | $343 | $525 |
Hot Desk Prices (2024)
Delaware had a much lower average hot desk membership price than I was expecting, $81. On the flip side, the highest hot desk average membership is a whopping $550 in New York (surprise, surprise).
Obviously, real estate (and demand) is much higher in NY than in Delaware. However, my guess is that Delaware’s low price says more about the size of the state and the maturity of coworking as an industry in that area.
Dedicated Desk Prices (2024)
The averages of the dedicated desk memberships were a little more in line with what I was expecting. If you can get in a quality coworking space for less than $200 for a hot desk membership, you’re usually in good shape.
However, some prices that individual spaces had were interesting. For example, a coworking space in South Dakota will give you a dedicated desk for the price of $80! Low population or not, that’s an insane bargain. On the high side, a coworking space in New York takes the top prize at $750 for the highest dedicated desk.
Weird Stuff
South Dakota has the lowest combination of both a hot desk and dedicated desk. For only $130 per month at the same coworking space, you could afford to get both a hot desk membership AND a dedicated desk…wowza. That’s a far cry from the highest combination of $1100 at a coworking space in Connecticut ($400 for hot desk and $700 for a dedicated desk).
Speaking of Connecticut, we saw some wild prices in some of their coworking spaces. Of the spaces that we compiled data from in Connecticut, we found that the lowest-priced hot desk membership ($33) is there, as is one of the highest ($500). The second-highest dedicated desk is there as well, at $700.
How Much is Too Much? Too Little?
So how much should you be ok with paying for a coworking membership? In my opinion, this is a question about the additional benefits (see below). I’m not going to pay $250/month for a hot desk membership that only offers me a place to work. Networking is important to me, and I expect my coworking space to facilitate some of that.
In the event that the coworking space has the basics, works to organize and host events, and cares about building a thriving community, then it’s a different story. I would be comfortable paying up to $300 with relative ease. This is a representation of what the space brings to my business, so I’m happy to pay.
It’s important to note that there are “worthy” and “unworthy” coworking spaces in cities big and small. I’ve been in large coworking spaces that are beautiful in their design, but there’s no community whatsoever. On the flip side, I’ve been in small coworking spaces in small towns that had an amazingly close-knit and helpful community. It’s super important to factor that into your decision-making when looking at joining a coworking space, not just the price of a membership.
Additional Benefits of Coworking Memberships
As with anything, the devil is in the details. The price of a coworking membership is no different. There’s an argument to be made for how certain coworking spaces actually save you money. You have the basics like free coffee, free printing (probably), etc. But there are plenty of hidden fiscal benefits as well:
- Free lunches on certain days
- Free snacks and fruit
- Members can easily become clients over time
- Usage of equipment without having to buy it (scanners, printers, etc)
- Potential tax deductions
- Proximity to industry experts and influencers
In my opinion, the access to potential clients is easily the biggest value-add when it comes to a coworking membership. When I was running my agency, there was a time when we could attribute 20% of our revenue to members and relationships in our coworking space. Obviously, this will vary based on your industry and business, but for us it was huge.
Additionally, being in close “proximity” to influential people in your industry is meaningful as well. The more established your coworking space is, the more likely they will prioritize events and networking opportunities. Examples could be a lunch-and-learn with a contract attorney or even panel discussions. Some coworking spaces even factor in credits to apply to certain networking events instead of a cash exchange:
Networking opportunities can be seamlessly integrated into the coworking membership price by incorporating a credit system. Each coworker receives credits with their membership, allowing them to easily participate in events and workshops without the hassle of cash transactions. This credit-based approach simplifies the process, as members can spend just a few credits, like 2, on networking activities, which is more convenient than dealing with actual dollars. The use of credits is efficiently managed through coworking space management software, eliminating any complexities in distributing or tracking them.
Marketing – andcards
How to Choose the Right Coworking Space
If you’ve never done this before, it can be a bit overwhelming. This is especially true if you live in a larger city with a lot of choices. That said, your decision of which space to choose can be boiled down into 4 main categories:
- Your needs
- Location
- Community
- Flexibility and value
The most important factor when considering which coworking space to join is to find one that feels right for your vibe. You’re going to be there all day, every day, so if you’re not comfortable—if you can’t see yourself as part of the community—it will never work long term. Tour several spaces to see which one feels like the best fit for you.
Founder of The lab and Coworking Convos Host
Your Needs
First and foremost, you need a place that will help your work thrive, not stifled. This means that you need to feel comfortable, productive, and access to everything you need in a typical workday. Is the coworking space quiet enough for you? Does the kitchen have everything you need in case you want to cook your lunch? Are the bathrooms clean? These are all important questions that need to be considered if you intend to be a member for the long-term.
Choosing the right coworking space is crucial to staying productive and efficient when you work alone. While your individual needs might vary, everyone is looking for convenience, comfort, a stimulating environment and of course, good value. The right community can make a big difference for any independent remote worker.
Founder of Yellowbird Marketing and coworking member
Location
The allure of working remotely can be easily lost if you still have to deal with a significant commute to get to your coworking space. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure your drive or train ride is something you’re ok with before committing to a membership. For me personally, I’m ok going a little further regularly if it means I’m going to be more productive or the community is better.
If you’re driving, consider the parking situation. There’s a WeWork near me that I specifically refuse to work at because the cost for parking $20 per day (and the monthly price isn’t much cheaper). That’s way too much in my opinion, not worth it.
Similarly, with a train ride you want to make sure you aren’t taking multiple trains and/or buses just to get to your coworking space.
Community
Even if you’re an introvert, or just don’t like socializing in this type of environment, you’ll want a coworking space with a community. I can’t count how many times I’ve needed help with a specific scenario or question (especially as it relates to coding and development!) that stumped me, but was able to walk across the coworking space and get some help. Coworking members are usually very helpful and selfless when it comes to helping others in the space. The more community that exists in a particular coworking space, the more this is true.
The community category is especially important if you are considering signing up for a coworking space that caters to a specific industry. Examples include FORA, a sustainability coworking space that has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, or Pillar Cowork, a coworking space that helps parents remain productive by incorporating childcare into their memberships.
The worst workspaces are those that are boring, flat, and unactivated. If it’s deathly quiet in a space, or if no one is interacting, or if you find yourself talking in hushed tones, it’s not going to be a great space. It’s going to be more desk rental than coworking. Look for the spaces that have nice vision, values and vibe. Those are the best coworking spaces.
Founder of The lab and Coworking Convos Host
Flexibility and Value
Obviously, price is important. You don’t want to sign up for a membership that turns out to be more than you can afford. But there’s more to this. For example, what about the terms of the contract? Is it month-to-month, or do they want to lock you into a 12 month lease? You want to make sure that the coworking space has enough flexibility to be able to expand and contract in relation to your business. If business slows down, will your coworking space let you downgrade your membership? Alternatively, if business gets popular, will they let you continue your hot desk membership into an office, for example?
Final Verdict
Obviously, there’s quite a bit that goes into making a membership decision that you can feel good about. As the coworking industry continues to evolve, you’ll see more and more offerings and competitive membership pricing. In the meantime, use this data to help you make that decision an informed one.
Jared has worked remotely for 15 years in various marketing capacities, and has managed hundreds of marketing campaigns along the way. He has held freelance, agency, and in-house positions for companies large and small.