Why Gig Workers Choose to Work a Side Hustle
In 2024, the median U.S. household income sits at about $80,610 (U.S. Census Bureau). However, according to a TurboTax survey, 69% of households earn less than that, and 44% of people with a side hustle report that their household income is under $50,000. Most people take on side gigs to bring in some extra cash, but the payoff varies. About 45% earn less than $500 a month, while around 27% make at least $1,000. For many (around 79%), a side hustle is just that: extra income. The other 21% rely on it as their main source of money. Among those surveyed, the income helps with everyday bills (56%), covers extras like travel or shopping (52%), or goes toward savings and investments (40%). Beyond covering expenses, gig work appeals because it bends around people’s lives instead of forcing them to adjust to rigid schedules. Some see their side hustle as the first step toward building a full-time business of their own.Best U.S. Cities for Gig Workers in 2025
For gig workers who want to see if the grass is greener on the other side or call a new place home, knowing which can help them make an informed decision about where to invest their time and effort.Places Where Gig Work is Thriving
The demand for side hustles looks very different from city to city, influenced by local economies, lifestyles, and even culture. A TurboTax survey highlights the types of gigs most in demand across the country:
- Freelance Graphic Design – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Dog Walking – Boston, Massachusetts
- Pet Sitting – Bend, Oregon
- Online Tutoring – Huntsville, Alabama
- Rideshare & Delivery – Honolulu, Hawaii
- Virtual Assistance – Santa Barbara, California
- Handyman Services – Youngstown, Ohio
- Social Media Management – Champaign, Illinois
- Photography – Elmira, New York; Rapid City, South Dakota; Charlottesville, Virginia (tie)
- House Sitting – Madison, Wisconsin
- Child Care – Elmira, New York
- Personal Assistance – Helena, Montana
- Fitness Training – Panama City, Florida
- Lawn Care & Landscaping – St. Joseph, Missouri
- Vacation Rentals – Panama City, Florida
- House Cleaning – St. Joseph, Missouri
Where Gig Workers Can Live with Low Cost of Living
According to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 rankings, some U.S. cities stand out for having affordable housing, low rents, and everyday costs that let your dollar go further—making them good candidates for gig workers, especially those in online roles.
Here are five cities that frequently top affordability lists:
| City | Why It Stands Out | Key Data |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, Illinois | Ranked the most affordable U.S. city for 2025–2026, thanks to exceptionally low housing and living costs. | Median rent: ~$570 Median home value: ~$89,855 Population: ~66,692 Median household income: ~$49,682 |
| Enid, Oklahoma | Known for very low rent and housing costs relative to incomes. | Median rent: ~$647 Median home value: ~$143,305 Residents spend only ~12.5% of their income on rent (approximately) Population: ~50,763 Median household income: ~$62,361 |
| Weirton, West Virginia | Strong affordability: low rent and a favorable rent-to-income ratio. | Median rent: ~$528 (approximate) Residents spend ~11.1% of income on rent (surveyed figure) Median home value: ~$117,561 Median household income: ~$57,282 |
| Springfield, Illinois | Combines state capital infrastructure with affordable housing. | Median rent: ~$711 Median home value: ~$153,738 Population: ~113,645 Median household income: ~$64,709 |
| Mission, Texas | One of the lowest cost-of-living cities in the U.S. for 2025–2026. | Median rent: ~$699 Median home value: ~$165,761 Housing costs are said to be less than half the national average Population: ~100,000 Median household income: around $60,000 (estimate) |
Why These Cities Make Sense for Gig Workers
- Lower baseline expenses. Cities like Decatur and Enid keep core costs, like rent, property prices, and utilities, well under national averages.
- Less financial pressure. With living costs so reduced, gig income doesn’t have to stretch as far to cover essentials.
- Less competition locally. In smaller or less popular areas, local competition for gigs may be lower (though that depends on demand).
- Still connected enough. These cities tend to be well-connected (in terms of internet and transportation), so many online gigs still work.
U.S. Cities That Might Be Tough on Gig Workers
Some cities make it especially difficult for gig workers to hold onto their earnings. High rents, steep grocery bills, and inflated everyday costs mean less of your side hustle income stays in your pocket.
| City | Why It’s Challenging | Key Data |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan, NYC | The priciest borough in the country, with housing and living costs that dwarf national averages. | Avg. rent: $5,596/mo Cost of living: 131% above U.S. average Housing costs: ~401% above average |
| Honolulu, HI | High everyday costs and utilities offset higher household incomes. | Groceries: ~20% above U.S. average Housing & utilities also well above average |
| San Jose, CA | High-income city where steep housing prices eat into earnings. | Median home value: ~$1.5M Median household income: $141,565 |
| San Francisco, CA | Extremely high home values plus groceries and utilities far above average. | Median home value: ~$1.3M (varies by source) Groceries: 22% above U.S. avg. Utilities: 46% above U.S. avg. (source estimates differ) |
| Brooklyn, NYC | Nearly as costly as Manhattan, with rents that rival many U.S. home mortgages. | Avg. rent: ~$3,700/mo (~$44,000/yr) High population density intensifies competition |
Why These Cities Strain Gig Workers
- Sky-high housing costs. In places like Manhattan, San Jose, and San Francisco, rents and home prices eat up such a large share of income that gig earnings don’t go very far.
- Everyday essentials cost more. Groceries, utilities, and basic services often cost 20–40% more than the national average, reducing disposable income.
- Competition is fierce. Densely populated metros like New York and San Francisco attract a vast pool of workers, making it harder to stand out in the gig economy.
- Little financial breathing room. Even with higher average household incomes, the gap between what people earn and the cost of living is narrow, leaving gig workers with limited savings potential.
How to Help Boost Your Gig Work Income
From choosing the right location to strengthening your online presence and refining your services, here are proven strategies to help you earn more and stay competitive in today’s fast-moving gig economy.