Texas has been named the second-best state in the U.S. for independent workers, according to a new study.
The study was conducted by Bonus.com, and evaluated factors such as income potential, cost of living, and the availability of coworking spaces to determine the most and least hospitable states for freelancers.
Tennessee secured the top spot as the best state for freelancers in 2025, earning a score of 78.20 out of 100 in Bonus.com’s Freelancer-Friendly Index. Key factors contributing to Tennessee’s high ranking include the absence of an individual income tax, a relatively low cost of living (with an index of 88.3), and an average freelance salary of $90,063 annually.
Texas followed closely behind, with a score of 76.63 out of 100. The Lone Star State offers no income tax, an impressive average freelance income of $92,448, and 12.3 freelance job vacancies per 100,000 residents—one of the highest rates in the country. Texas also boasts fast internet speeds, averaging 425.9 Mbps.
Nevada rounded out the top three with a score of 73.74, with its no-income-tax policy and an average freelance salary of $101,047.
Source: Texas ranked second best in America for freelancers
