Top 10 Metros for Coworking Space

The wide adoption of hybrid work models, along with the need for more flexibility in terms of workspaces and lease terms are leading the coworking sector’s growth across the country. Although several factors led to more companies using coworking as an alternative to traditional office, amenities and convenience play a huge role in why these spaces are growing in several markets at higher rates compared to others.

However, the general sentiment remains the same: approaching workspaces with a hospitality-centered approach by supporting a better life balance. “Our latest findings reveal that nine out of 10 CEOs agree that hybrid work represents the future of employment, as it gives employees the work-life balance they are looking for while increasing profitability for employers through lower real estate costs,” said Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of International Workplace Group. He also added that professionals have a desire to work within their local communities, close to where they live, making convenience one of the most important factors when it comes to coworking locations.

As of November, there were 7,628 locations across the US, totaling 136.3 million square feet, CommercialEdge data shows. Manhattan, Chicago and Washington D.C. have emerged as the top three markets in terms of space, whereas Los Angeles remained the market with the largest number of locations in the country with 293 spaces. Atlanta and Denver, which are some of the most affordable cities for remote workers according to CoworkingCafe research have also made it to the top 10.

By leveraging CommercialEdge data and insights from some industry experts in the field, we’ve analyzed some specifics for each market and the factors that have contributed to these markets’ growth when it comes to coworking. Here are the top 10 markets for coworking space by total square footage in the U.S.:

1. Manhattan

Manhattan gained the top spot for coworking spaces with 273 locations totaling 11.3 million square feet in the market. WeWork’s Vice President & Head of USC Sales Luke Robinson believes that the sector’s growth in New York and Manhattan, implicitly, reflects the trend of finance and technology companies opting for return-to-office strategies and bringing workers back into high-quality spaces with top-tier amenities to encourage attendance.

WeWork was the top coworking operator in the market, with 31 locations adding up to 2.4 million square feet. In 2024, the company expanded its location at 575 Lexington Ave. with 15,000 square feet of additional space and converted the 14th floor into a flexible work lounge. More recently, WeWork also partnered with Amazon, which will occupy 304,000 square feet at 330 W. 34th St., which marks one of the largest deals in Manhattan last year.

Industrious took the second spot with a 1.3 million square feet footprint and kept expanding its market presence. The company’s Regional Director Keving Jung views NYC as a significant market due to high membership growth and revealed that it plans to expand its locations, especially in higher-demand areas such as Midtown and Union Square. Industrious recently opened City Hall, a new location in the Financial District and plans to open NoMad, another space at 776 6th Ave. this February, mirroring the “commitment to serving the city's growing flexible workspace need,” as Jung mentioned.

Regus follows in with a 727,600-square-foot portfolio. In October, the firm signed a lease renewal for a 37,031-square-foot space in the Financial District. Boutique and design-centric coworking spaces are also on the rise in the city. Convene continued to expand their presence by adding 22.519 square feet to its 360 Madison Ave. location and opening a 30,000-square-foot meeting and event space in Midtown Manhattan, whereas The Malin recently announced another 32,700-square-foot space in the Flatiron District.

2. Chicago

Chicago is second for coworking space with 6.8 million square feet spanning 261 locations, CommercialEdge data shows. Shifting workplace dynamics, enterprise growth and strong neighborhood demand have been the main factors influencing the sector’s growth in the metro. Robinson attributed WeWork’s 10 percent increase in footfall to companies that focus on in-person collaboration and hospitality-focused amenities.

Industrious has seen a surge in interest, with neighborhood locations like Wicker Park and Fulton Market attracting small businesses, while the Loop caters to a growing enterprise clientele. According to Kelsey Emery, the company's regional director, most large-format suites in Chicago are sold out, prompting plans to expand offerings in the Loop and introduce new units for small businesses in areas like Lincoln Park.

The hybrid work model further accelerates demand for coworking, as employees seek flexibility to work closer to home. Dixon notes that suburban growth remains strong, with areas like Naperville experiencing "explosive growth" as part of this trend, further underlining Chicago’s dynamic coworking landscape. Thus, the company focuses on smaller towns and suburbs for 80 percent of the new center signings. Regus, part of International Workplace Group, remained the top coworking operator in the market and the network recently announced that it will add nine new locations in Illinois, primarily in the Libertyville, Naperville and Orland Park suburbs. In September, the firm vacated the 35th floor at 180 N. Stetson Ave., which Expansive now occupies.

3. Washington D.C.

The nation’s capital has made the top three in terms of coworking space, with 275 locations covering 6.7 million square feet, mainly due to the city’s professional density and a high demand for flexibility. Proximity to government agencies paired with hybrid work models and the capital’s entrepreneurial ecosystem further contribute to the sector’s growth.

Washington D.C. remains the most affordable metro for virtual office memberships with rates as low as $80, compared to Chicago and New Jersey with $210 and $205 membership prices, respectively. However, the metro has some of the highest rates for open workspaces, $99 higher than the $150 national median.

Regus remains among the top operators in the market with a footprint of 45 locations. Industrious currently operates 14 locations in the city and its surrounding area, doubling its space since February 2023, whereas WeWork manages nine locations in the metro. More recently, Carr Workspaces opened a new 26,331-square-foot space in Arlington, Va., while Workbox entered the market with a 29,000-square-foot location within a mile of the White House, scheduled to open soon.

4. Los Angeles

Although Los Angeles is not the national leader in terms of coworking inventory, the metro leads the nation for sheer number of coworking locations, with a footprint of 293 spaces, totaling 6.6 million square feet. Its diverse creative industries, including entertainment and media, as well as freelance opportunities call for flexibility. Another rising trend in the market is the growth of spaces that cater to creative industries, offering niche amenities, such as podcasts, media and design studios.

Convenience has also emerged as a determining factor in the market’s coworking scene, Robinson pointed out. “In Los Angeles, more than anywhere else, the office has to be worth the commute, which has solidified a preference for coworking locations close to workers' homes”, he added. The company has a portfolio of 10 locations, including surrounding areas such as Glendale and Pasadena.

International Workplace Group currently operates 48 spaces and is actively expanding its portfolio, planning to add 25 more locations shortly, Dixon confirmed. Other operators, such as Industrious, are actively increasing their footprint. Last year, the company opened a new 20,752-square-foot location in Westwood, Calif., and signed a 19,000-square-foot lease at the North Tower of Watt Plaza. The company has also unveiled plans for two new locations in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, set to open next month and in the fall, respectively.

5. Dallas – Fort Worth

The Dallas–Fort Worth area has emerged as a major player in the coworking sector and is the runner-up in terms of spaces with 284 locations spanning 5.2 million square feet. Proximity to key business districts such as Dallas Downtown Historic District and Uptown Dallas and Fort Worth’s Sundance Square is a key factor when it comes to coworking. In terms of affordability, open workspace prices in the metro saw a $48 reduction from $198 in the second quarter of last year, bringing the membership cost in the area in line with the national median.

In Dallas, Regus was the largest operator and plans to expand its portfolio in the metroplex by 20 to 30 percent next year, Dixon said. Lucid Workspaces and Cado are also among the top operators. The first operates seven locations in Dallas and two in Fort Worth and recently expanded its portfolio with a 35,234-square-foot coworking space. New entrants such as Workbox are also capitalizing on the market’s potential. In June last year, the company opened a 50,000-square-foot space at Victory Park, a $3 billion master-planned development in Dallas.

6. Boston

Boston’s 204 coworking spaces, totaling 4.6 million square feet are concentrated in popular neighborhoods among young professionals and enterprises. Accessibility and high-end amenities are among the factors contributing to the sector’s growth in the metro. “Boston companies are focused on ease of transportation and nearby access to excellent amenities—resulting in strong demand for Back Bay and Seaport, both desirable areas for the key 24 to 40-year-old professional demographic,” pointed out Robinson.

As of October, Regus had the largest footprint, with 32 locations spanning 588,565 square feet, followed by WeWork, which currently operates seven locations in the city. Recently, the company extended its stay at State Street Financial Center, by entering a revenue-sharing agreement for a three-floor coworking space comprising 64,323 square feet.

Industrious is also expanding its portfolio in Boston and reached a 90 percent occupancy rate at Back Bay/Copley Square and Dedham locations. In October, the company opened a  31,500-square-foot location across from South Station, formerly occupied by WeWork and plans to add three new spaces next year, Jung confirmed. “In particular, we anticipate increased interest from larger enterprise clients that are balancing calls to return workers to the office with flexible solutions that best meet their employees' needs,” he added.

7. Atlanta

Atlanta’s coworking landscape consists of 238 locations covering 4.4 million square feet, thriving in areas with walkable amenities and mixed-use developments. “Live, work, play areas are outperforming other business areas. Walkable amenities and centrally located properties are key. Larger corporate occupiers have continued to move away from fixed to flex and hybrid models to encourage more collaboration with their teams,” said Rhonda Johnson, Serendipity Labs’ regional vice president for the Southeast.

She also pointed out that amenities and flexibility on terms are determining factors in the market’s coworking scene, on par with the general trend of a growing demand for more dynamic workspaces. Downtown and Midtown Atlanta, including Peachtree Center, are among the neighborhoods that have become hotspots for coworking. However, many flexible workspaces are also located in suburban areas, in submarkets such as Alpharetta and Cumberland/Galleria.

Regus is among the top operators in the market, currently operating 28 locations in the metro, followed by WeWork and Industrious. Other companies, such as Serendipity Labs, focus on suburban and secondary markets, managing four locations in the metro. New providers are also entering Atlanta’s coworking scene. In November, e|spaces signed a 32,030-square-foot lease at 1600 Parkwood Circle, offering private offices suitable for individuals and teams of up to 10 members, meeting rooms and collaborative workspaces.

8. Houston

Houston’s 229 coworking locations, comprising 4.4 million square feet of space reflect the city’s adaptability to reinventing its office landscape through cost-effective and flexible solutions. Business-centric areas such as Greater Uptown, Downtown Houston and The Heights are catering to a range of companies and professionals. The metro’s affordable rates in terms of dedicated desks which are below the $300 national average also push for the sector’s growth.

Regus is leading the metro’s coworking market with a roughly 574,106-square-foot footprint, followed by The Cannon and Workstyle Flexible Offices, with 444,341 square feet and 372,169 square feet respectively. International Workplace Group expanded its portfolio in September with a 65,000-square-foot lease in downtown Houston. In May last year, The Cannon also opened its seventh location in the city at Two Memorial Plaza, offering 38 private offices alongside seven meeting rooms and collaborative areas.

9. Denver

Although Denver registered a slight decrease in coworking footprint, the 234 locations in the market total 3.6 million square feet, mirroring the city’s return-to-office policy adoption and the need for networking. However, some of the defining criteria when it comes to coworking in the market have changed, Serendipity Labs’ Director of Sales in Denver Morgan Hafner pointed out.

“We are seeing requirements come through for large teams in smaller private offices vs large team rooms. Teams looking for opportunities to collaborate, so we’re seeing an increasing use of common areas such as coworking and have created additional networking opportunities and events to enhance this feeling of community,” she explained. Convenience has also become an important requirement for professionals, as they seek shorter distances to transportation and commute. The company currently operates a 25,181-square-foot location in the Union Station neighborhood, which accommodates those requests, Hafner added.

Regus remains the top operator in the city with 33 locations totaling more than 600,000 square feet, followed by WeWork with five locations comprising almost 277,000 square feet. Vast Coworking Group is also an active operator in the market, managing nine locations under its Venture X, Intelligent Office and Office Evolution brands, totaling roughly 116,000 square feet.

10. San Francisco

San Francisco made it to the top 10 coworking markets with a footprint of 3.7 million square feet across 130 locations, driven by a highly dynamic and innovative workforce, paired with the highest office prices in the country. In terms of affordability, open workspace memberships saw a $74 price reduction at the end of the third quarter, with dedicated desks being the total opposite and standing at $450, highly above the $300 national average.

WeWork has the largest portfolio in the city, operating seven locations spanning 736,795 square feet, followed by Gateway Labs by Lilly and Regus, with 438,339 square feet and 337,544 square feet, respectively. The latest operates 84 locations in Northern California, seven of which are in San Francisco, but is eyeing more opportunities in the region and planning to add 30 new locations through the market and the Bay Area, Dixon said.

Another active provider is Industrious, which in January last year partnered with Ingka Centres, a subsidiary of IKEA to open a distinctive coworking location based on a holistic approach. The 46,470-square-foot space acts as both a collaborative environment and an IKEA furniture showroom. The company is also planning to open The Cove, another 29,000-square-foot space next month.