Key findings for US life-work balance
Maine has risen eight places since the 2022 index after we added our safety metric. At the other end of the table, America’s least safe state sits at the bottom — Louisiana scoring just 31.64 out of 100 in that category, according to World Population Review’s safest-states ranking.
The South contains many of the lowest‑scoring states for life‑work balance, with nine of the ten bottom ranks located there, including Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
By contrast, the west dominates the top of our index, with eight of the top 20 places taken by western states.
Illinois, Maine, and Nevada provide the most generous statutory annual leave allowances in our study — five days apiece — which has significantly boosted their overall rankings.
Washington tops the list for minimum wage, with workers earning $16.28p/h, and it also offers the highest maternity pay rate — up to 90% of a worker’s wage (capped at $1,000 per week).
The happiest state in the US? Hawaii. It is perhaps unsurprising — the Aloha State is well known for its welcoming atmosphere, scenic landscapes and enviable climate.
Prefer more free time? Alaska records the shortest average working week in the US, with residents working on average just over 27 hours per week.
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine lead the way for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, scoring highly for legal rights and public attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people.
The safest state to live and work in is Vermont.
Workers in New Mexico are least likely to lose pay when ill, as the state provides eight paid sick days — the highest figure in our study.
What is life-work balance and how does it manifest in the United States?
At Remote, we choose not to use the term work‑life balance; instead we invert the phrase to stress that personal life — family commitments, hobbies and downtime — should take priority over a career.
This distinction matters because, in the United States, the balance between paid work and personal time has long been a point of dissatisfaction. Even now, while concepts such as flexi‑time and a four‑day week enter mainstream discussion, long hours, limited holiday entitlement and state rules on matters like maternity pay and sick leave continue to spark debate.
Work need not be diminished in importance — many find meaning in their careers — but it is vital to balance hours spent working with life outside the office. One of the clearest lessons from the pandemic was how much happier people can be when afforded more time for life beyond work. Both physical and mental health rely on that balance.
We support this shift through our full range of global HR solutions — including our employer of record services — which make hiring and working more flexible than ever. If you are inspired to relocate, we also offer relocation assistance and a dedicated talent hub for finding remote‑friendly vacancies. So whether you are an employer building a global team or a candidate seeking new opportunities (in a US state or elsewhere), we can assist.
How is life-work balance changing globally?
Life‑work balance is not confined to the United States; it is a matter of international significance.
Our independent research finds that countries such as Ireland, Iceland and Denmark consistently perform well in this area, topping the charts in our European study. Meanwhile, our global life-work index identified New Zealand as the world leader, largely due to its generous annual leave and strong safety record as a place to live and work.
There is room for improvement worldwide, but at Remote we remain optimistic about developments. We are committed to supporting changing attitudes toward life‑work balance and look forward to next year’s findings.
