The freelance economy is expanding in 30 cities across the United States — Freedom or stability? The current state of the "Freelance Superpower America" is being debated on social media.

"Freelance Economy" Expanding in 30 U.S. Cities

—Las Vegas and Nashville Emerge as New "Earning Cities"

In the late 2020s, with an uncertain economic outlook and simultaneous remote work and layoffs, the "freelance economy" is quietly gaining strength in urban areas across the United States.

According to the latest "Freelancer Economic Impact Report" released by Fiverr, a leading online job marketplace, the number of independent professionals has increased in all 30 major U.S. cities over the past year. Estimates suggest there are about 6.9 million "skilled freelancers" nationwide, with approximately 4 million concentrated in the top 30 cities.GlobeNewswire

Moreover, the map of "where to work" is being redrawn. While IT and creative jobs were once synonymous with San Francisco and New York, the cities currently gaining momentum are warm urban areas known as the "Sunbelt," including Las Vegas, Nashville, Miami, and Orlando.GlobeNewswire

Freelancer Population Increases in All 30 Major Cities

The report analyzes the "Nonemployer Statistics" from the U.S. Census Bureau and millions of tax return data to estimate the scale and revenue of independent professionals from 2019 to 2024.GlobeNewswire

The results reveal the fact that "there is not a single city where the numbers are declining."

During the pandemic, the number of freelancers temporarily declined in tech hubs like San Francisco and San Jose, but in the past year, all 30 cities have seen an increase again. Skilled freelancers nationwide have increased by 4.3% year-on-year. In recent years, the use of freelancers by companies has increased by 260%, indicating a rapid acceleration in securing talent on a project basis.GlobeNewswire

Cities with particularly high growth rates include Orlando and Miami (both +32%), Nashville (+24%), Las Vegas (+22%), and San Antonio and Dallas (both +20%). Places once strongly associated with tourism, entertainment, and country music are now gaining prominence as "freelance earning spots."GlobeNewswire

Which City Earns the Most?

The Turnaround of Las Vegas & Nashville

The report particularly highlights the "average income ranking."
The highest annual average income for freelancers was surprisingly in Las Vegas at $62,083 (approximately 9 million yen*), followed by Nashville at $61,569 and Los Angeles at $61,303.GlobeNewswire

On the other hand, Minneapolis ranked lowest at $38,871, with a difference of about 60%. The average for the top 30 cities is $52,002, which is more than $5,700 higher than the national average in the U.S.GlobeNewswire

Once, "dreaming in Las Vegas" meant stories of artists challenging casinos and shows. But now, those earning stable incomes there are designers, marketers, engineers, and creators with online clients. The report also features voices from freelance music producers living in Miami, who comment, "The appeal of freelancing is being able to work with clients worldwide under the sun."GlobeNewswire

*Exchange rate calculated at approximately 145 yen/dollar for convenience.

Three Urban Clusters: What is Happening Where?

Fiverr categorizes the freelance economy of 30 cities into nine categories by characteristics, with the following three clusters being particularly noteworthy.GlobeNewswire

1. Sunbelt Professional Havens

   • Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Phoenix, etc.

   • Recorded the fastest growth in both the number of independent professionals and income over the past five years

   • Warm climate, low income tax, and a balance of living costs are considered to enhance its appeal as a relocation destination.

2. Lone Star Boomtowns

   • Major cities in Texas such as Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio

   • Ranked 2nd in freelancer growth rate and 3rd in income growth

   • Characterized by a younger and more diverse population, with a higher proportion of those under 35 compared to other cities.

3. Rising Tech Hubs

   • Austin, Denver, Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, etc.

   • Ranked 3rd in freelancer growth and 2nd in income growth

   • The shift from the "Silicon Valley concentration" to "dispersion" is progressing, with relatively smaller cities becoming new hubs for tech talent.

What these cities have in common is that the structure of "people gather because there are company bases" is shifting to "jobs follow where people want to live." Through freelance platforms, clients are dispersed worldwide, and living locations are becoming increasingly flexible.

What Professions Are Becoming Freelancers?

The report broadly categorizes independent professionals into three major fields.GlobeNewswire

• Professional Services (law, accounting, marketing, bookkeeping, management consulting, business support, etc.)

  • Approximately 3.5 million, accounting for 51% of the total

  • Also accounts for 48% of total revenue, forming the "backbone" of the freelance economy.

• Technical Services (architecture, IT, design, engineering, data processing, scientific and technical services, etc.)

  • Approximately 1.8 million, 26%

  • Revenue share is high at 36%, representing a high-value-added area.

• Creative Services (artists, video and music production, writers, performers, etc.)

  • Approximately 1.5 million, 22%

  • Although the revenue share is 16%, it is a group with significant influence in terms of brand and content value creation.

These numbers reveal that the image of "freelancer = creator or influencer" is already outdated. Rather, professionals supporting the "business foundation" such as tax, accounting, marketing, and IT infrastructure are becoming the volume zone of the freelance market.

Reactions on Social Media: #Freedom or Anxiety

The content of this report has sparked various discussions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

• Positive Side: Welcoming Freedom and Options
  Voices are prominent saying, "Working without relying on another salary is becoming realistic" and "It's more reassuring to increase your own clients than to fear company layoffs."
  Especially from users living in "earning cities" like Las Vegas and Miami, experiences are shared such as "I can work globally even in rural areas" and "My income didn't drop even after moving to my favorite city." Hashtags like #FreelanceLife and #DigitalNomad are frequently seen, along with recent keywords like #SecondJob and #SideHustle.

• Negative Side: Concerns About Social Security and Stability
  On the other hand, there are persistent concerns like "Isn't it dangerous for freelancers to increase while pension, health insurance, and unemployment insurance safety nets remain weak?"
  Especially from the child-rearing generation in their 30s and 40s, practical worries are often posted, such as "Mortgage screening is strict" and "It's difficult to plan education expenses with fluctuating income." Concerns about "falling job rates" and "competition for projects" due to the rapid evolution of AI are also frequently voiced.

• Corporate and Client Perspectives
  Startup and small business owners are posting that "freelancers who can secure necessary skills for only the required period make sense in economically unstable times."
  On the other hand, they also express concerns like "It's challenging to retain talented individuals long-term as they receive offers from everywhere" and "It's difficult to cultivate team culture."

Observing discussions on social media, axes of conflict such as "freedom vs. stability" and "autonomy vs. safety net" emerge. As the freelance economy expands, finding a balance will likely become a societal challenge.

Implications for Japan: Future on the Extension of Side Job Liberalization and Regional Relocation

Although this report is based on U.S. data, it is not irrelevant to Japanese readers.

In Japan, the liberalization of side jobs in large companies is progressing, and crowdsourcing and skill-sharing services have become widely accepted. The number of people choosing a "corporate employee + freelancer" dual work style is already increasing. Considering the establishment of remote work and the regional relocation boom post-COVID-19, it wouldn't be surprising to see a structure similar to the U.S. emerge a few years later.

• The freelance population in urban areas increases,

• Several "earning regional cities" emerge,

• A society where corporate employees, freelancers, and dual-work freelancers coexist—.

Such a future is already becoming visible.

How Should Individuals Prepare?

The expansion of the freelance economy is not just about "diversifying work styles."
For companies, it involves revising human resource strategies and cost structures. For governments, it means redesigning tax systems and social security. For individuals, it requires a mindset shift of "not leaving your career entirely