By Maria Zidaru
Coworking subscription costs can differ wildly depending on location, perks and membership type. With that in mind, the latest CoworkingCafe report dives into this pricing landscape by highlighting the highest and lowest costs for the most popular coworking options. From virtual offices and open desks to dedicated desks and meeting rooms, the study ranks U.S. metros by their median starting prices for each membership type.
By analyzing these price shifts, the study uncovers broader coworking trends and how the market has evolved throughout the last year, highlighting how coworking has remained affordable despite changes in the market.
National Overview: Rising Prices Balanced by New Affordable Options
Between Q4 2023 and Q4 2024, the coworking market remained stable with only slight price fluctuations. Specifically, the national median for open workspace rates saw a minor decrease from $150 to $149, while virtual offices and dedicated desks held steady at $120 and $300 per month, respectively. However, despite this overall stability, pricing shifts at the local level brought the dynamic nature of coworking demand to light, with some markets increasing rates while others introduced more affordable options.
Regional Variations in Open Workspace Prices
Open workspaces are shared environments where professionals can work alongside others to enjoy flexibility, networking opportunities and a collaborative atmosphere without the cost of a private office. Coworking Cafe’s analysis also highlights the most and least expensive metros for this type of coworking subscription in 2025.
For example, the median starting price for open workspaces in Santa Maria, California, jumped $50 since last year to reach $300 per month – more than double the national median of $149. This makes Santa Maria the most expensive metro for open workspaces, tied with Bremerton, Washington, and Poughkeepsie, New York.
At the other end of the spectrum, Wichita, Kansas, boasts the most affordable median price at just $99 per month, sharing the title with Greensboro, North Carolina. Close behind, Deltona, Florida, follows at $107 per month. These metros continue to offer budget-friendly options, helping stabilize the national median starting price despite rising costs in other locations.
Dedicated Desk Pricing Across U.S.
For those seeking a personal workspace within a shared environment, dedicated desks provide a reserved spot with added stability.
Similar to the open desk category, the Santa Maria, California, metro tops the list as the most expensive for dedicated desk subscriptions with a median price of $550 per month – $55 higher than last year. Close behind are Urban Honolulu, Hawaii, at $500 and San Diego, California, at $425 per month.
On the flip side, Grand Rapids, Michigan, stands out as the only metro with a median starting price below $200, coming in at just $189 per month. Not far behind, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Ogden, Utah, offer budget-friendly alternatives at $219 per month. These affordable options can be a game-changer for startups and freelancers looking to maximize their workspace budget.
Virtual Offices as a Cost-effective Alternative
Virtual offices give businesses a professional address, mail handling, and access to phone or secretarial support without the need for a physical workspace. Plus, some even include monthly meeting room hours for client meetings.
Leading the list of the most expensive metros, Naples, Florida, claims the top spot with a median starting price of $240 per month – twice the national median. Following closely, Trenton, New Jersey, the 2024 leader, maintains its $215 median rate, while Reno, Nevada, isn’t far behind at $209 per month.
Otherwise, for those seeking budget-friendly alternatives, Rochester, New York, and College Station, Texas, stand out with some of the lowest median prices at just $50 per month. Palm Bay, Florida, follows closely at $65 per month. These affordable options provide an excellent solution for businesses looking to establish a professional presence without the high overhead costs.
Meeting Room Rentals at Hourly Rates
For professionals who need occasional meeting spaces, hourly rentals offer flexibility at a range of price points throughout the country.
For instance, in major business hubs like Pittsburgh, strong demand and premium real estate prices drive meeting room rates to $75 per hour – nearly four times higher than the most budget-friendly options. Meanwhile, Greensboro, North Carolina, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, offer a middle ground with a median starting rate of $60 per hour.
On the more affordable side, Dayton, Ohio; Deltona, Florida; and Rochester, New York, provide some of the lowest rates, averaging just $20 per hour. These cost-effective options make it easy to host client meetings or team collaborations without the burden of long-term commitments.
Trends Influencing Coworking Prices
Several factors can contribute to the regional disparities in coworking costs:
Economic Growth: When economies thrive, so does the demand for coworking spaces – often leading to rising prices. Take Fort Worth, Texas, for example. It holds the second spot among top cities for economic growth. The city is also part of the metro area with a median starting price for open workspaces of $197 per month – $47 higher than last year and above the national average.
Savings Opportunities: Coworking spaces aren’t just about flexibility. They can also deliver significant cost savings. In fact, even with annual inflation, coworking prices have remained stable with dedicated desk pricing decreasing by just $1 in the last year in the New York metro, keeping the median starting price at $424 per month. Fun fact: A team of 10 in New York City could save up to up to $62,900 annually by switching from a traditional office lease to a dedicated-desk setup – a game-changing reduction in overhead costs.
Work/Life Balance: As mental well-being becomes a top priority for employees, cities that foster this focus are becoming increasingly appealing. Minneapolis – which is recognized as a leader in work/life balance – reflects this trend in its coworking market with meeting room rates starting at $50 (higher than the national median).
While these trends may be just one part of the price landscape, they play an essential role in understanding the local variation in coworking costs throughout the last year. Ultimately, this highlights that choosing a workspace goes beyond just staying within budget. Rather, it’s about selecting an environment that supports personal well-being, fosters collaboration and promotes professional growth.
