Are Remote Workers Helping or Hurting Arizona?

COVID changed us. There’s no getting around that simple fact. In some ways, things got better, but even improvements have downsides.

When much of the country went into lockdown back in 2020, offices closed, and remote work became a normal part of life. The new normal, as talking heads said ad nauseam.

Suddenly, you could keep your job, but live anywhere you wanted. So, even if your employer did business in Los Angeles, Seattle, or New York, workers could do their jobs from almost anywhere with a robust wi-fi connection.

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Arizona's Great Migration

That’s when workers began flocking to Arizona. With great weather, lower taxes, and a lower cost of living than some big cities, the Grand Canyon State became an attractive option.

According to U.S. Census and migration data, Arizona gained more than 81,000 net domestic migrants in 2022, putting Arizona near the top for inbound migration.

RELATED: Arizona's Housing Shortage Is Driving Up Prices

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Many of those out-of-state transplants brought higher incomes, stable jobs, and greater spending power. After selling their high-priced real estate in their home city, they used the proceeds to purchase new homes in Arizona.

In Maricopa County alone, migration added billions of dollars in adjusted gross income during the peak migration years, according to Hello Scottsdale, Arizona's Blog.

Remote Workers Bring Money, Customers, and Growth

But is it good for Arizona?

There's no question that remote workers have helped parts of Arizona's economy. New residents buy homes, eat at local restaurants, shop at local businesses, and contribute to tax revenues.

Ideally, in smaller communities, remote workers can bring fresh ideas, new businesses, and economic activity that might not otherwise exist.

READ MORE: Why Arizona's Population Growth Is Slowing Down

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Community Roots Matter, Too

But there is another side to the story.

Many longtime Arizonans argue that remote workers lack a connection to local history, traditions, or community institutions. They try to shape the landscape to match their previous city by how they vote and spend their money.

Someone whose family has lived in Cochise County for generations naturally has a different level of investment than someone who moved here last year while working for a company based in California or Washington State.

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The pace of life in Cochise County is very different from the urban landscape. Many businesses aren’t open Monday or Tuesday; we don’t have a thriving night scene, and many stores close around 8 pm. For someone from LA or New York, this can be a steep adjustment.

The Verdict: A Little Bit of Both

While remote workers living here have certainly boosted Arizona's economy and population, rapid growth can leave longtime residents feeling that the Arizona they knew is changing faster than they expected.

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So are remote workers helping or hurting Arizona? The honest answer is both. Building a true community takes more than a Wi-Fi connection. It takes time, local involvement, and putting down roots.