If you're looking for America's hottest spot for freelancing, you're in the right place.

That's right, Los Angeles is the freelancers' capital of America, at least according to the folks at health insurance shopping site NerdWallet.

We're not sure this is such a great thing, since freelancing can be such a hand-to-mouth endeavor:
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And despite New York's claim to being the media and literary epicenter of the United States, we outdid the Big Apple – by far.

L.A. topped the site's list of 10 “Best Cities for Freelance Workers.” NerdWallet says it rated the cities based on three elements:

-There are a lot of freelancers in town. 
-The city is affordable (L.A. affordable?!).
-Health insurance is cheap and easy (it is now, with Obamacare).

NerdWallet notes that nearly one in five of us (17.9 percent) are independent contractors in L.A. It says:

From independent filmmakers, screenwriters, production assistants and actors, freelancing is a major part of Los Angeles culture. Because so many people do freelance work, there are a lot of outlets for freelancers to connect, including meet-up groups and dozens of co-working spaces. Plus, quality of life here is high with plenty of sunny days and quick escapes to the beaches in Santa Monica.

We beat Portland, Miami, and more. New York is nowhere to be found. Here's the list:

1. Los Angeles
2. Portland
3. Miami
4. Austin
5. Nashville
6. Minneapolis
7. Lexington
8. Oklahoma City
9. Seattle
10. Lincoln, Nebraska

NerdWallet says L.A.'s average monthly health insurance cost is $187.73, with rents averaging $1,052, which seems like a low number to us.

See also: L.A.-Area Rents Skyrocketed 10 Percent This Year, Study Finds

The site says the benefits of freelancing are many, including “a flexible schedule, more control over which projects you work on and spending time with family instead of spending time commuting.”

It doesn't mention the benefits of sometimes not being able to afford food, however: It's great for your diet.

Send feedback and tips to the author. Follow Dennis Romero on Twitter at @dennisjromero. Follow LA Weekly News on Twitter at @laweeklynews.

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