10 U.S. Cities That Will Actually Pay You to Move There

 

10 U.S. Cities That Will Actually Pay You to Move There

There will always be people who want to live in New York or Los Angeles or Boston or Chicago. Really any big city. But that's not everybody's dream. And with rising rental prices and the huge boom of remote work, what could be cooler than getting paid to move to a city that really wants you to live there? Several states and cities are offering incentives like tax credits, housing breaks, or cold hard cash to become a local. So pack your bags and check this list.

Topeka, Kansas

Topeka, Kansas (pop. 125.475) has potential renters and prospective homeowners covered with its generous Choose Topeka relocation incentive program, as long as your employer is willing to work with the Go Topeka employee transfer program. As the capital city of Kansas, Topeka has a lot going on. From the vintage carousel in Gage Park to art museums and an aquatic center, families in particular thrive here. Renters are eligible to receive $10,000 towards their first year in their new home (the median rent is around $995) and home buyers can get $15,000 towards their home, which could cost around $187,000.

Paduchah, Kentucky

Remote workers who move to the town of Paducah, Kentucky (pop. 26,749) are eligible for an incentive package of close to $6,500 if their annual salary is $100,000 or more. This includes $2,500 towards moving costs, $70 per month for internet for the first year, and $1,150 towards cultural and recreational activities. There’s a lot to do in Paducah as well, with a thriving art center and theater as well as cafes, antique stores, and yoga studios. Your rental dollar will go far in Paduchah as well, with a median rental cost of around $1,200.

Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas

Sitting right on the border of Texas and Arkansas, and just 35 miles from Louisiana, Texarkana (pop. 35,741) has loads to offer potential new citizens. Especially since the city created REDI… set… move!, a campaign to attract remote workers and students, in the fall of 2024. The city is offering $5,000 towards relocation fees as well as discounts on classes at the Texas A&M University-Texarkana and two tickets to the Texarkana Symphony & Orchestra. All told, applicants who are willing to move within six months would get more than $18,000 worth of incentives, which will go a long way to paying the average monthly rent of $1,250.

Jackson, Michigan

Any interest in living near beautiful waterfalls in a super outdoorsy town? Then pack your Patagonia and take up Jackson, Michigan’s (pop. 30,854) invitation to move. Not only is the city offering new citizens a full year membership to its golf course, it’s 100 Homes initiative is also offering $25,000 in down payment assistance if you buy a house at a minimum of $175,000. Don’t want to buy? The average rent is an affordable $1,100 per month.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

One of the bigger cities on the list, Tulsa, Oklahoma (pop. 411,894) has plenty to recommend it, including a zoo, botanical gardens, and a riverfront park that was named America’s best new attraction in 2019 by USA Today. There’s a thriving cultural scene in Tulsa to keep you busy when you’re not working, much like the 2,200 remote workers who have moved to the area since 2018, when the Tulsa Remote program began. The city offers a $10,000 grant for buying a house (the average cost is around $203,000) to applicants who work remotely or are self-employed outside of Oklahoma.

Newton, Iowa

Ever dream of living in a quaint small town? Check out Newton, Iowa (pop. 15,645), just 30 minutes from Des Moines and recently voted one of the most popular cities to live in the country. Newton has been going through something of a renaissance in recent years, and they need an influx of people in order to continue to grow. The town is offering $10,000 in cash plus a “Get To Know Newton” package to anyone who wants to buy or build a qualifying home.