13 U.S. Cities That Will Pay You to Move There

Dreaming of a fresh start? Some American cities are putting real money, free land, and perks on the table to win you over.

Some programs target remote workers, while others welcome almost anyone.

Before you pack a single box, check each program's official site, since details can change.

The Quick Rundown

• Biggest package: Charleston, West Virginia (valued at more than $20,000)
• Biggest cash grant on this list: Charleston, WV ($12,000 over two years)
• Land deal: Elwood, Nebraska
• Open to local job-takers too: Topeka, Macon, and Baltimore

1. Texarkana, Texas and Arkansas

This border city's "REDI...set...move!" campaign launched in 2024 for remote workers.

The package is valued at more than $18,900 and includes:

• $5,000 cash relocation bonus
• 25% tuition discount and one free class at Texas A&M University-Texarkana
• Two Texarkana Symphony Orchestra tickets
• Arts council, coworking, and leadership program memberships

You'll need to:

• Earn at least $60,000 a year
• Work remotely full-time or be self-employed
• Move within six months of acceptance
• Settle in Bowie County, TX or Miller County, AR

2. Elwood, Nebraska

Elwood skips the cash and offers land instead.

The village offers (nearly) free 110-by-115-foot lots in its Wheatfield Addition community.

Here's the deal:

• A refundable $500 deposit and a $50 building permit fee
• Two years to build your primary residence
• $25,000 in down payment assistance once construction is done

3. Hutchinson, Kansas

Nicknamed "Hutch," this city sits about an hour from Wichita.

Qualified remote workers receive:

• $5,000 cash relocation bonus
• Up to $5,000 in home-buying assistance
• Three months of fiber internet
• A "Relocation Starter Pack" and a one-year Chamber membership

You'll need a household income of at least $55,000, a current home outside Kansas, and a two-year commitment to Reno County.

4. Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah is a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art on the Ohio River.

Its remote worker program offers:

• $5,000 in two installments ($2,500 at move-in, $2,500 after one year)
• A one-year waiver of the city's 2% payroll tax
• An internet stipend of up to $70 a month for 12 months
• Free cultural and educational passes

You must work remotely full-time, move from at least 100 miles away, and stay two years.

5. Jackson, Michigan

Jackson's 100 Homes Program is building homes on vacant lots for qualified buyers.

Newcomers and current residents can both apply.

The help includes:

• $25,000 in down payment assistance
• Possibly $10,000 more through the state's housing finance agency
• A limited-time extra $30,000 in the Martin Luther King Jr. Corridor

Your income can't exceed 120% of the Area Median Income, and the home must be owner-occupied.

6. Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore's Live Near Your Work program teams up with more than 100 employers.

Incentives range from $2,000 to $19,500, depending on your employer.

The city matches your employer's contribution, between $1,000 and $2,500, as a grant.

If your company participates, start by asking HR or your benefits manager.

7. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa Remote is one of the best-known programs in the country.

It offers a $10,000 grant, paid as a lump sum or monthly after you buy a home, or monthly if you rent.

Zillow reports that more than 4,000 people have moved through the program since 2018.

To qualify, you must:

• Work full-time remotely for an employer outside Oklahoma, or be self-employed outside the state
• Live outside Oklahoma when you apply
• Move to Tulsa within 12 months of acceptance

8. Muncie, Indiana

Muncie is a college town (home to Ball State University) about an hour from Indianapolis.

The offer includes:

• $5,000 cash
• University library access
• A six-month YMCA membership

You'll need to earn at least $50,000 a year, live outside Indiana, and move within six months.

9. Ontario, Oregon

This Oregon-Idaho border town offers $10,000 for building a new home.

The home must exceed 1,600 square feet, or 1,350 if it includes a two-car garage and two bathrooms.

Individual homeowners can apply and hire their own contractor.

10. Columbus, Georgia

Columbus launched its remote worker program in 2024 and drew more than 7,000 applicants in year one.

The package is valued at more than $8,700 and includes:

• $5,000 cash ($2,500 at move-in, $2,500 after a year)
• $3,200 in community perks, including coworking access
• Tickets to local baseball, opera, and performances

You'll need a remote salary of at least $75,000, a move from 75+ miles away, and a minimum one-year stay.

11. Topeka, Kansas

Choose Topeka, launched in 2019, accepts both remote and on-site workers.

It's funded by economic development dollars and about 60 Shawnee County employers.

Here's what you can get:

• On-site workers: up to $10,000 (renting) or $15,000 (buying)
• Remote workers: up to $5,000 (renting) or $10,000 (buying), tiered by salary

The grant doesn't need repayment as long as you meet the requirements.

12. Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston joined the statewide Ascend WV program in 2026.

The program is backed by a $25 million gift to West Virginia University's Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative.

The package is valued at more than $20,000 and includes:

• $12,000 cash ($10,000 in year one, $2,000 in year two)
• More than $1,200 in outdoor gear rentals
• Business-launch support from WVU
• A free coworking membership

Zillow reports nearly 1,000 new residents and a 96% retention rate.

13. Macon, Georgia

Macon's program launched in 2025 through the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.

It's open to remote, hybrid, and in-person workers.

The package is valued at around $7,000 and includes:

• $2,500 cash stipend
• Concierge relocation support
• Networking events and local perks

You'll need a household income of at least $65,000, and spots are limited.

Before You Say Yes

• Verify the source. Zillow notes that legitimate programs run through city governments, county authorities, or established nonprofits.
• Never pay to apply. Be wary of third-party sites that charge a fee.
• Budget for the move. Thumbtack estimates long-distance moves cost roughly $650 to $5,500, with about $2,000 typical.
• Read the fine print. Many programs require a one- to two-year stay, and leaving early may mean repaying funds.
• Visit first. A trip, ideally in more than one season, tells you things a website can't.

References

1. Ortega, M. "These 13 Cities Will Actually Pay You to Move There." Zillow Learning Center. Published October 8, 2026 (updated October 12, 2026).

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