Relocate For Cash
These American cities aren't just rolling out the red carpet for new residents—they're opening up their wallets and handing out thousands of dollars and various incentives to get people to make the city their new home.
What cities and how much? That's what we're about to find out...
Rochester, New York
Since launching in 2019, the program to get people to move to Rochester has received over 3,000 applications. Why so many? Well, you might consider applying as well when you find out that the program will pay you up to $15,000 to move to the fourth most populous city in New York state.
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka wants more talented professionals moving to the city and as such, has set up a pretty impressive incentive program that provides up to $10,000 for renting or $15,000 towards the purchase of a home.
Dylan Edwards Kswx29, Wikimedia Commons
Noblesville, Indiana
Noblesville offers residents the joys of small-town life with easy access to big-city fun in nearby Indianapolis. And if you are thinking of moving there, you will definitely want to look into the incentive program offering up to $15,000 in cash, free land, and tax credits to new residents.
Hamilton, Ohio
Do you have lots of student loan debts weighing you down? Well, you can lighten that load with a move to Hamilton, Ohio. Just 20 miles north of Cincinnati, Hamilton is a warm town offering new residents up to $15,000 in student loan debt reversals for graduates of the last seven years.
McKenzie & Snyder, Wikimedia Commons
Curtis, Nebraska
Small-town living doesn't get much smaller than Curtis, Nebraska, where the population sat at 806 people in the 2020 census. If you want your own piece of the small town life, Curtis is offering free plots of land on which to build your home.
Elwood, Nebraska
Looking for even smaller than Curtis? How about Elwood, Nebraska and its 600+ residents? This small town is also offering up a free plot of land to new residents willing to move there and build a home.
Baltimore, Maryland
You don't often see these kinds of incentives offered by big cities, but Baltimore wants to help you get your home there. So much so that they will give eligible applicants $5,000 for a down payment on a new house.
Cumberland, Maryland
Sticking with Maryland, the city of Cumberland is offering up a whopping $10,000 in a dollar-to-dollar match program on approved renovations to an existing home, or for a down payment on a newly constructed home (all within the city limits).
Matthew Binebrink, Wikimedia Commons
Augusta, Maine
If you live in Maine for one full year and graduated after 2008, then you could be eligible for upwards of $25,000 in tax credits.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
Alaska
Yes, we know Alaska isn't a city. But in this case, it has a state program that offers incentives unlike any other. Rather than a one-time payout, the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend Program offers residents a payout annually. The amount does vary every year, but you can choose what city you want to settle in.
Shoals, Alabama
The Shoals region of Alabama (which consists of multiple cities, including Florence and Muscle Shoals) has a new resident Remote Shoals program that provides up to $10,000 on a sliding scale depending on your salary.
Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Remote workers looking to make the move to Tulsa will want to look into the Tulsa Remote program which is offering up to $10,000 to those looking to relocate to their city.
West Virginia
Another state offering incentives is West Virginia. Pick your city (among many options) and new residents can apply to receive up to $10,000 in year one and $2,000 in year two. You also get free access to co-working spaces.
Mattoon, Illinois
Per the 2020 census, the population of Mattoon, Illinois stood at 16,870—and the city has programs in place to get that number up. As a remote worker, the program is offering up $5,000 cash as well as vouchers and memberships placing the entire package at a value over $11,000.
TheCatalyst31, Wikimedia Commons
Stillwater, Oklahoma
The home of Oklahoma State University, Stillwater is offering some nice cash incentives to folks who want to make the city their new home. There are a few eligibility requirements but assuming those are met, you could be looking at a $5,000 down payment assistance for your new home and $300 towards closing costs.
And maybe even more impressive is the $2,000 tab at Aspen Coffee.
Buffalo, New York
Come root for the Bills and set yourself up in Buffalo, New York. CNBC called it the second best city to relocate to in America—and the city is offering $5,000 to help with that relocation.
Frankfort, Kentucky
Are you self-employed or a remote worker who can move to Frankfort, Kentucky and keep your job and/or clients? Well, if so (and with a few more requirements), you are eligible for the city's new resident program—that will pay out $5,000 as well as a number of other incentives, including a gift basket, gift cards, and even a round of golf at Juniper Hill Golf Course.
Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Texarkana, Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas and the Texarkana new resident incentive program is pretty big also. The total package comes to over $18,000 and includes a $5,000 relocation bonus, three months of free classes CrossFit Texarkana, a 50% off yoga membership at Prodigy Yoga, a 25% tuition discount and your first class free at Texas A&M Texarkana...and so on.
Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons
Spencer County, Indiana
Along with a six-month Fitness Center membership for two adults and $500 off closing costs with a mortgage through Spencer County Bank—Spencer County in Indiana is offering potential new residents $5,000 cash for their relocation.
Holly Ramsey, Wikimedia Commons
Columbus, Georgia
After Atlanta Columbus is the second most populous city in the state of Georgia—and they are providing some pretty nice incentives to increase that population, including memberships to the Columbus Aquatics Center and the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. You'll also get six months of coworking space at CoWork Columbus, $5,000, and they will pay for two nights in a hotel when you visit for your house hunt.
You'll also get to have coffee with the mayor.
Southwest Michigan
Big cities and small towns, Southwest Michigan has options for anyone looking to make the move. And they have some cash for you also—up to $5,000 to help you buy your first home in the area. They've also thought about who might be coming with you and will help your partner find their next career in the region and provide one-on-one help enrolling your kids in the right school.
Aaron Volkening, Wikimedia Commons
Vermont
Move to Vermont and enjoy nature, friendly people, Ben & Jerry's and: Remote workers can get up to $5,000 per year for two years, while those that move and become a full-time employee of a Vermont business are eligible for up to $7,500.
G. Edward Johnson, Wikimedia Commons
Hutchinson, Kansas
The Hutchinson, Kansas welcome package for new arrivals can include a $5,000 Home Buyer Bonus, three months of free internet access, and one free cup of coffee each month at Metropolitan Coffee. Total value: $10,500.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
Hermitage, Pennsylvania
Located about 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Hermitage is a city of just over 16,000 (at least according to the 2020 census) and might count you in the next census if you fit the criteria and take the city up on their incentive offers.
We're talking $5,000 cash, six months of Co-Working space, free summer camp for your kids—and for all you golfers out there, free lifetime golf at Buhl Park Golf Course.
Paducah, Kentucky
Full-time remote workers are eligible for quite a nice incentive package to move to Paducah, Kentucky—including up to $2,500 for relocation expenses, up to $70 per month to cover internet fees, a 2% payroll tax waiver for 12 months, and about $1,150 in various amenities.
Indy beetle, Wikimedia Commons
Jacksonville, Illinois
If you make over $50,000, Jacksonville Illinois wants you. And they have over $9,000 in incentives to offer—including $5,000 cash for relocation.
Paul Sableman, Wikimedia Commons
Pittsfield, Illinois
Interested in Illinois but want another city option? How about Pittsfield—a city of just over 4,000 people in Pike County. The offer: $5,000 cash for relocation and coverage for several months of some household bills.
John Morton, Wikimedia Commons
Sharon, Pennsylvania
A six-month Valley YMCA membership, $5,000 cash, and 30 minutes of axe throwing are just some of the incentives being offered by Sharon, Pennsylvania.
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Not to be outdone by the other Pennsylvanian cities—Johnstown is offering eligible new residents $2,500 cash and $2,500 worth of free gifts and benefits to make the move to their lovely city.
Ron Shawley, Wikimedia Commons
Brentwood, California
Brentwood, California is known for being a rather well-to-do area, so we guess most people moving there don't really need the money. Which is maybe why the Better in Brentwood welcome package is goods, apparel, and merchandise valued at $250.
You Might Also Like:
Party Across The USA: The Best Festival In Every State
The Things People In Each State Hate The Most
The 100 Most Dangerous Cities In America—Is Yours On The List?
