These 10 Cities Will Actually Pay You to Move There

If you've been dreaming of a fresh start somewhere new, a number of cities across the country will pay you to make the move. Some of these programs put thousands of dollars directly in your pocket; others offer free land, down payment assistance or a package of perks designed to help you plant roots quickly. A few places even throw in bonus benefits like free internet or access to cultural or outdoor programs. 

While some of these opportunities specifically target remote workers, others are open to anyone looking for new surroundings. Remember there’s more to moving than the incentives, so make sure you’ve got all the info you need on how to buy a house in another state before you start making your move.

Here's a look at 10 cities that will pay you to move there: 

1. Texarkana, Texas & Arkansas

Average Rent in Texarkana: $1,216 | Typical Texarkana Home Value: $202,958

Texarkana straddles the border between East Texas and South Arkansas, and sits about 35 miles north of the Louisiana state line — the city's name is actually a blend of all three states' names. Texarkana is known for its variety of cultural influences because it's in such a unique area. Plenty of that culture is on full display in the city's Arts and Historical District.

The city created its "REDI...set...move!" campaign in 2024 to attract remote workers. The total incentive package is valued at over $18,900 and includes:

• $5,000 cash relocation bonus
• 25% tuition discount and one free class at Texas A&M University-Texarkana (for you or a dependent)
• Two tickets to the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra
• Membership to the Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council
• One-year membership to The Assembly Line coworking space
• Leadership Texarkana preferred membership

To qualify, you must earn at least $60,000 annually; work remotely full-time (or be self-employed); move from outside of Arkansas or, if you live in Texas, from at least 75 miles away from the city; and move within six months of acceptance. You must relocate to Bowie County, TX or Miller County, AR.

Check out homes in Texarkana on Zillow. A tip: Since Texarkana borders two states, you can check for homes either in Texas or Arkansas, but not both at once.

2. Elwood, Nebraska

Average Rent in Elwood: N/A | Typical Elwood Home Value: $416,578

Elwood is a small village in south-central Nebraska, and it might be the most unique offer on this list, because instead of cash up front, it's offering something else: land. The village offers (nearly) free lots measuring 110 by 115 feet in the Wheatfield Addition community, close to schools, parks and the town swimming pool.

Here’s how this city’s offer works: You’ll pay a refundable $500 deposit (returned when construction is complete) and a $50 building permit fee in exchange for the lot. You’ll then have two years to complete construction of your primary residence. On top of that, the city will give you $25,000 in down payment assistance upon completion.

This one is for buyers with a pioneering spirit — those who want to own something, build something and join a tight-knit community with a 100% high school graduation rate and easy access to outdoor recreation.

To get an idea of what your new-construction home here may be worth, check out listings and rentals around Elwood, NE on Zillow.

3. Hutchinson, Kansas

Average Rent in Hutchinson: $808 | Typical Hutchinson Home Value: $151,435

Hutchinson, Kansas, also known as "Hutch," is located an hour outside Wichita, which is known for its arts scene and ties to aviation history. 

Qualified remote workers who move to Hutchinson get many perks, including:

• $5,000 cash relocation bonus
• Up to $5,000 in home-buying assistance 
• 3 months of IdeaTek Fiber High Speed internet
• “Relocation Starter Pack” with free community memberships and more
• One-year individual Hutchinson Chamber membership

To qualify, you must have an annual household income of at least $55,000, currently reside outside of Kansas and commit to living in Reno County for at least two years. Read more about the offer and find the application on MakeMyMove.

Start searching for homes or rentals in Hutchinson, KS on Zillow.

4. Paducah, Kentucky

Average Rent in Paducah: $1,255 | Typical Paducah Home Value: $190,934

Paducah is a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art tucked along the Ohio River. The city’s remote worker offer includes cash incentives as well as cultural amenities:

• $5,000 cash relocation bonus paid in two installments: $2,500 when you establish residency and $2,500 at your one-year anniversary
• A waiver of the city's 2% payroll tax for one year
• A free internet stipend (up to $70/month for 12 months)
• Free tickets and passes for cultural and educational experiences, including the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, the Paducah School of Art & Design, the River Discovery Center and more

To qualify, you must be able to establish primary residency in Paducah within three months of acceptance and commit to staying at least two years, as well as work full-time remotely and relocate from at least 100 miles away.

Start your Paducah, KY home or rental search on Zillow. 

5. Jackson, Michigan

Jackson is an outdoorsy place, focused on the beauty of its many parks, lakes and a man-made waterfall known as The Cascades. Through its 100 Homes Program, the city aims to help qualified buyers live in one of 100 homes built on currently vacant lots.

The program includes $25,000 in down payment assistance, which some buyers may be able to pair with an additional $10,000 in assistance through the state’s housing finance agency. The city also has a limited-time opportunity for another $30,000 in assistance for buyers in the Martin Luther King Jr. Corridor. Homes are capped at a qualifying purchase price, must be owner-occupied, and are available to both existing residents and newcomers.

To qualify, buyers can’t have an income of more than 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Find the full list of available lots and application details at cityofjackson.org.

Check out homes and rentals in Jackson, MI on Zillow.

6. Baltimore, Maryland

Average Rent in Baltimore: $1,786 | Typical Baltimore Home Value: $191,986

Baltimore's Live Near Your Work program partners with over 100 employers to offer down payment assistance in exchange for living within the city. The amount you receive depends on which company you work for, but incentives range from $2,000-$19,500. For this program, Baltimore City matches your employers’ contributions between $1,000 and $2,500 in the form of a grant to encourage you to make Baltimore your home.

If you work for an employer that participates, reach out to your HR department or benefits manager to start the process.

Baltimore is also one of the most affordable major metro areas on the East Coast, with a typical home value that undercuts other cities significantly. For many residents and buyers, the city's food scene, cultural institutions and waterfront neighborhoods make it a good place to live.

Browse through Baltimore’s available homes on Zillow. 

7. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Average Rent in Tulsa: $1,253 | Typical Tulsa Home Value: $221,628

Tulsa Remote is one of the most well-established and well-funded relocation programs in the country, and it keeps growing. Currently, the program offers a $10,000 grant to qualifying remote workers who make Tulsa their home. As of early 2026, more than 4,000 remote workers have relocated through the program since it launched in 2018, and the program is aiming to welcome roughly 550 more this year.

If accepted, the $10,000 is either given as a lump sum or monthly disbursements after you purchase a qualifying home. If you sign a rental lease instead, you’ll receive the $10,000 through monthly disbursements. Acceptees must also attend a Tulsa Remote orientation.

You also gain access to one of the largest communities of remote workers in the U.S., complete with a dedicated program team, monthly community events and a network of professionals who've made the same leap.

To qualify, you must:

• Work full-time remotely for an employer outside Oklahoma, or be self-employed outside Oklahoma
• Reside outside Oklahoma at the time of application
• Be able to relocate to Tulsa within 12 months of acceptance

Start searching for homes or rentals in Tulsa on Zillow.

8. Muncie, Indiana

Average Rent in Muncie: $958 | Typical Muncie Home Value: $157,401

Muncie is a mid-sized Indiana college town, home to Ball State University. The city's relocation program offers a $5,000 cash incentive plus a package of community extras to help you settle in quickly, like access to the university’s library and a six-month YMCA membership.

Muncie is an affordable, tight-knit community with a growing arts and cultural scene, and its proximity to Indianapolis (about an hour away) makes it a compelling option for those who want small-city living with access to a major metro.

To qualify, you must:

• Must be employed full-time and able to relocate while retaining your current job, or be self-employed and able to relocate while retaining your current clients.
• Earn at least $50,000 annually
• Presently live outside of Indiana
• Can relocate your primary residence to Muncie within six months

If Muncie, IN has piqued your interest, you can browse rentals and homes for sale on Zillow.

9. Ontario, Oregon

Average Rent in Ontario: N/A | Typical Ontario Home Value: $310,946

No, you won't need your passport for this move. Ontario, Oregon, sits right on the border between Oregon and Idaho, just outside Boise National Forest. Plus, it's off the Snake River, where you can tube and kayak during favorable weather. 

The city's $10,000 offer requires you to build a new-construction home over 1,600 square feet of living space in size, or 1,350 square feet if it has a two-car garage and two bathrooms. Note that while this program is also available to home building companies, individual homeowners can apply, and hire their own contractor.  

Ontario is a growing agricultural and commercial hub with access to outdoor recreation and lower housing costs relative to western Oregon.

You can find lots for sale in Ontario, OR, as well as rentals, on Zillow.

10. Columbus, Georgia

Average Rent in Columbus: $1,259 | Typical Columbus Home Value: $174,579

Columbus is Georgia’s second-largest city by population, anchored by Fort Moore and a riverfront district. The city has been running its Columbus Remote Worker Incentive Program since 2024, drawing over 7,000 applicants in its first year. 

If selected, you’ll receive an incentive package valued at over $8,700, which includes:

• $5,000 cash relocation bonus paid in two installments: $2,500 when you establish residency and $2,500 after your first year of residency
• $3,200 in community perks, including access to coworking space
• A Columbus Experience Package, including tickets to Columbus Clingstones Baseball, the Springer Opera House, RiverCenter performances and other local attractions

To qualify, you must be employed remotely full-time with an annual salary of at least $75,000, currently live at least 75 miles outside Columbus and be able to relocate to Muscogee County within six months. You must also commit to living in Columbus for a minimum of one year.

Start searching for homes or rentals in Columbus, GA on Zillow. 

Median rent and typical home values for all locations listed reflect the most current available Zillow Home Values Index (ZHVI)  data as of May 31, 2026. Program details were verified in June 2026 and are subject to change — always confirm directly with the relevant program before making a move.

FAQ: Relocating to a new city

You've found a cool city that will pay you to move there, but what does it actually look like to uproot your life, pack everything you own and land somewhere you've never called home? We've answered the questions we hear often from people considering exactly that.

How do I know if a relocation incentive is legitimate?

Every program on this list is administered by a city government, a county economic development authority or a well-established non-profit. That said, you should always verify directly with the source. Visit the official city or program website, review terms and conditions, and be wary of any third-party site asking for payment to apply.

How much money do I actually need to make a cross-country move?

The full costs vary widely depending on distance, how much you're moving, and whether you're renting or buying. According to home improvement site Thumbtack, your costs could range from about $650 to $5,500, and most people pay around $2,000.

When doing the math for yourself, factor in professional movers or a rental truck and temporary housing if needed.

Moving during off-peak seasons (late fall through early spring) and booking movers well in advance can reduce your costs. Some incentive payments from these programs — especially those paid at the time of relocation — can offset a meaningful portion of those upfront costs.

Should I visit before committing?

If you can, absolutely. A weekend trip or even a longer exploratory stay is one of the best forms of research you can do before committing to a cross-country move. Walking neighborhoods, eating at local restaurants and simply spending time in a place gives you insights that no website or search result could provide. If possible, visit during different seasons to get a realistic sense of the weather and vibes of the community.

What happens if I want to leave before the program's required stay period ends?

Most programs require participants to remain in the area for one to two years as a condition of receiving the full incentive. If you leave early, you'll typically be required to repay some or all of the funds you received. The specific repayment terms vary by program. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully before accepting any offer.

How do I handle the logistics of buying or renting from a distance?

Start by working with a local Zillow partner agent or a property management company who can tour properties on your behalf. Virtual tours have become standard practice and give you a real sense of a space before you commit.

If you're buying a home, plan to visit in person during the inspection period. If you can’t make it out, try to set up a video call at that time instead. 

If you’re renting, you could learn a lot from a virtual tour (lots of listings include this on Zillow). It might also be worth joining local Facebook groups or community forums in your target city — residents are often generous with honest recommendations.

What should I know about the cost of living in a new city?

One of the biggest surprises for people moving to larger or smaller cities is the difference in how far their money goes. The cities on this list represent some of the most affordable housing markets in the country. In Hutchinson, Kansas, for example, typical home values sit around $150,000 — a figure that buys very little, if anything, in many coastal cities. 

Keep in mind that salaries may also vary if you're seeking local employment rather than maintaining remote work. Factor in healthcare access, commute patterns and the cost of travel back to visit family.

How do I build a social life and community in a brand-new city?

This can be a tough part of any long-distance move, and it's worth planning for. Some programs are specifically designed with community-building in mind, hosting regular events and connecting new arrivals with each other and longtime residents. 

We’ve got a guide on how you can find a roommate in a new city, and lots of those tips apply to finding friends, too. For example, going to a dog park with your buddy could help both of you meet someone new.

Beyond formal programs, consider joining local recreational leagues, volunteer organizations, professional associations or clubs aligned with your interests. 

What are the biggest mistakes people make when relocating cross-country?

The most common misstep is underestimating the emotional adjustment. Even when a move is the right decision, it takes time to feel settled. Give yourself grace during the first several months. It's normal to feel disoriented, lonely or uncertain before you find your footing.

Practically speaking, another common mistake is not reading the fine print of the relocation program itself prior to applying. This could lead to missing a deadline, failing to meet a minimum income requirement, or not understanding the repayment clause. Read everything at least twice.

Which of these programs is right for me?

It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you're a remote worker who wants a built-in community and a $10,000 lump-sum incentive, Tulsa Remote could be a good option. If affordability is your top priority and you're open to small-town life, Hutchinson or Elwood offer good value. Browse each program's official website, check your eligibility and take the time to envision your daily life in each place before making your decision.