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REVEALED: The cities that will PAY you to move there READ MORE: Little-known town dubbed 'America's Amalfi Coast' stunned by wave of listings: 'This does not happen' By MARTHA WILLIAMS, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:58 EDT, 26 October 2025 | Updated: 14:58 EDT, 26 October 2025 Some US towns are so eager to grow their populations that they're paying Americans to move there. From the Great Plains to Appalachia, cities and small towns are finding creative ways to lure newcomers — offering cash, housing grants, and even perks like free coworking spaces. Scroll down for the full list — in a fantastic interactive map or a list. Some of the most tempting deals on offer are coming from states with slower population growth, or even population decline, such as West Virginia. undefinedundefined Full Screen (F) Pause (SPACE) Read More (Shift + O) ?lit$386211204$? Continue watchingafter the adVisit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE Most of the programs are in places that are not major cities, but smaller metros in more rural settings — for example Newton, Iowa, multiple counties in Kansas, and smaller communities in West Virginia. Tulsa, Oklahoma, has one of the country's best-known programs, offering up to $10,000 and a free coworking membership for remote workers willing to relocate. Launched in 2018, Tulsa Remote has drawn 1,400 new residents. 'While it began as an experiment to diversify our city's economy, the program has emerged as a major vehicle for growth and opportunity,' Justin Harlan, Tulsa Remote's managing director, told the Daily Mail. Independent research shows that for every $1 spent on the program, Tulsa Remote returns more than $4 to the local economy — with most benefits going to middle- and lower-income earners. 'Tulsans are already seeing the impact through local spending, job creation and new tax revenue,' Harlan said. Tulsa, Oklahoma (pictured) has one of the country's most well-known incentive programs, offering a $10,000 grant for remote workers relocating The program began in 2018 and has since drawn 1,400 people to Tulsa (pictured) - the second largest city in Oklahoma Justin Harlan, Tulsa Remote's managing director 'Tulsans are already seeing the benefits of this program through increased local spending, job creation, and new tax revenue,' Harlan said. The deal with the highest approximate value for re-locaters is in Belleville, Kansas — which is offering up to $35,000 in grants to attract new residents willing to build homes there. This includes a $25,000 base grant and a $10,000 bonus if your home is among the first five built under the program. With a population of under 2,000 people, the city is clearly trying to expand. Through a program called MakeMyMove, Belleville provides additional incentives for eligible remote workers beyond homebuying assistance — including up to $1,500 per year for five years to help repay student loans, and up to $3,000 for those employed by Republic County to cover moving expenses. Another Midwest area offering major perks for prospective residents is Jackson, Michigan. The city is granting up to $25,000 in down‑payment assistance for eligible buyers. Jackson is a larger city, with 30,920 residents, but is aiming to grow the population through a variety of initiatives in a direct response to decades of significant population decline. As part of its 100 Home Program, the city aims to build 100 one- and two-bedroom homes on vacant residential lots throughout Jackson, with each home priced at $175,000. Topeka, Kansas, is offering up to $15,000 for home‑buyers or up to $10,000 for renters under the 'Choose Topeka' program to encourage more people to move into the city. Independent research has found that for every $1 spent on attracting remote workers, Tulsa Remote returns more than $4 to Tulsans Jackson, Michigan (pictured) is another Midwest area offering major perks for prospective residents. Jackson is a larger city, with 30,920 residents, but is aiming to grow the population Topeka, Kansas (pictured) is offering up to $15,000 for home‑buyers or up to $10,000 for renters under the 'Choose Topeka' program to encourage more people to move into the city. The state capital has teamed up with employers to offer cash to those willing to move there and, as an added bonus, sandwich chain Jimmy John's will throw in an extra $1,000 for anyone who moves within delivery range of one of its locations. Morgantown, West Virginia, has a program offering $12,000 cash for remote workers and other perks, such as a coworking-space membership and free outdoor-gear rentals. To be eligible, potential residents must be over the age of 18 and willing to relocate to the city for two years. The vibrant college town home is home to West Virginia University and has a population of 30,000. All of these incentives have become more realistic options for Americans since working remotely became popular during and after the pandemic. FACT BOX TITLE 1. Baltimore, Maryland: $5,000 for down‑payment & closing costs via a lottery for home buyers. 2. Belleville, Kansas: Up to $35,000 in construction grants for building a home; plus student‑loan and mover incentives. 3. Bemidji, Minnesota: Free six months of internet, one‑year coworking membership, and other perks for remote workers relocating from 60+ mi away. 4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $5,000 for non‑Iowa residents who relocate, work remotely, and earn at least $55,000. 5. Columbus, Georgia: $5,000 cash plus coworking membership, hotel stay, etc., for remote workers earning $75,000+ and relocating from 75+ mi. 6. Fort Wayne, Indiana: Down‑payment help: up to 5% of home's purchase price for buyers who meet requirements. 7. Hamilton, Ohio: Up to $15,000/year toward student loans for recent graduates who move to the city. 8. Hutchinson, Kansas: Up to $2,500 matching funds for renters moving into certain neighborhoods and buying first home. 9. Jackson, Michigan: Up to $25,000 down‑payment assistance for eligible homebuyers. 10. Kentucky (34 counties): $7,500 total ($5,000 + $2,500 bonus) for remote workers and partners in education/healthcare moving to 34 rural counties. 11. Ketchikan, Alaska: Up to $2,000/year payment plus free high‑speed internet for relocating remote workers. 12. Macon‑Bibb, Georgia: $2,500 cash plus gym membership and coworking membership for out‑of‑state remote workers. 13. Maine (the entire state): Tax credit up to $2,500/year (up to $25,000 lifetime) toward student‑loan payments for eligible graduates. 14. Manilla, Iowa: Free plots of land and elimination of taxes for 5 years for people who build homes. 15. Morgantown, West Virginia: $12,000 cash + coworking membership + outdoor gear rentals for remote workers relocating for 2 years. 16. Newton, Iowa: $10,000 cash to homebuyers of homes $240,000+; tax abatement for cheaper homes. 17. Noblesville, Indiana: $5,000 relocation grant + $500 health stipend + coworking membership for new residents meeting remote‑work income threshold. 18. Quincy, Illinois: Property‑tax rebate up to $5,000 for job holders; rental rebate up to $3,500 for renters after 6 months. 19. Perry County, Indiana: $7,000 cash (split payment) + welcome basket for remote workers relocating to the rural county. 20. Switzerland County, Indiana: $5,000 for eligible out‑of‑state remote workers to relocate to the county. 21. The Shoals, Alabama: $10,000 for remote workers — $2,500 upfront, $2,500 at 6 months, $5,000 after 1 year. 22. Texarkana (TX/AR): $5,000 relocation bonus + free symphony tickets + tuition discount for new residents meeting income rules. 23. Topeka, Kansas: Up to $15,000 toward home purchase or rentals for new residents; up to $10,000/home purchase or $5,000 rent for remote workers. 24. Tucson, Arizona: Relocation perks worth ~$7,500: $1,500 toward moving, free internet for a year, coworking trial, cultural membership. 25. Tulsa, Oklahoma: $10,000 grant for remote workers relocating, plus travel reimbursement & other perks. 26. West Memphis, Arkansas: Up to $10,000 cash for homebuyers (or $5,000 for renters) plus a hotel stay and dinner with the mayor. Share or comment on this article: REVEALED: The cities that will PAY you to move there Add comment
