11 US Cities That Will Pay You To Live There

At a time when the country's housing market is going through an affordability crunch and the general cost of living is still rising, Americans may be happy to hear that there are cities that would pay them to move there.

Whether they're trying to attract remote workers or professionals seeking new opportunities, these cities—most of which are in the Midwest and the South—offer a range of incentives for those willing to make them their new homes.

Why It Matters

A decline in birth rate and the anticipated shrinking of the U.S. population are expected to bring substantial risks of economic and social instability in the coming decades. According to a 2024 study published on Nature, close to half the nearly 30,000 cities in the U.S. will see some sort of population decline by 2100, representing 12 to 23 percent of the population of these places and 27 to 44 percent of the populated area of the country.

While this phenomenon is still far from having such a dramatic impact on the country, small American towns are already experiencing some degree of depopulation and are combating it however they can—including by offering cash incentives to those willing to move there.

11 Cities That Will Pay You To Live There

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa's local government is currently offering up $10,000 to remote workers moving to the area under its "Tulsa Remote" program. The city said it has already added 3,500 remote workers to its community through the program.

These are the requirements to be eligible for the program:

• Being at least 18
• Being authorized to work in the U.S.
• Having full-time, remote employment outside of Oklahoma
• Having lived outside of Oklahoma for one full year before applying

Those approved have then 12 months to move to Tulsa; officials will then verify if they have signed a qualifying lease or purchased a qualifying home, after which they'll deliver the grant money through monthly disbursement (or a lump sum if the worker has purchased a qualifying home).

Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia, Alabama

Remote workers willing to move to Northwest Alabama's Shoals can receive up to $10,000 under the state's Remote Shoals. The four main cities are Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia.

The requirements are:

• Being over 18
• Having a minimum annual income of $52,000
• Being able to move within the next six months
• Having full-time remote employment or self-employment outside Colbert and Lauderdale Counties

Successful applicants will receive 25 percent up front to cover the cost of relocating, another 25 percent after their first six months in the area and the remaining 50 percent once they've completed their first year there. According to the program, the Shoals are "the perfect place for remote workers, with affordable real estate, low property taxes, and a low cost of living overall."

Newton, Iowa

The city of Newton in Iowa's Jasper County offers new residents an incentive of up to $10,000 in cash when they buy a single-family home valued at a minimum of $240,000.

Under the city's Housing Initiative, the incentive is provided at the time and place of closing on the permanent financing of the home. The value of the improvements (exclusive of land value) must be evidenced by an appraisal or assessment and the construction of the home must be fully completed.

Rental properties are not eligible for the Home Buyer Incentive.

Topeka, Kansas

Kansas' capital city, Topeka, offers incentives of up to $15,000 for new residents getting a full-time job in Shawnee County and buying a house in the area.

These are the requirements to apply to the Choose Topeka program:

• Being a legal U.S. citizen or having a status of a legal alien
• Moving to Topeka for a full-time job with a participating employer based in Shawnee County
• Buying or renting a house for primary residence in Shawnee County within one year of being hired and moving
• Completing the Choose Topeka survey after one year
• Participating in a Choose Topeka immersion program

Those renting can get up to $10,000 in the first year, while those buying a home can get up to $15,000.

Rochester, New York

Under the Greater ROC Relocate program, which launched in 2019, remote workers willing to relocate to Rochester, New York, can receive up to $9,000 in grants for purchasing a home.

The requirements are:

• Being at least 18
• Being eligible to work in the U.S.
• Living at least 300 miles from Rochester
• Relocating within six months of acceptance into the program

According to the program, 32 remote workers have moved to the Greater Rochester area since 2019, bringing 71 total jobs to the region.

Paducah and Owensboro, Kentucky

The cities of Paducah and Owensboro in Kentucky both offer perks to remote workers, teachers and nurses moving there.

Eligibility requirements are:

• Being employed full-time and able to relocate while retaining their current position, or being self-employed and able to relocate while retaining their current clients/portfolio
• Earning at least $60,000 annually
• Being U.S. citizens
• Being 18 years or older
• Currently residing outside the state of Kentucky
• Relocating their primary residence to Owensboro within six months

Those eligible and approved will receive $5,000 to cover relocation expenses.

Remote workers moving to Paducah can receive up to $6,500 in incentives if their annual salary is $100,000 and more.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Being 21 years old or older
• Being a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or have other credentials necessary to work in the United States
• Living at least 100 miles outside the limits of the City of Paducah at the time of application for the program
• Working full-time for a company in which all offices are at least 100 miles outside the Paducah city limits
• Being able to perform a majority of their employment duties remotely from a home office or coworking space located inside the Paducah city limits
• Acquiring primary residency in the City of Paducah within three months of acceptance into the Remote Workers Incentive Program
• Not being a participant in any other publicly funded program/initiative
• Agreeing in writing to retain primary residence in the City of Paducah for at least one year beyond the initial 12-month program

Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas

The border city of Texarkana is offering $5,000 cash for those relocating there as well as a 25 percent tuition discount at Texas A&M Texarkana.

In order to be eligible for the program, those applying must:

• Be employed full-time and able to relocate while retaining their current position, or be self-employed and able to relocate while retaining their current clients/portfolio
• Earn at least $75,000 annually
• Be 18 years or older
• Currently reside outside the State of Arkansas or, if applying from within the State of Texas, currently reside at least 75 miles outside of Texarkana
• Must relocate primary residence to Texarkana within six months.