17 Places In The U.S. That Will Pay You As Much As $12,000 To Move There (And That's Not All)

Forbes

6 days ago

Texarkana—one of dozens of towns across the U.S. that will pay you to move—is proud of its roots. The downtown mural by artist Darlene Taylor is a local favorite and a symbol of the community spirit that's attracting new residents. Nichole Holze
Thinking of making a move? What if you could get paid to move somewhere new—someplace with a lower cost of living, a better quality of life and a community that actually wants you there?
That's the idea behind MakeMyMove, an online marketplace that connects remote workers and other professionals with towns and cities across the U.S. offering financial incentives to relocate.
If it sounds familiar, you're not wrong—I've written about similar programs created by a village in Italy, the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma and the state of Vermont,
What started as one-off headlines has become a full-blown trend. And it's a concept that's catching on fast.
'We launched at the end of 2020 during the pandemic, when we realized that newly remote workers were free agents—suddenly able to live and work wherever they wanted,' Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove, told me in an interview. 'We started with about 20 programs. Now there are more than 170 on the site, covering hundreds of towns across the country.'
Hock calls it 'relocation economics'—a new kind of economic development model that flips the old playbook. Instead of trying to attract big corporations with tax breaks, towns are investing in people. And the return on investment is real.
A view of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is paying people to move there. getty
'We've worked with economists to measure the impact,' says Hock. 'For every $100,000 of income we help a town attract, it generates $83,000 of incremental economic activity each year. The lifetime value of a household is close to half a million dollars.'
Texarkana, Texas is a prime example. The town launched its 'Redi-Set-Move' program in 2024 and has already attracted dozens of high-income remote workers. In return, newcomers get a $5,000 relocation bonus, tuition discounts, memberships to arts and business organizations, and even a welcome lunch with the mayor.
'We're open for business—and for living,' Rob Sitterley, president and CEO of AR-TX REDI, told me in an interview. 'This program helps us attract talent, grow our tax base, support local universities, and boost entrepreneurship. We've seen over 8,000 applications already.'
The incentive package also includes a yearlong membership to a local creator space, tickets to the symphony, and opportunities for newcomers to connect with community leaders and young professionals. 'It's about more than the money—it's about building connections and encouraging people to put down roots,' says Sitterley.
Melanie Daniel, who relocated from Memphis to Texarkana through the MakeMyMove program. Melanie Daniel
Melanie Daniel was one of those applicants. A remote worker in the e-learning space, she moved from Memphis to Texarkana after selling her house—and dealing with one too many home repairs. 'I searched for places that would pay me to move and came across MakeMyMove. Texarkana responded within days,' she says. 'Now I live in a luxury apartment, I've made new friends, and I'm getting involved in the community. I've recommended it to so many people.'
Other places are just getting started. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is just launching a program offering $5,000 in relocation cash plus local perks. 'We've seen huge investment in infrastructure and business,' says Jodi Schafer, the city's talent attraction director. 'Now it's time to invest in people.'
According to Schafer, community immersion is a key part of the strategy. 'These incentives help newcomers experience the region and build relationships—two things that are critical to long-term retention,' she says.
Here is a sampling of some of the best places in the U.S. that are paying people to move in 2025—and what they offer.
Kress Gap in Texarkana. Nichole Holze
Places In The U.S. That Will Pay You To Move There
Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas
This community that blends small town charm and big opportunities is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, 25% tuition discount to Texas A&M Texarkana; one year membership to The Assembly Line, Texarkana's brand-new creator space, preferred membership to Leadership Texarkana, breakfast with Texarkana leaders and VIP access to Texarkana's Business Scene.
New Albany, Indiana
This up-and-coming town in Southern Indiana, across the river from the bourbon capital of the U.S. is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, five year Dual Co-Working Space Memberships to The Root and Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus and a $5,000 business start-up grant.
Switzerland County, Indiana
This rural destination offers a $5,000 cash incentive and access to a scenic lifestyle with proximity to Cincinnati, Louisville and Indianapolis.
Crawfordsville, Indiana
This town offers a $5,000 relocation package, plus a one-year YMCA family membership and $100 in Chamber Bucks.
Morgantown, West Virginia
One of the fastest growing towns in the state with beautiful natural amenities is offering a $12,000 relocation cash incentive; free co-working space and social programming, along with professional development and entrepreneurial assistance.
Jacksonville, Illinois
This community with small-town charm and lots of career growth is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive; $300 in Chamber Bucks, three months of fiber broadband service and a 'Build Your Career in Jacksonville' package including a variety of incentives.
Mayfield, Kentucky
The beautiful town known for its community engagement and opportunities to grow professionally is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, lunch with the Mayor and other local leadership and membership to the Mayfield Graves County Young Professionals Group and Rotary Club.
Columbus, Georgia
This town with an affordable cost of living and lots of recreational activities is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, six months of co-working space at CoWork Columbus, community connection outings, monthly mover meet ups, coffee with the mayor and a one-year membership to the Young Professionals Program and Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
Macon-Bibb, Georgia
This community welcomes newcomers with a $2,500 cash stipend, a three-month co-working space membership, moving service discounts and housing incentives.
Hermitage, Pennsylvania
Set in the heart of Western Pennsylvania, this community offers a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, six months of coworking space and monthly coffee networking events.
Benton Harbor, Michigan
This town offers $5,000 in down payment assistance and the appeal of lakeside living in a community where the cost of living is 15% below the national average.
Southwest Michigan
This region invites new residents with $5,000 in down payment assistance, support for partners' career placement, school enrollment help for kids and free tuition at Lake Michigan College.
Belleville, Kansas
This town is incentivizing homebuilders with up to $35,000 for new construction or $25,000 for the first five homes built within city limits.
Hutchinson, Kansas
This community adds $7,500 toward your home purchase in a town known for affordability and small-town charm.
Neodesha, Kansas
This town is going all in with a mix of cash and benefits: up to $15,000 in student loan repayment, free college tuition for local graduates, daycare support and property tax rebates.
Montpelier, Vermont
This state capital offers $5,000 in cash, free fiber internet for a year, $500 in co-working credit and a community welcome event.
Greater Rochester, New York
This region welcomes newcomers with a $10,000 cash incentive and additional perks like free co-working space and access to startup resources.
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