Did you know some states will pay you thousands of dollars just to move there? In an era where remote work is an option and the cost of living is rising, many places are seizing the opportunity to attract new residents through innovative incentives.
From tax breaks to cash, these programs are designed to attract a diverse range of talent, boost populations, and strengthen local economies. Some of the incentives are substantial, reaching over $10,000, while others offer free recreation equipment, assistance with down payments, or mortgage subsidies. Most places are focused on bringing in remote workers, but some states offer financial incentives for individuals willing to accept local jobs.
So, whether you’re considering moving across the country for a change of scenery or looking for some extra income, there may be a few destinations on this list that catch your attention. In this Redfin article, we’ll take a closer look at eight states that pay you to move there.
States that pay you to move there in 2025
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
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If you’re a remote worker looking for a change of scenery, a vibrant food scene, and riverside parks, consider the Shoals region in Northwest Alabama. The Shoals is made up of four different cities that border the Tennessee River: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. All four are beautiful and are accepting applications for new residents interested in the Remote Shoals program. With low property taxes and below-average house prices, the cost of living in these cities is significantly lower than other similarly sized metro areas in the state.
“The Shoals region has already become the ideal home for many remote workers, offering a unique blend of space, pace, and community,” said Mackenzie Cottles from the Shoals Economic Development Authority. “You’ll find plenty of room to spread your wings, along with a relaxed pace that lets you focus on what truly matters. But what truly sets The Shoals apart is its community; time and again, newcomers say it’s the people who make this place special.”
Remote Shoals is accepting applications through March 31, 2025, so make sure to check it out to see if it’s right for you.
| Initiative | Remote Shoals |
| Benefits & Information | Up to $10,000. You’ll receive 25% of the stipend before your move, another 25% six months after you relocate, and the remaining 50% one year after your move. |
| Program Requirements | To qualify for Remote Shoals, you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit the Remote Shoals website. |
2. Alaska
If moving closer to the great outdoors sounds appealing to you, nothing beats the rugged, beautiful landscape of Alaska. But with Alaska being so far away, you may wonder: How much does Alaska pay you to live there?
Simply put, Alaska needs people. So much so that new Alaskans will receive an annual dividend simply for living there for a full calendar year and intending on becoming a resident indefinitely. To see if your forever home is in Alaska, look up homes for sale in Alaska and Alaska rentals in popular cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Alaska has one of the longest running incentive programs in the country: the Permanent Fund Dividend. Passed into law in 1976, the dividend has been a hallmark of the state for decades. It has recently faced budget shortfalls, but remains foundational to the state.
If you’re still on the fence about living in Alaska, consider this: There’s no state tax, so you won’t have to pay any income or sales tax (local sales tax may apply though). Additionally, the median home price is about $50,000 below the national median. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by stunning scenery and wildlife and have access to incredible seafood and rich Native culture.
| Initiative | Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) |
| Benefits & Information | Variable, depending on what the state government approves each year. 2024’s dividend was $1,702 per person. |
| Program Requirements | To receive the PFD, you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit the PFD website and apply online between January 1-March 31 after you’re eligible. Applications are rolling. |
3. Arkansas
Rolling rivers, massive forests, drifting plains, and decades of Civil Rights history make Arkansas a one-of-a-kind state to call home. Three cities in Arkansas want you to make the move: Texarkana, Fort Smith, and West Memphis.
Each incentive package is worth over $10,000, with at least half of that purely cash. They’ll even throw in some outdoor gear to explore the area’s vast wilderness. The cities are fairly large in their own right, too, with distinct communities and plenty of amenities. Texarkana is especially interesting, as incentives top $18,000 and allow you to choose between living in Texas and Arkansas. It’s been very popular so far.
If calling Arkansas home has a nice ring to it, check out homes for sale or apartments for rent in Arkansas to see if your next dream home is available.
| Initiatives | Various |
| Benefits & Information | Variable, but usually involves cash, meeting the mayor, college tuition discounts, extra bonuses for buying a home, and more. |
| Program Requirements | Requirements vary, but generally you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit MakeMyMove.com. |
4. Indiana
Indiana has nearly 30 incentive programs encouraging renters and homebuyers to call the Hoosier State home. And with everything from major metros to remote farmland, there’s a reason so many people already do. The Indy500, Indiana Dunes National Park, and renowned universities are some of the many highlights.
Most of the communities offering incentives are located in the prairies of Eastern Indiana and hills of Southern Indiana. But others are suburbs of major metros. Noblesville, outside of Indianapolis, and towns in Floyd County, outside Louisville, are willing to dish out amenities worth $15,000 to qualifying applicants. Most other towns offer between $5,000-$8,000.
| Initiatives | Various |
| Benefits & Information | Variable, but usually involves cash, dinner with the mayor, recreation passes, sports tickets, and more. |
| Program Requirements | Requirements vary, but generally you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit MakeMyMove.com. |
5. Iowa
Iowa, a farming mecca known for its corn and affordability, is offering incentives for remote workers to take advantage of its quaint and friendly towns. Rural cities and counties across the state, from the town of Britt to Pocahontas County, are providing free land and cash for workers who can relocate. Most participating towns are small (fewer than 10,000 people) and located in beautiful, ambling Western Iowa.
Newton, located 30 miles east of Des Moines in the midst of endless prairies, has additional benefits for homebuyers. With the Get to Know Newton program, you’ll receive a stipend amount based on the value of the home you buy. So, if you pay $240,000 or more for a home, you’ll receive a $10,000 cash incentive, as well as a unique Get to Know Newton welcome package. House prices in Iowa are extremely affordable, too, which is a boon in this unaffordable market.
| Initiatives | Various |
| Benefits & Information | Variable, but usually involves cash, free land, movie tickets, doctor’s visits, and more. |
| Program Requirements | Requirements vary, but generally you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit MakeMyMove.com. |
6. Illinois
What’s not to love about Illinois? You have soaring Chicago and its unique culture, historic Springfield and its Old State Capitol, and miles of open prairies, all ripe with opportunity. Cold and snowy winters are an added bonus for some. So, why not give it a shot if the state will pay you to move?
Rural towns in Western and Southern Illinois are providing cash and free land to attract new residents. Places like Pittsfield, Jacksonville, and Grafton are offering up to $9,300 for homeowners or renters to settle down, so long as they have a remote job.
| Initiatives | Various |
| Benefits & Information | Variable, but generally involves cash, free land, property tax rebates, memberships to exclusive recreation programs, and more |
| Program Requirements | Requirements vary, but generally you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit MakeMyMove.com. |
7. Kansas
Notoriously flat and windy, Kansas is a hidden gem in the center of the country. Farming, sports, and recreation are top ticket items among its passionate residents – and the state wants to add you to the roster.
More than 15 cities and counties across the state offer incentives ranging from cash, to student loan assistance, to acres of land. Most participating communities are located in Northwest Kansas, a rural area trying to boost its population. Oberlin, in Decatur County, offers the state’s largest incentive, worth up to $11,800 for relocating residents. Neodesha is offering the state’s newest incentive package, valued at $6,800. Lincoln is offering free land in a planned community, with lots ranging from 14,000 to 35,000 square feet.
Kansas has spent over a decade encouraging people to move to rural areas of the state, many of which have seen consistent population declines. But even large metros like Topeka are offering $10,000 for relocaters. The Choose Topeka Initiative offers cash funds and more to remote workers moving from out of state, which can be a great way to get to know the city.
No matter which place you end up choosing, take a look at homes for sale or rentals in Kansas to see what living in America’s Heartland could look like.
| Initiatives | Various |
| Benefits & Information | Variable, but generally involves cash incentives, down-payment assistance, recreation passes, student loan repayment, and more. |
| Program Requirements | Requirements vary, but generally you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit MakeMyMove.com. |
8. Kentucky
Kentucky produces corn, soybeans, and 95% of the world’s bourbon, with no sign of slowing down. However, it’s famous for much more than just agriculture; horse racing, Southern cuisine, and Bluegrass music are favorites.
Communities across Kentucky are offering incentives for residents to relocate and enjoy everything the state has to offer. Most are located in rural parts of the Commonwealth, like Eastern and Southwestern Kentucky. Mayfield, to the west, advertises the largest package, worth around $8,800, while many Appalachian towns in the east offer incentives worth $5,250. In total, there are more than ten incentives for people to choose from.
| Initiatives | Various |
| Benefits & Information | Variable, but generally involves cash, moving assistance, recreation passes, tax breaks, music lessons, lunch with the mayor, and more. |
| Program Requirements | Requirements vary, but generally you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit MakeMyMove.com. |
9. Michigan
Southwest Michigan wants you to experience its famously snowy winters, friendly people, and lakeside views. Muskegon and Jackson are offering cash, employment, and a large down payment assistance package for new residents worth $25,000. These cities are rebounding from Rust-Belt declines and boast affordable living, rejuvenated downtowns, and easy access to Detroit and Grand Rapids.
| Initiatives | Welcome Home Scholarship + 100 Homes Program |
| Benefits & Information | Muskegon is offering up to $15,000 for qualified teachers to live and teach in the city, or $7,200 for new remote workers.
Jackson offers $25,000 in down payment assistance for homebuyers looking to build a house and who qualify for the 100 Homes Program, plus other benefits. |
| Program Requirements | For the Welcome Home Scholarship:
—————————————————— For the 100 Homes Program:
|
| How to Apply | Visit MakeMyMove.com. |
10. Oklahoma
Oklahoma is paying to relocate remote workers through a program called Tulsa Remote. With a low cost of living, a thriving remote work community, and countless opportunities to explore the city, it’s no wonder Tulsa has been attracting a steady stream of new residents. In fact, Tulsa Remote alone has brought 3,500 people to the area and generated tens of millions of dollars, while saving newcomers thousands. It has been remarkably successful.
A prosperous oil town, Tulsa has a lot going for it. From Art Deco architecture in the Deco District, to a gleaming museum in an Italian villa, there’s plenty to enjoy. Plus, if you’re looking to buy a house in Tulsa, prices are about half the national average. Through Tulsa Remote, you’ll receive cash and other benefits for your Oklahoma relocation.
But if you’re not ready to make the leap to homeownership, no worries. Consider renting an apartment in Tulsa or checking out houses for rent to get a feel for what it’s like to live in Tulsa before putting down roots.
| Initiative | Tulsa Remote |
| Benefits & Information | $10,000 relocation incentive.
Renters receive $10,000 through monthly disbursements. Buyers have the option to receive a lump sum after purchasing a home. Recipients also receive a one-year membership at a city coworking site, as well as housing and community resources. |
| Program Requirements | To qualify for Tulsa Remote, you must:
|
| How to Apply | Visit Tulsa Remote’s website. |
11. West Virginia
Famous for more than just its “country roads,” West Virginia offers one of the most lucrative programs to attract new residents to the state. The moving incentive is called Ascend West Virginia, and they’re currently accepting applications from people who want to get paid to move. The program is worth $12,000 and focuses on the Greenbrier Valley, Morgantown, Elkins, Eastern Panhandle, and New River Gorge communities.
In addition to a huge chunk of change, new transplants can also receive outdoor recreational equipment along with other benefits to sweeten the pot. With a median sale price well below the national average, at $246,000, housing in West Virginia is affordable even without receiving the money to move there.
This program is quite popular, so get a head start on some house or apartment hunting by scoping out West Virginia rentals and homes for sale in West Virginia before applications fill up.
| Initiative | Ascend West Virginia |
| Benefits & Information | If you qualify for Ascend West Virginia, you can expect to receive up to $12,000 cash, plus other benefits such as free outdoor recreational equipment, professional development opportunities, and co-working space.
The total package offered by Ascend West Virginia is valued at $20,000. |
| Program Requirements | You’ll have to meet some requirements to apply for Ascend WV. You must:
|
| How to Apply | Head to the Ascend West Virginia website. |
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Get prequalifiedFinal thoughts
With remote work still an option for many, states are offering financial incentives to attract new residents. If you’re a remote worker moving out of state or looking for a fresh start and new job, these places could pay off – literally – while also offering lower living costs.
There are dozens of other offers and incentives for people willing to relocate, but most require specific education or other requirements. Visit MakeMyMove to see a full list of current programs.
Disclaimer: Program details and housing data as of March 2025. This article is for informational purposes only. Redfin does not endorse any of the programs mentioned. Redfin strongly recommends that consumers make informed decisions and independently verify that a state, city, or financial offering will meet their needs.
