Since the pandemic, remote work has reshaped how people live and choose where to settle. Without the need to be tied to an office, many can instead prioritize factors like lifestyle, outdoor access, and affordability. People have been taking advantage of this shift: In the past few years, affordable metros have consistently topped national migration charts, especially in sunnier locales.
Many places are taking notice. Cities and states across the country want a piece of the relocation pie and are offering incentives to get people to live there. Stipends, down-payment assistance, moving reimbursement, dinner with the mayor, and more are all up for grabs. A couple don’t even require you to work remotely.
So, if you’re a renter who is considering relocating, here are nine places that will pay you to move there in 2024. The list is catered to renters, but a few provide larger bonuses if you buy a home.
9 cities and states that pay you to move there – catered to renters
1. West Memphis, Arkansas
- Incentives: Up to $10,000 (up to $5,000 if renting a home)
- Requirements: Be 18+, make at least $80,000 per year, currently work full-time remote or be self-employed, currently reside outside of West Memphis, and move to West Memphis within six months of approval
- Apply: Visit MakeMyMove
Just across the Mississippi from its Tennessee sister, West Memphis has a lot going for it. While it may not be as influential or musically iconic, West Memphis provides more affordable housing and easier access to outdoor attractions, like the Big River Crossing and Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge. Life is quieter in the suburban city, but you always have the option to head into the big city to see Beale Street and Graceland.
Adding to its charm, West Memphis now has updated entertainment options, like the Southland Casino, which is turning the area into a growing hotspot for residents near and far.
If you want to get in on the city’s growth, they will provide $10,000 toward relocation if you’re buying a home or $5,000 if renting. Plus, you’ll get a meal with the mayor, and more. The typical rental cost just $745, too, meaning the incentive will likely cover about half of your housing for a year.
Fort Smith, at the opposite end of the state, has a very similar relocation package and will also pay you to move there. Both cities received additional funding for their programs in mid-2024.
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2. Pittsfield, Illinois
- Incentives: $5,000, three free months of utilities, including internet, phone, and cable, a pool pass to King Park Pool, a one-year membership to Access Illinois Outdoors, and more
- Requirements: Be 18+, make at least $50,000 per year, currently work full-time remote or be self-employed, live outside of Illinois (or at least 100 miles away if within Illinois), and move to Pittsfield within six months of approval
- Apply: Visit MakeMyMove
The small town of Pittsfield, located about two hours north of St. Louis, is offering a generous relocation package to attract remote workers. Quaint yet charming, Pittsfield has everything you need, including its beloved annual Pig Days Festival and beautifully preserved Victorian homes. Agriculture is central to the town’s culture, with many farms located just outside the city, giving it a true small-town feel with plenty of Midwestern character.
The relocation incentive comes at an interesting time for Illinois. The Land of Lincoln has been losing residents in recent years, while neighboring states like Missouri have been growing. So, many cities in Illinois are hoping relocation incentives will help boost their numbers.
If countryside living sounds good to you, moving to Pittsfield will net you $5,000 in cash to help cover moving costs, plus help with utilities, a free year of outdoor recreation, access to a coworking space, and more. The total relocation package is valued at over $6,800. Plus, rentals are amazingly affordable, with the average home costing $600 per month.
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3. Texarkana, Texas and Arkansas
- Initiative: REDI…set…move!
- Incentives: $5,000, discounts at Texas A&M Texarkana and University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, two tickets to the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, breakfast with the joint mayors and city managers, and much more
- Requirements: Be 18+, make at least $75,000 per year, currently work full-time or self-employed and be able to relocate while retaining current position, currently reside outside of Texas, or if applying from within Arkansas, live 75 outside of Texarkana (and vice versa for Arkansas/Texas), must move to Texarkana within six months of application approval
- Apply: Visit MakeMyMove
Texarkana is unique: it has a rich railroad history, is home to great outdoor attractions, and owns the rare distinction of being split by the Texas/Arkansas border. Though Texarkana, Texas and Texarkana, Arkansas are legally separate, they are culturally the same. This shared identity is highlighted by the nation’s only post office that sits in two states, along with a joint federal building.
The name “Texarkana” is a combination of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, which is just 35 miles away.
Texarkana is looking to grow its fairly small population by offering generous relocation incentives. The program has an abundance of benefits, but is primarily aimed at the college-age demographic. You can receive a 25% tuition discount at Texas A&M Texarkana or a free class, or one free class at the University of Arkansas Texarkana.
Renters are welcome to apply, and rentals are affordable; rentals in both cities average under $1,000. Plus, Texas has no state income tax. The total relocation package is valued at over $18,100, with an initial $5,000 lump sum to help cover moving expenses (like moving companies and initial rental costs).
Texarkana, TX houses for rent | Texarkana, TX apartments for rent | Texarkana, TX homes for sale
4. Topeka, Kansas
- Initiative: Choose Topeka.
- Incentives: Up to $15,000 (up to $10,000 if renting a home)
- Requirements: Be 18+, move to Topeka for a full-time position (or work remotely for an out-of-state employer), purchase or rent a home in Shawnee County within a year, complete the Choose Topeka survey after one year, and participate in the Choose Topeka Immersion program
- Apply: Visit the Choose Topeka website
Topeka, the capital of Kansas, is a relatively small city just an hour west from Kansas City. It’s known for its domed Kansas State Capitol building, the Topeka Zoo, and many beautiful parks, like Ward-Meade Park and Gage Park. The city also has a great arts scene, with museums, theaters, and popular festivals such as the Kansas Chocolate Festival and Cider Days Fall Festival. And Topeka wants you to experience everything the city has to offer.
Choose Topeka offers cash incentives to remote workers moving from out of state for a new in-person job, or to those who work remotely, as long as their employer is based outside of Shawnee County (called the Boomerang Incentive). Employers with in-person positions must participate in the relocation incentive in order for you to be eligible. New remote workers are eligible for up to $10,000, while new in-person workers are eligible for up to $15,000.
This is a great opportunity for renters to settle into a new city without worrying about housing costs. The average one-bedroom apartment in Topeka costs $790, less than half the national average. This means you’ll still have $500 of incentive money left over after a year if you qualify for the full $10,000 offer.
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5. Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Initiative: Tulsa Remote
- Incentives: $10,000, a one-year membership at a city coworking site, as well as housing and community resources
- Requirements: Be 18+, authorized to work in the U.S., have full-time remote or self-employed work outside Oklahoma, have lived outside the state for at least a year, and be able to move to Tulsa within 12 months of applying
- Apply: Visit Tulsa Remote’s website
Tulsa is an underappreciated gem in the heart of the Sooner State. The city offers a lively nightlife at hotspots like Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar and the Max Retropub, or great fine dining at Juniper and Nola’s. There are also plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and more at Gathering Place park, Keystone Lake, and the Tulsa Zoo. Artistic residents can enjoy the Bob Dylan Center or see performances by the Tulsa Ballet and Tulsa Opera.
Tulsa Remote gives you a $10,000 grant toward buying or renting a home, either in a lump sum after buying a home, or in monthly disbursements for renters (and buyers if they haven’t bought yet). This could cover most of your rent for your first year, as the average rent for a one-bed in Tulsa is $931. You’ll receive $2,500 up front and the rest of the $10,000 within your first year after moving to Tulsa.
In order to receive the money, you (the applicant) must sign a lease or purchase a home within city limits, complete your move, and attend a member orientation.
Tulsa houses for rent | Tulsa apartments for rent | Tulsa homes for sale
6. Communities in Alabama
- Initiative: Remote Shoals
- Incentives: Up to $10,000
- Requirements: Be 18+, make at least $52,000 per year, currently work full-time remote or be self-employed based outside of Colbert and Lauderdale counties, and move to Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, or Tuscumbia within six months of approval
- Apply: Visit the Remote Shoals website
Just two hours from Memphis, Nashville, and Birmingham, “The Shoals” is a large region in Northwest Alabama that includes the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. While small, there’s a lot to love about these interconnected cities.
The Tennessee River splits the area in two, with shaded banks and plenty of room for boating, fishing, and outdoor fun. It’s also famous for its music history, with the “Muscle Shoals Sound” influencing many hit songs. Life here is relaxed, away from the big-city rush, but full of culture and friendly people.
The Remote Shoals program offers up to $10,000 paid out over a year for qualified applicants. 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.
The incentive is fairly open-ended and is perfect for renters looking to settle somewhere new. Housing in Alabama is already inexpensive, but is especially affordable in The Shoals. A typical one-bed unit in Florence costs just $695 per month, for example, meaning the $10,000 you get from relocating will more than cover your housing costs for a year.
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7. Communities in Indiana
- Incentives: $5,000 cash, meals with mayors, golf club memberships, and
- Requirements: Be 18+, make at least $50,000 per year, currently work full-time or self-employed and be able to relocate while retaining current position, live outside of Indiana, must move to Tipton within six months of application approval
- Apply: Visit MakeMyMove, or the applicable city/county/region’s official website
Known for its fast cars, basketball obsession, and many major universities, Indiana has a lot to offer. And the state wants remote workers to experience it. All of it.
Indiana has been heavily recruiting new “knowledge workers” to their state through these incentives since the pandemic, with a lot of success. Today, there are 36 cities, counties, and regions that will pay you to live there. In fact, MakeMyMove, the leading directory for relocation incentives, is based in Indianapolis.
If you’re interested, you can have your pick of places across the Hoosier State, with all offering more than $5,000 in cash, plus other incentives. From sprawling Indianapolis ($5,000), to suburban Noblesville ($15,000+), to rural Southwest Indiana ($5,477), there are options for everybody. Most offer a chance to dine with the mayor, a one-year membership at an athletic club, university resources and discounts, and a personal liaison to coordinate your move.
Indiana houses for rent | Indiana apartments for rent | Indiana homes for sale
8. Communities in West Virginia
- Initiative: Ascend West Virginia
- Incentives: $12,000, free outdoor recreational equipment, professional development opportunities, and co-working space
- Requirements: Be 18+, work full-time remotely for an employer outside West Virginia (or be self-employed), provide a full year’s proof of income, and relocate to a designated area within six months of acceptance
- Apply: Head to the Ascend West Virginia website
Life in the Appalachians can be freeing: you’re surrounded by forests, close to ancient caves, but never far from a friendly face. And importantly, you escape the hustle and bustle of big-city life. West Virginia wants everyone to experience this bliss by offering major incentives through its Ascend program.
The Ascend program offers $12,000 in cash for new, relocating residents, distributed in equal monthly installments over two years. Ascend only applies if you’re a remote worker and you move to the Greenbrier Valley, Morgantown, Greater Elkins, Eastern Panhandle, or New River Gorge communities.
Given that the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment rarely tops $1,000 in WV, this incentive could cover 50% of your housing for the two years you receive it. Plus, you’ll get an additional $2,500 worth of outdoor experiences to help you get acquainted with the local landscape and culture. The entire relocation package is valued at $20,000.
West Virginia houses for rent | West Virginia apartments for rent | West Virginia homes for sale
9. Alaska
- Initiative: Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
- Incentives: 2024’s dividend is $1,702 per person, but each year it depends on what the state government allocates
- Requirements: Live in Alaska for a whole calendar year, and plan to live in Alaska exclusively and indefinitely after your first calendar year.
- Apply: Visit the PFD website and apply online between January 1-March 31 after you’re eligible.
Alaska has a landscape unlike anywhere else in the world. Glaciated mountains, untouched oceans, pristine prairies, frigid tundra, ancient rainforests, and more are spread out across over 500,000 square miles of wilderness. People are actually somewhat scarce, outside of small cities and towns.
This lack of people is one of the motivations behind Alaska’s incentive, called the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), which aims to attract new residents. The PFD offers a cash bonus ($1,702 in 2024) for all permanent residents, paid out every year. It’s a relatively small amount of money, but it never ends; the longer you live there, the more money you get back.
Another bonus: Alaska has no income tax, and housing costs are below the national median. You don’t have to own a home, either, so renters can use this to cover a month’s rent – the average one-bedroom apartment in Anchorage costs $1,412. Plus, there are no remote work qualifications.
Alaska houses for rent | Alaska apartments for rent | Alaska homes for sale
Final thoughts
There are plenty of reasons to want to move, and these places make it easier than ever to pack up and hit the road. So easy, it might be hard to choose. Whether you choose a booming city or burgeoning town, you’ll find something to love. Make sure to follow our expert advice if you’re relocating from another state. And instead of lugging everything by yourself, find the best moving company to do the work for you.
If you’re having trouble choosing, there are dozens of other offers and incentives for people willing to relocate. A few are career-specific, too.Visit MakeMyMove to see a full list.
Program details and housing data as of October 2024. This article is for informational purposes only. Rent. does not endorse any of the programs mentioned. Rent. strongly recommends that consumers make informed decisions, and independently verify that a state, city, or financial offering will meet their needs.
