As the nation faces a squeeze on housing affordability and continues to see an increase in the overall cost of living, many Americans might find it encouraging to learn that some municipalities are actually offering incentives for people to relocate there.
Regardless of whether they aim to draw remote employees or individuals looking for fresh prospects, these locations—primarily situated in the Midwest and Southern parts of the country—are providing various enticements for people ready to relocate there.
Why It Matters
A decrease in the birthrate coupled with an expected reduction in the U.S. population could lead to significant economic and societal instabilities over the next few decades. A research paper from 2024 featured in Nature predicts that around half of approximately 30,000 American cities will experience population decreases by 2100, affecting between 12% to 23% of their populations and impacting up to 27% to 44% of the nation’s developed areas.
Although this trend has not yet caused as severe an effect nationwide, smaller towns across America are beginning to see a decline in population and are taking various measures to counteract it, including providing financial bonuses to people who choose to relocate there.
11 Towns Offering Incentives for New Residents
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa’s municipal administration is presently providing $10,000 to remote employees who relocate to the region as part of their "Tulsa Remote" initiative. According to the city, this scheme has successfully attracted 3,500 additional remote workers to join their community so far.
Here are the criteria needed to qualify for the program:
- Being at least 18
- Having permission to work in the U.S.
- Holding a permanent, work-from-anywhere job position outside of Oklahoma
- After residing outside of Oklahoma for an entire year prior to applying
Individuals who receive approval have twelve months to relocate to Tulsa. Afterward, authorities will confirm whether these individuals have entered into an eligible leasing agreement or bought a suitable residence. Following this verification, the funds will be distributed either as regular installments over time or as a single payment if the awardee opts for purchasing a qualified property.
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia are all located in Alabama.
Employees who work remotely and choose to relocate to Northwestern Alabama’s Shoals region may qualify for up to $10,000 through the state's Remote Shoals program. The primary cities involved include Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia.
The requirements are:
- Being over 18
- Requiring a lowest yearly salary of $52,000
- Having the ability to relocate within the upcoming six-month period
- Having full-time remote employment or self-employment outside Colbert and Lauderdale Counties
Applicants who are selected will get 25 percent initially to help with moving expenses. They'll receive an additional 25 percent following their initial half-year stay in the region, and the final 50 percent upon completing one full year there. The initiative states that the Shoals offer ideal conditions for telecommuters, featuring reasonably priced properties, minimal property tax rates, and generally lower living costs.
Newton, Iowa
In Iowa's Jasper County, the city of Newton provides newcomers with an inducement of as much as $10,000 in cash upon purchasing a single-family residence priced at least at $240,000.
As part of the city’s Housing Initiative, the incentive is granted during the closing process for securing permanent funding for the residence. The worth of enhancements (excluding land value) needs to be substantiated through either an appraisal or evaluation. Additionally, the building work on the property should be entirely finished.
Properties that are rented out do not qualify for the Home Buyer Incentive.
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, the capital city of Kansas, provides incentives totaling up to $15,000 for newcomers who secure a full-time position in Shawnee County and purchase a home in the region.
Here are the criteria needed for applying to the Choose Topeka initiative:
- 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
- Finishing the Choose Topeka survey after twelve months
- Taking part in a Choose Topeka immersion initiative
Individuals who are renting may receive as much as $10,000 within their initial year, whereas those purchasing a house could be eligible for 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
Both Paducah and Owensboro in Kentucky provide incentives for remote workers as well as teachers and nurses who relocate to these areas.
Eligibility requirements are:
- Working full-time with the ability to move while keeping their present job, or running their own business and relocating while maintaining their current clientele/clientele portfolio.
- Making a minimum of $60,000 per year
- Being U.S. citizens
- Aged 18 years or above
- Presently living outside the state of Kentucky
- Moving their main home to Owensboro within half a year
Individuals who qualify and get approval will be granted $5,000 to offset moving costs.
Remote employees relocating to Paducah may qualify for up to $6,500 in incentives provided their yearly income is at least $100,000.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Aged 21 years or more
- As a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or individual with the appropriate qualifications to be employed within the United States,
- Residing a minimum of 100 miles away from the boundaries of the City of Paducah when applying for the program
- Employing oneself full-time with an organization whose nearest office is at least 100 miles away from Paducah's city boundaries.
- Having the ability to carry out most of their work responsibilities remotely either from a home office or a shared workspace situated within the boundaries of Paducah
- Obtaining main residence status in the City of Paducah within three months after being accepted into the Remote Workers Incentive Program.
- Not participating in any other public funding programs/Initiatives
- Consenting in writing to maintain principal residency in Paducah city for a minimum of twelve months following the conclusion of the first-year 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:
- Hold down a full-time job with the ability to move locations without losing your present role, or work for yourself and have the flexibility to relocate while keeping your current clientele/client portfolio intact.
- Make a minimum of $75,000 per year
- 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.
Related Articles
- The US City Where Homes Prices Have Jumped Nearly 30 Percent
- Map Shows Top Tourist Destination Neighborhoods in the US
- Map Shows Best Cities for Millennials Earning $150,000
- New Yorker Shares City Tour Tip He Insists 'Travelers' Always Overlook
Start your unlimited trial