28 Places That Pay You To Move: Remote Work Incentive Programs
| Cities and states are now competing to attract remote workers (or anyone willing to move and bring their income). In this running database of U.S. cities and states, you’ll find numerous places that will pay you to live there. The table is organized into remote worker incentive programs, other programs, and closed/paused programs (so you don’t waste your time). |
The concept of work has been intrinsically connected to a physical location since the dawn of civilization over 10,000 years ago. Humans have largely been tied to the following work scenarios:
- Farms: The first agrarian societies planted gardens in fixed locations, setting the stage for a paradigm of location-based work.
- Factories: Manufacturing plants and the work opportunities they brought expanded cities at a rapid rate.
- Offices: In the modern office, knowledge-based work reshaped and further expanded cities and towns.
However, an unprecedented shift is underway. The internet enabled workers to collaborate from any location; the ensuing remote work revolution (spurred by COVID-19 lockdowns) pushed it mainstream. Now individuals have the ability to pack up their skills, knowledge, and income…and take them anywhere in the world.
Cities, states, and even countries are now competing for the brightest minds (and their incomes).
At this very moment, there are many remote work incentive programs across the United States. If you’ve been looking for a new place to live, or want to explore the country while working, check out the following 28 places — they’ll pay you to live there.
28 Places That Pay You To Live There (Overview)
Below, you’ll see every state and city program in the United States that plans to pay you to move there. We’ve organized them into three categories; click one of the links below to learn more about the programs in that grouping:
Remote work incentive programs | Non-remote work programs | Closed programs
Below, you’ll find places in the United States that pay you to live there through an incentive program. Click the name of the program to learn more.
Location | Program | Status | Estimated Value |
- Remote Worker Incentive Programs - | |||
Greater Rochester, New York | Active | $19,000 | |
Southwest Michigan | Active | $20,000 | |
Topeka, Kansas | Active | $15,000 | |
Noblesville, Indiana | Active | $15,000 | |
West Virginia | Active | $12,000 | |
Mattoon, Illinois | Active | $11,703 | |
Tulsa, Oklahoma | Active | $10,000 | |
The Shoals, Alabama | Active | $10,000 | |
Tucson, Arizona | Paused | $9,000 | |
Vermont | Paused | $7,500 | |
Southern Indiana | Active | $5,000 | |
Bemidji, Minnesota | Active | $2,393 | |
Bloomington, Indiana | Active |
| |
Maine | Coming Soon |
| |
- Other Programs (Not Remote Work Specific) - | |||
Hamilton, Ohio | Active | $15,600 | |
Maine | Active | $40,000 | |
Maine | Active | $25,000 | |
Maine | Active |
| |
Alaska | Active | $2,000 | |
Newton, Iowa | Active | $10,000 | |
Baltimore, Maryland | Active | $5,000 | |
- Closed Programs - | |||
Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas | Active | $10,000 | |
Natchez, Mississippi | Closed | $6,100 | |
Savannah, Georgia | Closed | $2,000 | |
Beaumont, Texas | Closed | $2,000 | |
Chattanooga, Tennessee | Closed | $1,250 | |
Hawaii | Closed | ||
Harmony, Minnesota | Closed | $12,000 | |
Remote Worker Incentive Programs That Pay You To Move
Greater Rochester, New York: Greater ROC Remote
Greater ROC Remote offers up to $10,000 in relocation incentives and up to $9,000 in additional homebuyer grants. If you want to apply, you must currently have a full-time remote position.
- Location: Greater Rochester, New York
- Program name: Greater ROC Remote
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $19,000
See Also: The Best US Cities For Working Remotely
Southwest Michigan: Move to Michigan
This program offers up to $15,000 for remote workers nationwide to move to Southwest Michigan. Participants must purchase or build a home with a cost of at least $200,000.
- Location: Southwest Michigan
- Program name: Move to Michigan
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $20,000
Topeka, Kansas: Choose Topeka
The Choose Topeka Relocation Program offers up to $10,000 in funds for renting in the first year and up to $15,000 in funds for home purchase. This program is designed for remote workers who wish to live in Shawnee County.
- Location: Topeka, Kansas
- Program name: Choose Topeka
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $15,000
Noblesville, Indiana: Noblesville Remote Worker Program
The Noblesville Remote Worker Program offers $5,000 for relocation expenses. If you want to participate, you must be employed full-time or self-employed and must earn at least $80,000 annually.
- Location: Noblesville, Indiana
- Program name: Noblesville Remote Worker Program
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $15,000
West Virginia: Ascend WV
West Virginia is launching a program offering $12,000 cash to remote workers willing to relocate to the state. The program also offers a year’s worth of free outdoor recreational activities.
- Location: West Virginia
- Program name: Ascend WV
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $12,000
Mattoon, Illinois: Move To Mattoon
The “Move to Mattoon” program offers $5,000 for relocation and $2,555 gift card to local businesses. In addition, participants will receive a $500 voucher to local restaurants and additional benefits and perks. If you’re interested, you’ll need a personal income of $45,000 per year.
- Location: Mattoon, Illinois
- Program name: Move To Mattoon
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $11,703
Tulsa, Oklahoma: Tulsa Remote
The George Kaiser Family Foundation sponsors Tulsa Remote, which offers $10,000 and a free coworking space to eligible remote workers who move to Tulsa. If you’re interested, you’ll need to be able to move to Tulsa within the next 12 months and be over 18.
- Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Program name: Tulsa Remote
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $10,000
The Shoals, Alabama: Remote Shoals
Remote Shoals Program will offer you $10,000 to do your job from the Shoals. You have to make $52,000 or more per year to be considered; you must also be able to move to the Shoals within six months.
- Location: The Shoals, Alabama
- Program name: Remote Shoals
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $10,000
Tucson, Arizona: Remote Tucson
This program offers up to $9,000 for eligible remote workers. This includes relocation assistance, Airbnb credits, a coworking “sampler pack,” and discounts on housing-related closing costs.
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Program name: Remote Tucson
- Status: Paused
- Estimated value: $9,000
Vermont: Worker Relocation Incentive Program
If you want to move to Vermont, its Worker Relocation Incentive program can subsidize some of your expenses; reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 are available. These grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
- Location: Vermont
- Program name: Worker Relocation Incentive Program
- Status: Paused
- Estimated value: $7,500
Southern Indiana: Choose Southern Indiana
The program offers $5,000 cash to applicants. If you’re interested, you must work remotely and currently reside outside Indiana; you also must have a minimum income of $50,000 and be willing to stay in Indiana for at least two years.
- Location: Southern Indiana
- Program name: Choose Southern Indiana
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $5,000
Bemidji, Minnesota: 218 Relocate
Remote workers planning to work from Bemidji can gain access to benefits like six months of gigabit internet service, membership to a coworking space, and more.
- Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
- Program name: 218 Relocate
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $2,393
Bloomington, Indiana: Bloomington Remote
While this program does not offer cash incentives, it does provide a three-year membership to a coworking space, relocation and real estate services, access to networking events, and more. Applicants should currently reside outside of Indiana, have a full-time remote job, be able to relocate to Bloomington within one year, and be eligible to live and work in the U.S.
- Location: Bloomington, Indiana
- Program name: Bloomington Remote
- Status: Active
- Estimated value:
Maine: Remote Worker Welcome Program
Maine is establishing the Remote Worker Welcome Program to support remote workers. This program is still very new and we don’t know much about it yet; we’ll provide more details as they become available.
- Location: Maine
- Program name: Remote Worker Welcome Program
- Status: Coming soon
- Estimated value:
Other Places That Pay You To Live There (Not Just For Remote)
Hamilton, Ohio: Talent Attraction Program
The Talent Attraction Program offers up to $15,000 to recent STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Mathematics) graduates who move to specified neighborhoods in Hamilton.
- Location: Hamilton, Ohio
- Program name: Talent Attraction Program
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $15,000
Maine: Maine Smart Buy Program
This program offers up to $40,000 in student loan debt forgiveness for first-time homebuyers in Maine.
- Location: Maine
- Program name: Maine Smart Buy Program
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $40,000
Maine: Maine Student Loan Repayment Program
This program offers a $2,500 refundable tax credit per year (up to $25,000) for college graduates who live and work in Maine.
- Location: Maine
- Program name: Maine Student Loan Repayment Program
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $25,000
Maine: Educational Opportunity Tax Credit
Maine offers a unique opportunity for recent college graduates: If you graduated after 2016 and live and work in Maine, the amount you pay in student loans each year reduces your state income tax. It’s not a traditional cash offering, but it’s a very attractive prospect for the right applicant.
- Location: Maine
- Program name: Educational Opportunity Tax Credit
- Status: Active
- Estimated value:
Alaska: Alaska Permanent Fund
While this is not a remote worker program per se, residents of Alaska receive an annual check — usually around $1,000 to $2,000 — for living in the state year-round. It’s a benefit of the state’s oil wealth fund.
- Location: Alaska
- Program name: Alaska Permanent Fund
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $2,000
Newton, Iowa: Newton Housing Initiative
Newton is offering up to $10,000 to new residents. This money goes toward the purchase of homes valued at $190,000 or more.
- Location: Newton, Iowa
- Program name: Newton Housing Initiative
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $10,000
Baltimore, Maryland: Buying Into Baltimore
This program offers a chance for 20 people to win a $5,000 lottery that will be put toward the purchase of a home in the city.
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Program name: Buying Into Baltimore
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $5,000
Closed Programs
Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas: Life Works Here
Moving to the area? Selected remote workers can receive $10,000 and a bicycle or a membership to local cultural institutions.
- Location: Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas
- Program name: Life Works Here
- Status: Active
- Estimated value: $10,000
Natchez, Mississippi: Shift South Remote Worker Program
This program offers up to $2,500 cash for relocation expenses and $300 per month for the first year to assist with living expenses. Applicants must commit to purchasing a home with a minimum value of $150,000.
- Location: Natchez, Mississippi
- Program name: Shift South Remote Worker Program
- Status: Closed
- Estimated value: $6,100
Savannah, Georgia: Savannah Technology Workforce Incentive
This program offers a $2,000 moving cost reimbursement for tech workers who relocate to Chatham County. You must have at least three years of experience in the industry, and must be willing to live in Chatham County for at least two years.
- Location: Savannah, Georgia
- Program name: Savannah Technology Workforce Incentive
- Status: Closed
- Estimated value: $2,000
Beaumont, Texas: Beaumont Remote Worker Program
Beaumont, Texas, offers remote workers $2,000 to move to the area. Applicants must have a remote work position or be self-employed, and must be willing to relocate within the next 12 months.
- Location: Beaumont, Texas
- Program name: Beaumont Remote Worker Program
- Status: Closed
- Estimated value: $2,000
Chattanooga, Tennessee: Geek Move
Geek Moves provides $1,250 in relocation reimbursement and a $10,000 forgivable mortgage for professional computer developers. Applicants must live at least 50 miles outside Chattanooga and be interested in participating in “geek events.”
- Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Program name: Geek Move
- Status: Closed
- Estimated value: $1,250
Hawaii: Movers & Shakas
The “Movers & Shakas” program offers free round-trip flights to out-of-state remote workers who want to live and work from Hawaii. In return, participants are asked to commit a few hours every week to a local nonprofit.
- Location: Hawaii
- Program name: Movers & Shakas
- Status: Closed
- Estimated value:
Harmony, Minnesota: Harmony Minnesota Program / New Home Rebate Program
The city of Harmony offers remote works up to $12,000 in cash rebates toward the purchase of a new home.
- Location: Harmony, Minnesota
- Program name: Harmony Minnesota Program / New Home Rebate Program
- Status: Closed
- Estimated value: $12,000
Continue Your Search For Cities & States Paying You To Move There
The cities and states discussed above will help you move there, but they’re far from the only places that are opening their arms to remote workers.
You can find additional programs and more details around them at CitizenRemote.
You can also visit MakeMyMove, a tool every remote worker should keep in their arsenal. MakeMyMove works directly with cities and states to promote their programs and accept applications; you can browse opportunities, apply, and get accepted right through the site.
Which States Will Pay You $10,000 To Move There?
States that will pay you more than $10,000 to move there include:
- Michigan will pay you up to $20,000.
- West Virginia will pay you up to $12,000.
- Maine will pay you up to $40,000.
Which Cities Pay You To Move There?
If city life is for you, keep reading. The cities below offer programs that will pay you to take up residence:
- Topeka will pay up to $15,000.
- Mattoon will pay up to $11,703.
- Tulsa will pay up to $10,000.
- Baltimore will pay up to $5,000.
- Newton will pay up to $10,000.
What Are Some Remote Worker Incentive Programs Open Now?
The following cities and regions have attractive worker incentive programs open right now:
- Tulsa: You can apply through Tulsa Remote, which provides an estimated value of $10,000. You’ll need to be able to move to Tulsa within a year.
- Greater Rochester: Greater ROC Remote is your ticket to a remote life in ROC. Remote workers are eligible for up to $19,000 in incentives, provided they have a full-time remote position.
- The Shoals: If you can move to the Shoals within six months and make $52,000 or more per year, you’re eligible for the Remote Shoals Program and its $10,000 in incentives.
- Topeka: Move to Kansas (specifically Shawnee County) through Choose Topeka and receive up to $15,000 in incentives.
