Prepared for a recent begin? How about one that really pays you to make a transfer? These U.S. cities are rolling out the pink carpet with money incentives, welcome committees, and different perks to draw new residents in 2025.
Whether or not you’re a latest grad seeking to sort out scholar loans, a distant employee in search of a decrease value of dwelling, or just craving new surroundings, you’ll need to try these communities. On this Redfin article, we’ll take a better take a look at eight cities that pay you to maneuver there.
>> Learn: 8 States That Pay You to Transfer There in 2025
8 cities that pay you to maneuver there in 2025
Columbus, GA
Lincoln, KS
Muskegon + Jackson, MI
Newton, IA
Texarkana, TX + AR
The Shoals, AL area
Topeka, KS
Tulsa, OK
1. Columbus, GA
Columbus is embarking on a significant marketing campaign to draw new expertise, enterprise, and development to the area, known as Columbus 2025. It’s a complete plan to let the nation know that there’s one thing for everybody in Columbus. A part of this advertising and marketing overhaul includes an incentive program geared toward bringing in distant employees. Money, recreation memberships, and coworking house are all up for grabs.
A hidden gem of the South, Columbus embraces each down-to-earth dwelling and fashionable conveniences. House to the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, Civil Conflict historical past, whitewater rafting, and extra, there are countless issues to do all inside strolling distance. Or, for a weekend journey, you may take a fast journey to close by cities like Montgomery and Atlanta. Homes solely value $200,000, too – half the nationwide common.
Initiative
Transfer to Significant
Advantages & Info
$5,000 in money, six months of coworking house, a welcome package deal, and way more.
The overall package deal is valued at $8,700.
Program Necessities
To qualify, you could:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and have the ability to relocate whereas retaining present place
Earn not less than $75,000 per 12 months from a single earnings supply
At present reside not less than 75 miles exterior of Columbus
Transfer to Muscogee County inside six months of approval
Find out how to Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com.
2. Lincoln, KS
As an alternative of money incentives, Lincoln takes a novel strategy to draw new residents by providing free land to these seeking to put down roots. Every lot ranges from 14,000 to 35,000 sq. ft and is positioned inside a completely decked-out residential improvement inside the metropolis limits. Remember the fact that you might be liable for the prices related to constructing a brand new house, nonetheless.
But when constructing a house isn’t for you, Lincoln is made much more enticing by its reasonably priced housing market. The median sale worth for houses in Lincoln County is simply $57,000.
Initiative
Free House Website Program
Advantages & Info
Variable, as plots of land vary from 14,000-35,000 sq. ft.
Program Necessities
Whereas the Free House Website Program doesn’t supply a stipend, they do supply free tracts of land.
To be able to qualify, you have to be a person or household relocating to or flipping a house in Lincoln, KS.
Find out how to Apply
Go to the Lincoln County web site for extra data.
3. Muskegon and Jackson, MI
Southwest Michigan needs you to expertise its famously snowy winters, pleasant folks, and lakeside views. Muskegon and Jackson are providing money, employment, and a big down cost help package deal for brand spanking new residents value $25,000. These cities are rebounding from Rust-Belt declines and boast reasonably priced dwelling, rejuvenated downtowns, and easy accessibility to Detroit and Grand Rapids.
Initiatives
Welcome House Scholarship + 100 Properties Program
Advantages & Info
Muskegon is providing as much as $15,000 for certified academics to reside and train within the metropolis, or $7,200 for brand spanking new distant employees.
Jackson affords $25,000 in down cost help for homebuyers seeking to construct a home and who qualify for the 100 Properties Program, plus different advantages.
Program Necessities
For the Welcome House Scholarship:
Be an authorized Pre-Okay-12 educator or ancillary employees (social employee, speech pathologist, and many others.)
At present reside exterior of Muskegon County
——————————————————
For the 100 Properties Program:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and have the ability to relocate whereas retaining present place (or be self-employed)
Earn not less than $70,000 per 12 months
Occupy your new house full time, excluding a lease or sub lease
At present reside exterior of Michigan
Find out how to Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com.
4. Newton, IA
The town of Newton is attracting new residents to settle into their group for the lengthy haul with a significant housing initiative. With the Get to Know Newton program, you’ll obtain a stipend quantity primarily based on the worth of the house you purchase. So, in the event you pay $240,000 or extra for a house, you’ll obtain a $10,000 money incentive, in addition to the Get to Know Newton welcome package deal.
Newton is a small metropolis positioned 30 miles east of Des Moines, with easy accessibility to the massive metropolis by way of Interstate 80. Rolling hills, dairy farms, and big-box shops butt up towards a small arboretum, well-known racetrack, and some streamside parks, giving residents loads of choices. Prairies for so far as the attention can see make for unforgettable summer time nights.
Selecting Newton as your own home additionally means extra reasonably priced housing. The median house worth for house in Newton is $160,000 – lower than half the nationwide median. However in the event you’re seeking to scope out town earlier than making your choice, there are many leases in Newton to contemplate.
Initiative
Get to Know Newton
Advantages & Info
As much as $10,000, plus extras in the event you qualify.
Program Necessities
To be able to qualify for Get to Know Newton, you could buy a brand new house (not only a property) inside Newton, Iowa metropolis limits.
Rental properties are excluded.
Find out how to Apply
Go to Newton’s official web site.
5. Texarkana, AR + TX
Texarkana is a twin metropolis positioned in each Arkansas and Texas, simply 35 miles from Louisiana – a area often known as the “three corners.” The town’s title is definitely a mashup of all three place names. Famously, Texarkana’s submit workplace and courthouse constructing straddles the state line. Technically, Texarkana, TX and Texarkana, AR are separate cities with totally different faculty districts and governments, however they typically operate as one.
Texarkana is seeking to develop and let folks learn about its prime quality, reasonably priced way of life by means of a profitable incentive to draw distant employees. This system is named “Redi…set…MOVE!” (or REDI), and is providing incentives value greater than $18,000. It has proved fashionable, too. As of 2024, this system had already obtained greater than 1,800 candidates.
Initiative
Redi… set… MOVE!
Advantages & Info
$5,000 in money, tuition reductions at Texas A&M Texarkana, arts memberships, breakfast with the mayor, a 12 months of free coworking house, and extra.
The overall package deal is valued at $18,100.
Program Necessities
To qualify for this system you could:
Be 18 years previous or older and eligible to work within the U.S.
Have a minimal earnings of $75,000 per 12 months
Work full-time and have the ability to relocate whereas retaining present place (or be self-employed)
Transfer to Texarkana inside six months of approval
Find out how to Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com
6. Cities in The Shoals, AL Area
When you’re a distant employee in search of a change of surroundings, a vibrant meals scene, and riverside parks, think about the Shoals area in Northwest Alabama. The Shoals is made up of 4 totally different cities that border the Tennessee River: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. All 4 are stunning and are accepting purposes for brand spanking new residents within the Distant Shoals program.
Can’t half with the hustle and bustle of city life? No worries. The Shoals is barely a two-hour drive from Birmingham, Nashville, and Memphis, and an hour flight to Atlanta by way of Boutique Airways, giving you quick access to main cities.
With low property taxes and below-average home costs, the price of dwelling in these cities is considerably decrease than different equally sized metro areas within the state. However in the event you’re having hassle choosing and wish to check drive every metropolis, it’s also possible to think about renting an residence in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, or Tuscumbia.
Initiative
Distant Shoals
Advantages & Info
As much as $10,000. You’ll obtain 25% of the stipend earlier than your transfer, one other 25% six months after you relocate, and the remaining 50% one 12 months after your transfer.
Program Necessities
To qualify for Distant Shoals, you could:
Be 18 years previous or older and eligible to work within the U.S.
Have a minimal earnings of $52,000 per 12 months
Have full-time distant or self-employed work which is predicated exterior of the Colbert and Lauderdale counties in Alabama
Transfer to Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, or Tuscumbia, AL inside six months of approval
Find out how to Apply
Go to the Distant Shoals web site.
7. Topeka, KS
Recognized for its arts and outside scene, transferring to Topeka, KS, could possibly be a call that pays off in spades. The Select Topeka Initiative affords money funds and extra to distant employees transferring from out of state for an “on web site” place, in addition to to distant employees who relocate so long as their employer is positioned exterior of Shawnee County. Incentives prime $15,000 and allow you to discover town’s fantastical Nineteenth-century structure.
There’s additionally no denying the financial savings that include dwelling in Topeka in comparison with different main cities. The median house worth in Topeka is $159,500, lower than half the nationwide median, and town boasts a 10% decrease value of dwelling in comparison with the nationwide common.
Able to make the transfer? Begin your own home search by trying up flats for lease in Topeka, in addition to houses on the market in Topeka.
Initiative
Select Topeka
Advantages & Info
As much as $10,000 if renting a house, and as much as $15,000 if shopping for a house.
Further $5,000 for transitioning army service members.
Program Necessities
To qualify for Select Topeka, you could:
Be 18 years previous or older and eligible to work within the U.S.
Transfer to Topeka for a full time place (or work remotely for an out-of-state employer). It’s essential to confirm that your employer participates within the Select Topeka program
Buy or lease a house in Shawnee County inside a 12 months of being employed or transferring
Take part in a Select Topeka Immersion program
Full the Select Topeka survey after one 12 months
Find out how to Apply
Go to the Select Topeka web site to use.
8. Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma is paying to relocate distant employees by means of a program known as Tulsa Distant. With a low value of dwelling, a thriving distant work group, and numerous alternatives to discover town, it’s no surprise Tulsa has been attracting a regular stream of latest residents. In reality, Tulsa Distant alone has introduced 3,500 folks to the realm and generated tens of tens of millions of {dollars}, whereas saving newcomers 1000’s. It has been remarkably profitable.
A affluent oil city, Tulsa has so much going for it. From Artwork Deco structure within the Deco District, to a gleaming museum in an Italian villa, there’s lots to take pleasure in. Plus, in the event you’re seeking to purchase a home in Tulsa, costs are properly beneath the nationwide common ($228,000 in comparison with $427,000). And thru Tulsa Distant, you’ll obtain money and different advantages in your Oklahoma relocation.
However in the event you’re not able to make the leap to homeownership, no worries. Think about renting an residence in Tulsa or trying out homes for lease to get a really feel for what it’s prefer to reside in Tulsa earlier than placing down roots.
Initiative
Tulsa Distant
Advantages & Info
$10,000 relocation incentive.
Renters obtain $10,000 by means of month-to-month disbursements. Patrons have the choice to obtain a lump sum after buying a house.
Recipients additionally obtain a one-year membership at a metropolis coworking web site, in addition to housing and group sources.
Program Necessities
To qualify for Tulsa Distant, you could:
Be 18 years of age or older
Are approved to work within the U.S.
Have full-time distant or self-employed work primarily based exterior the state of Oklahoma
Have lived exterior the state of Oklahoma for a full 12 months
Be capable to transfer to Tulsa inside 12 months of making use of
Find out how to Apply
Go to Tulsa Distant’s web site.
Closing ideas
As distant work continues to reshape how and the place folks reside, incentive applications provide the uncommon probability to spice up each your profession and private funds. With state and native governments sweetening the deal for newcomers, you may end up benefitting from decrease prices, steady job alternatives, and an additional test in your pocket. It’s a contemporary win-win: Transfer someplace that aligns along with your way of life, and let that place put money into your future. When you’re prepared for a change of surroundings – and a possible enhance to your financial institution stability – these ten cities simply is perhaps your subsequent nice journey.
There are lots extra affords and incentives for folks prepared to relocate, however most others require particular schooling or different necessities. Go to MakeMyMove to see a full checklist.
Disclaimer: Program particulars and housing knowledge as of February 2025. This text is for informational functions solely. Redfin doesn’t endorse any of the applications talked about. Redfin strongly recommends that customers make knowledgeable choices, and independently confirm {that a} state, metropolis, or monetary providing will meet their wants.