Prepared for a recent begin? How about one that really pays you to make a transfer? These U.S. cities are rolling out the purple 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 deal with pupil loans, a distant employee searching for a decrease price of dwelling, or just craving new surroundings, you’ll need to try these communities. On this Redfin article, we’ll take a better have 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 progress 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 area are all up for grabs.
A hidden gem of the South, Columbus embraces each down-to-earth dwelling and trendy conveniences. Dwelling to the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, Civil Warfare historical past, whitewater rafting, and extra, there are limitless issues to do all inside strolling distance. Or, for a weekend journey, you’ll be able to take a fast journey to close by cities like Montgomery and Atlanta. Homes solely price $200,000, too – half the nationwide common.
Initiative
Transfer to Significant
Advantages & Data
$5,000 in money, six months of coworking area, a welcome bundle, and rather more.
The entire bundle is valued at $8,700.
Program Necessities
To qualify, you have to:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and be capable of relocate whereas retaining present place
Earn at the least $75,000 per 12 months from a single revenue supply
Presently reside at the least 75 miles exterior of Columbus
Transfer to Muscogee County inside six months of approval
The best way to Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com.
2. Lincoln, KS
As a substitute of money incentives, Lincoln takes a singular 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 growth inside the metropolis limits. Remember the fact that you might be chargeable for the prices related to constructing a brand new dwelling, nonetheless.
But when constructing a house isn’t for you, Lincoln is made much more engaging by its reasonably priced housing market. The median sale value for properties in Lincoln County is simply $57,000.
Initiative
Free Dwelling Web site Program
Advantages & Data
Variable, as plots of land vary from 14,000-35,000 sq. ft.
Program Necessities
Whereas the Free Dwelling Web site Program doesn’t supply a stipend, they do supply free tracts of land.
In an effort to qualify, you have to be a person or household relocating to or flipping a house in Lincoln, KS.
The best way to Apply
Go to the Lincoln County web site for extra info.
3. Muskegon and Jackson, MI
Southwest Michigan needs you to expertise its famously snowy winters, pleasant individuals, and lakeside views. Muskegon and Jackson are providing money, employment, and a big down cost help bundle for brand 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 Dwelling Scholarship + 100 Houses Program
Advantages & Data
Muskegon is providing as much as $15,000 for certified lecturers to stay and educate within the metropolis, or $7,200 for brand new distant employees.
Jackson affords $25,000 in down cost help for homebuyers seeking to construct a home and who qualify for the 100 Houses Program, plus different advantages.
Program Necessities
For the Welcome Dwelling Scholarship:
Be an authorized Pre-Ok-12 educator or ancillary employees (social employee, speech pathologist, and so on.)
Presently reside exterior of Muskegon County
——————————————————
For the 100 Houses Program:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and be capable of relocate whereas retaining present place (or be self-employed)
Earn at the least $70,000 per 12 months
Occupy your new dwelling full time, excluding a lease or sub lease
Presently reside exterior of Michigan
The best way to Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com.
4. Newton, IA
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 bundle.
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 season nights.
Selecting Newton as your private home additionally means extra reasonably priced housing. The median dwelling value for dwelling 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 determination, there are many leases in Newton to think about.
Initiative
Get to Know Newton
Advantages & Data
As much as $10,000, plus extras in the event you qualify.
Program Necessities
In an effort to qualify for Get to Know Newton, you have to buy a brand new dwelling (not only a property) inside Newton, Iowa metropolis limits.
Rental properties are excluded.
The best way 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 generally known as the “three corners.” Town’s identify is definitely a mashup of all three place names. Famously, Texarkana’s put up workplace and courthouse constructing straddles the state line. Technically, Texarkana, TX and Texarkana, AR are separate cities with completely different faculty districts and governments, however they often operate as one.
Texarkana is seeking to develop and let individuals learn about its prime quality, reasonably priced way of life by means of a profitable incentive to draw distant employees. This system is known as “Redi…set…MOVE!” (or REDI), and is providing incentives value greater than $18,000. It has proved common, too. As of 2024, this system had already obtained greater than 1,800 candidates.
Initiative
Redi… set… MOVE!
Advantages & Data
$5,000 in money, tuition reductions at Texas A&M Texarkana, arts memberships, breakfast with the mayor, a 12 months of free coworking area, and extra.
The entire bundle is valued at $18,100.
Program Necessities
To qualify for this system you have to:
Be 18 years outdated or older and eligible to work within the U.S.
Have a minimal revenue of $75,000 per 12 months
Work full-time and be capable of relocate whereas retaining present place (or be self-employed)
Transfer to Texarkana inside six months of approval
The best way to Apply
Go to MakeMyMove.com
6. Cities in The Shoals, AL Area
When you’re a distant employee searching for a change of surroundings, a vibrant meals scene, and riverside parks, contemplate the Shoals area in Northwest Alabama. The Shoals is made up of 4 completely different cities that border the Tennessee River: Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. All 4 are stunning and are accepting purposes for brand 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 want to check drive every metropolis, you can even contemplate renting an residence in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, or Tuscumbia.
Initiative
Distant Shoals
Advantages & Data
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 have to:
Be 18 years outdated or older and eligible to work within the U.S.
Have a minimal revenue of $52,000 per 12 months
Have full-time distant or self-employed work which relies exterior of the Colbert and Lauderdale counties in Alabama
Transfer to Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, or Tuscumbia, AL inside six months of approval
The best way to Apply
Go to the Distant Shoals web site.
7. Topeka, KS
Recognized for its arts and outside scene, transferring to Topeka, KS, may very well be a choice 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 site” place, in addition to to distant employees who relocate so long as their employer is positioned exterior of Shawnee County. Incentives high $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 dwelling value in Topeka is $159,500, lower than half the nationwide median, and town boasts a ten% decrease price of dwelling in comparison with the nationwide common.
Able to make the transfer? Begin your private home search by wanting up flats for lease in Topeka, in addition to properties on the market in Topeka.
Initiative
Select Topeka
Advantages & Data
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 have to:
Be 18 years outdated 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
The best way 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 price of dwelling, a thriving distant work group, and numerous alternatives to discover town, it’s no surprise Tulsa has been attracting a gradual stream of recent residents. In truth, Tulsa Distant alone has introduced 3,500 individuals to the realm and generated tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}, whereas saving newcomers 1000’s. It has been remarkably profitable.
A affluent oil city, Tulsa has lots 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 under the nationwide common ($228,000 in comparison with $427,000). And thru Tulsa Distant, you’ll obtain money and different advantages to 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 testing homes for lease to get a really feel for what it’s prefer to stay in Tulsa earlier than placing down roots.
Initiative
Tulsa Distant
Advantages & Data
$10,000 relocation incentive.
Renters obtain $10,000 by means of month-to-month disbursements. Consumers have the choice to obtain a lump sum after buying a house.
Recipients additionally obtain a one-year membership at a metropolis coworking website, in addition to housing and group sources.
Program Necessities
To qualify for Tulsa Distant, you have to:
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
Have the ability to transfer to Tulsa inside 12 months of making use of
The best way to Apply
Go to Tulsa Distant’s web site.
Remaining ideas
As distant work continues to reshape how and the place individuals stay, incentive applications provide the uncommon likelihood to spice up each your profession and private funds. With state and native governments sweetening the deal for newcomers, you would end up benefitting from decrease prices, secure job alternatives, and an additional test in your pocket. It’s a contemporary win-win: Transfer someplace that aligns together 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 increase to your financial institution steadiness – these ten cities simply may be your subsequent nice journey.
There are lots extra affords and incentives for individuals prepared to relocate, however most others require particular training 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 buyers make knowledgeable choices, and independently confirm {that a} state, metropolis, or monetary providing will meet their wants.
