These towns in US will pay you $12,000 to call them home

Several towns across the United States are offering cash incentives and community benefits to attract new residents, as part of a growing trend known as “relocation economics.” These programs aim to boost local populations, support workforce growth, and strengthen communities by welcoming remote workers and other newcomers, as per a Forbes report .

MakeMyMove, an online platform connecting people to such offers, has expanded rapidly since launching in 2020. It now features over 170 relocation programs nationwide. Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove, told Forbes, “For every $100,000 of income that we help attract, it generates $83,000 of incremental economic activity in the region each year.”

Texarkana, located on the Texas-Arkansas border, launched its “Redi-Set-Move” program in 2024, offering a $5,000 relocation bonus, tuition discounts at Texas A&M Texarkana, a yearlong membership to a local creator space, and community events including lunch with the mayor. Rob Sitterley, president of AR-TX REDI, said the program addresses population stagnation and workforce challenges.


Other locations offering financial incentives include:

• Morgantown, West Virginia: Up to $12,000 relocation bonus plus free co-working space and professional development support.

• Tulsa, Oklahoma: $10,000 for remote workers, with wellness benefits and community events.

• Republic County, Kansas: $8,000 cash, state income tax waiver, and up to $35,000 in housing incentives.

• Columbus, Georgia: $5,000 cash plus co-working memberships, community meet-ups, and mayor’s coffee.

• New Albany, Indiana: $5,000 relocation cash, co-working memberships, and a $5,000 business start-up grant.

• Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $5,000 cash and perks like baseball game tickets and restaurant vouchers to help newcomers settle.

Many programs also include non-cash benefits such as free or discounted college tuition, daycare support, health and wellness offerings, and social events to help new residents integrate into the community.

Jodi Schafer, talent attraction director in Cedar Rapids, told Forbes, “Community immersion is a critical factor in ensuring a smooth transition and retention of new residents.”

This shift from attracting large companies to investing in people is seen as a new economic development model. Towns hope these incentives will expand local tax bases, increase demand for housing and retail, and diversify workforce and culture.

As remote work becomes more common, more US towns are likely to offer such packages to compete for residents seeking affordable living and community connection.