List of States/Cities That Pay You to Relocate

A growing number of cities and states are starting to offer workers financial rewards if they relocate. We've compiled a list of locations offering financial incentives to attract new residents and remote workers, as of February 15, 2024.

States:

• Alaska: Permanent Fund Dividend (annual payment to all residents)
• Arkansas: Northwest Arkansas offers various packages (e.g., NWA Startup Hub)
• Colorado: Grand Junction offers $5,000 for remote workers with qualifying jobs
• Connecticut: Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board program for entrepreneurs
• Georgia: Savannah offers flexible incentives for relocation and business development
• Idaho: Coeur d'Alene offers $5,000 for remote workers with qualifying jobs
• Illinois: Decatur offers $10,000 for remote workers with qualifying jobs
• Indiana: Multiple state and local programs throughout the state, including Evansville ($5,000), Lafayette ($5,000), South Bend ($5,000), and Perry County ($7,000)
• Iowa: Newton offers $10,000 for remote workers, Des Moines offers various incentives
• Kansas: Topeka offers $12,000 for remote workers, Wichita offers various incentives
• Kentucky: Multiple programs across the state, including Bowling Green ($7,500), Paducah ($6,500), and Somerset ($5,000)
• Maine: Up to $2,500 for remote workers living in the state for at least 5 years
• Maryland: Montgomery County offers various incentives for tech companies and talent
• Massachusetts: Western MA Remote Worker Grant program ($7,500)
• Michigan: Detroit offers various incentives for startups and businesses
• Minnesota: Duluth offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• Missouri: Kansas City offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• Nebraska: Lincoln offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• New Hampshire: Nashua offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• New Mexico: Las Cruces offers $5,000 for remote workers with qualifying jobs
• New York: Multiple programs across the state, including Rochester ($19,000), Watertown ($7,500), and Buffalo ($15,000)
• North Carolina: Asheville offers $5,000 for remote workers with qualifying jobs
• North Dakota: Fargo offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• Ohio: Athens offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• Oklahoma: Tulsa offers $10,000 for remote workers, Broken Arrow offers $5,000
• Oregon: Eugene offers $5,000 for remote workers, Bend offers various incentives
• South Carolina: Greenville offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• South Dakota: Sioux Falls offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• Tennessee: Chattanooga offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• Texas: El Paso offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• Utah: Salt Lake City offers various incentives for businesses and residents
• Vermont: Up to $10,000 over two years for remote workers and entrepreneurs
• Virginia: Martinsville offers $5,000 for remote workers, Staunton offers $5,000
• West Virginia: Multiple programs across the state, including Morgantown ($12,000), Greenbrier Valley ($30,000), and Jefferson County ($12,000)
• Wisconsin: Madison offers various incentives for businesses and residents

Cities:

• Ann Arbor, Michigan: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Bloomington, Indiana: Up to $5,000 for remote workers
• Boulder, Colorado: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Chattanooga, Tennessee: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Des Moines, Iowa: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Durham, North Carolina: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Fayetteville, Arkansas: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Grand Junction, Colorado: $5,000 for remote workers with qualifying jobs
• Greensboro, North Carolina: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Kansas City, Missouri: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Lincoln, Nebraska: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Minneapolis, Minnesota: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Nashville, Tennessee: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• New Orleans, Louisiana: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Omaha, Nebraska: Various incentives for businesses and residents
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Various incentives for businesses and residents

One of the biggest rewards seems to come out of Rochester, NY. But most seem to be in the $5k to $10k range.

• Tulsa, Oklahoma: Up to $10,000 in relocation assistance for remote workers.
• Bloomington, Indiana: Up to $5,000 in relocation assistance for remote workers.
• Rochester, New York: Up to $19,000 in grants for remote workers who move to the area.
• Paducah, Kentucky: Up to $6,500 in relocation assistance for remote workers.
• Florence, Alabama: Up to $10,000 in relocation assistance for remote workers.

Unfortunately, there's no single, "typical" set of requirements for qualifying for a relocation move. It mainly depends on the specific program or company offering the relocation assistance.

Here are some common factors and some variations to keep in mind:

Common requirements:

• Employment status: You'll typically need to be a current employee of the company offering the relocation assistance, often holding a full-time, permanent position.
• Job role: Some programs might limit eligibility to specific roles or departments within the company.
• Relocation distance: Relocation incentives are usually offered for moves beyond a certain distance, often exceeding 50 miles or requiring a change of state.
• Minimum employment duration: Many programs require you to be employed with the company for a minimum period (e.g., 6 months or 1 year) before qualifying for relocation assistance.
• Job acceptance: In some cases, relocation assistance might only be offered if you accept a specific job offer in the new location.

Variations:

• Industry: Certain industries, like tech or healthcare, might have more established relocation programs with varying requirements.
• Location: Different states, cities, or even specific company locations could have specific eligibility criteria for their incentives.
• Type of assistance: Programs offering full relocation packages with financial support might have stricter requirements compared to those offering limited assistance like visa sponsorship.
• Individual circumstances: Some programs might consider individual circumstances like unique skillsets, career potential, or personal hardships when assessing eligibility.

To find out the specific requirements for a particular program:

• Contact the program directly: The best way to get reliable information is to reach out to the program administrator or human resources department responsible for relocation assistance.
• Review program guidelines: Many programs have official websites or documents outlining eligibility criteria, benefits offered, and application processes.
• Seek expert advice: Relocation specialists or career coaches can guide you through different programs and navigate the specific requirements.

Remember, qualifying for a relocation move involves more than just meeting basic requirements. Presenting a strong case with relevant skills, a positive attitude, and clear career goals can improve your chances of securing desired relocation assistance.