Want to move house and get paid for it? Across America, a handful of exceptional cities are offering attractive financial incentives to attract new residents.
From cash grants to free land and homebuyer assistance programs, these initiatives aim to invigorate local populations, boost economies, and reward newcomers.
Click or scroll on to explore 10 American cities that will pay you to move – and discover what your next home might look like...
*Data accurate as of May 2025
Home to a thriving arts community, Paducah in Kentucky is one of America's nine UNESCO Creative Cities. Alongside a calendar of cultural events and workshops, the city offers quaint coffee shops, boutiques, and eateries against the idyllic backdrop of the Ohio River.
Paducah's Remote Worker Incentive Program, which offers a relocation reimbursement of up to $2,500, is designed to boost the population of this eclectic hub.
The scheme is open to applicants who live at least 161 kilometers outside of the city and work from home or a co-working space.
The lucrative package also includes an internet allowance of up to $70 per month for a year, a 12-month tax waiver, and around $1,150 worth of free tickets, memberships, and experiences from local businesses.
Average home values in Paducah stand at $177,908 as of May 2025, while monthly rents are $1,295, making it a pretty affordable place to lay down roots.
Detached family homes make up the majority of residential real estate in Paducah. The Northside neighborhood, pictured here, has some of the city's most historic homes, ranging from 1920s bungalows to mid-century homes and ranch-style properties.
Another city looking to lure in remote workers is Tulsa, where scenic, riverfront living collides with electric nightlife, plentiful shopping, and arts and cultural attractions.
The Tulsa Remote scheme rewards newcomers with a $10,000 grant, provided they have full-time remote employment outside of Oklahoma. To qualify, you must have lived outside of the state for at least a year and must be able to relocate to Tulsa within 12 months.
Renters will receive the grant through monthly installments, while homebuyers can choose between receiving a lump sum or monthly payments. Applicants must use their new home as their primary residence for at least a year.
Typical house values in Tulsa are $213,502, while rents amount to around $1,317 a month. However, as with any city, it all comes down to location – districts such as Fair Heights to the west of the center offer more affordable family housing, while you can expect steeper prices in sought-after Florence Park in the heart of the city.
The grand, columned home pictured here is in the city's Cherry Street neighborhood in midtown, a trendy district brimming with local businesses and period homes.
A cosmopolitan city steeped in history and culture, Baltimore's streets are lined with vibrant murals, art museums, and bustling food markets. Its characterful neighborhoods enjoy the best of both worlds, with proximity to amenities as well as green spaces and the tranquil waterfront.
For those who relocate to the city for a job, Baltimore's Live Near Your Work program offers a generous reward.
Over 100 employers have signed up to the scheme, which provides new employees with a grant of between $2,000 and $5,000 to be used as part of a down payment on a home.
To be eligible, your employer must participate in the program, the home must be used as your primary residence, and you must obtain a homeownership counseling certificate from one of the city's agencies. The grant is valid for fixed-term mortgages of up to $731,400, and you must contribute at least $1,000 toward the house purchase.
Luckily, money stretches far in Baltimore, where the average home value is $188,791 and the average rent is $1,785. The housing stock is diverse, but the city is particularly known for its distinctive row houses.
Pictured here are the colorful homes of Guilford Avenue, a historic area in northern Baltimore.
The home of Ivy League college Yale, New Haven is one of America's oldest cities. The picturesque center features historic architecture, an array of museums, renowned restaurants, and attractions, plus outdoor recreation and watersports on the Quinnipiac River.
To encourage people to settle in this beautiful city, New Haven is offering first-time buyers financial assistance for a down payment on a home. Up to $20,000 is up for grabs, provided the buyer's household income doesn't exceed 120% of the median family income in the area.
While the sum is given as an interest-free loan, it's 100% forgiven at the end of the five-year loan period.
New residents who utilize the scheme must use the property as their primary home for the full term of the loan – once it's paid off or the term is up, they're free to sell the property if they wish.
New Haven encompasses plenty of quaint neighborhoods, including Wooster Square in the east of downtown, pictured here. Established in the 19th century, the district is peppered with cherry trees and colorful clapboard homes like this one.
Average house values in New Haven are $320,020, while monthly rents are higher than the national average at $2,262. However, we can't deny the appeal of this charming city.
Straddling the state line between Texas and Arkansas, the city of Texarkana occupies a unique position on the US map. While on paper, Texarkana is split into two twin cities on either side of the border, complete with separate municipal governments, in practice, it's one intertwined community known for its rich history and arts scene.
In a bid to draw more residents, the city is offering a lucrative incentive package to new arrivals. Successful applicants will be awarded a $5,000 relocation bonus plus a host of benefits, including free tickets to the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, free college classes, and membership to the Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council.
To be eligible, applicants must be either employed or self-employed remote workers with an income of at least $75,000. You must currently live outside Arkansas or at least 121 kilometers outside of Texarkana. If successful, you'll need to relocate to Texarkana within six months.
It shouldn't be too hard to get on the property ladder here, considering average home values are a reasonable $197,555. Alternatively, rent will typically set you back $1,689 a month.
Housing stock in Texarkana is spread across a number of established neighborhoods. Northridge is one of the most popular residential areas thanks to its tree-lined streets and upscale country club.
Nicknamed Salt City after its 19th-century salt mines, Hutchinson has evolved from its humble origins into a family-friendly urban center. The Kansas Prairie city is now known for its stellar attractions, including its space museum, zoo, waterpark, and award-winning golf courses.
To help first-time buyers start building a life in Hutchinson, the municipal government is offering up to $2,500 to assist with homebuying costs.
The Down Payment Match Incentive Program is valid for properties located in the neighborhoods of College Grove, Creekside, Founders, Grace Arbor, Houston Whiteside Historic District, Midtown, and SW Bricktown.
The typical house in Hutchinson will set you back $143,596, while monthly rental costs are around $791, making it a very affordable place to put down roots.
Pictured here is the Price House in the Houston Whiteside Historic District, a neighborhood included in the first-time buyer incentive scheme.
The magnificent Queen Anne home dates back to 1890 and was dubbed the "fanciest house in town" when it was built. Its ornate exterior features green and yellow clapboarding and a beautiful gabled porch.
Bisected by Michigan's Grand River, the city of Jackson is entwined with the great outdoors. From parks and forest trails to lakes and fairways, its population of over 30,000 benefits from an array of natural beauty spots on their doorstep, coupled with the convenience of city living.
Jackson's 100 Homes program aims to share a slice of this idyll with new and existing residents. The scheme provides buyers with $25,000 to put towards a down payment on one of its newly constructed houses in the heart of the city.
The grant is open to applicants earning up to 120% of the area's median income.
Homes built as part of the program have a fixed sale price of $175,000, which is less than the average Jackson home value of $187,324. The properties on offer include a mixture of one-story, two-bedroom homes and two-story, three-bedroom homes.
Each house features a basement, a front porch, a kitchen appliance package, central heating, and air conditioning.
Three kilometers outside of downtown Jackson, Bennett is one of the city's more established residential neighborhoods, comprising single-family homes typically built between the 1900s and 1950s. This blue clapboard house is an example of the district's charming housing stock.
The quaint Midwestern city of Muncie is a tight-knit community that combines small-town charm with cultural attractions, independent stores, and diverse eateries. Meanwhile, its numerous hiking trails and the sprawling Prairie Creek Reservoir offer plenty to occupy outdoor enthusiasts.
In an effort to improve the local economy and expand Muncie's population, the Make My Move program is incentivizing remote workers to relocate to the city with a $5,000 bonus. Applicants must be US citizens earning at least $50,000, who currently live outside of Indiana. If successful, you'd need to make the move to Muncie within six months.
The benefits package also includes access to a co-working space, a six-month YMCA membership, discounted sports tickets, and the chance to serve on one of Muncie's nonprofit or civic boards and help influence the running of the city.
Residents in Muncie enjoy refreshingly affordable living costs. Average home values here are $150,763, and rent costs are an economic $990.
Property types range from rental apartments and condos to single-family homes. The city has a number of established residential areas, such as the Riverside Historic District, pictured here. Homes here date as far back as 1895 and include Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Craftsman architecture.
Don't reach for your passport – this Ontario is in the east of Oregon. Home to a modest population of just less than 12,000, the city's quaint downtown is lined with eclectic independent stores. However, the real draw is the surroundings. Ontario is a gateway to some of the region's most spectacular landscapes, from river canyons to high deserts.
To encourage development in Ontario, the city has launched a housing incentive program that awards $10,000 for the construction of new single-family homes in the city.
Homes should be completed within 24 months of an application's approval, and they must be occupied by their owners.
The scheme's rules stipulate that the new houses must have 149 square meters of living space or over 125 square meters if the property has two bathrooms and a two-car garage.
The housing market in Ontario is pretty healthy, with typical home values of $305,801 and average rents of $2,000, so building a home here could be a savvy investment.
Unsurprisingly, homes near the centre of Ontario are the most sought-after, though you'll find larger houses like this on the city fringes.
The capital of Kansas, Topeka offers a roster of cultural events and family-friendly attractions alongside all the city conveniences you could ask for. A boon for residents, the local housing market is below national average levels, resulting in affordable homes and living costs.
The Choose Topeka program was established to entice working professionals to the city with a hefty financial incentive.
If your new employer participates in the scheme, you could be given up to $15,000 to help with a house purchase or up to $10,000 to put towards rent during your first year in Topeka.
To be eligible, you must be relocating for a full-time position with an employer based in Shawnee County. Your home or rental property must be your primary residence, and you have to take part in the Choose Topeka Immersion program.
Luckily, typical home values in the city are exceedingly reasonable at $197,713. Average rent costs, meanwhile, are around $1,189 a month.
City real estate ranges from chic downtown lofts to new-build family homes and historic landmark properties. This beautiful 19th-century home is situated in Potwin Place, one of Topeka's most desirable neighborhoods known for its leafy streets and Victorian-style architecture.
Loved this? Discover more US homes and property news