1. Moving
  2. Moving Resources
  3. Relocation Guides
  4. States That Pay You to Move There

Start your free quote now!

Or Call 800-228-3092 to start your free quote!

Open in ChatGPT

Ask questions and chat with this page directly in ChatGPT


HELPFUL INFORMATION

States That Pay You to Move

Moving isn't always as expensive as you might think. While you have to pay to move to most states, there are some states that pay you to move there. Though they may not be at the top of most lists, they offer a high quality of life: a chance to rediscover the charm of small-town America and live close to nature. Keep in mind, these states aren't offering money out of the goodness of their hearts. They’re doing it to help revitalize their communities. So while they’re willing to pay cash, it comes with a few provisions about where you can live, where you can work, and how long you stay.

Here’s a quick overview of some states that pay you to move:

Alaska

Alaska has one of the longest-running incentive programs in the country: the Permanent Dividend Fund. Started in 1976, it pays every resident an annual stipend as long as they lived in Alaska during the previous calendar year. The amount depends on the state’s annual revenue, but averages around $1,600.

Unlike most states that pay you to move there, the Dividend Fund has no geographic or age restrictions. You’re eligible no matter what part of the state you live in, but you must demonstrate a willingness to reside there indefinitely when you apply. Acceptable proof includes:

  • W2
  • Alaska Driver’s License
  • Vehicle Registration
  • Voter Registration
  • Mortgage Statement or Escrow Papers
  • Lease Agreement
  • Boat or Moorage Fees for a Primary Residence Vehicle
  • State Benefits, Such As Senior Benefits, Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance, General Relief, Interim Assistance, Alaska Housing, Energy Assistance, and Old Age Assistance

Oklahoma

Tulsa Remote is a program designed to help remote workers interested in moving to Oklahoma. It offers $10,000 to anyone who meets the five eligibility criteria below.

  • At least 18 years old
  • Authorized to work in the United States
  • Employed in full-time remote work
  • Able to relocate to Tulsa within 12 months
  • Has resided outside of Oklahoma for the past year

Once you’ve applied, select applicants will be interviewed by Tulsa staff in order to learn more about your background and interest in the city. If you're accepted, the money will be deposited into your account in monthly disbursements as soon as you can provide proof of residency (e.g. lease agreement, mortgage).

Besides money, the program offers a few other benefits. Incoming residents are given a membership at 36 Degrees North, a co-working space for entrepreneurs and remote workers. They’re also enrolled in Benepass, a health and wellness platform, to help connect them to gyms, spas, and counselors in the area. If you’re searching for a healthcare provider, the state provides access to Juno Medical, which provides a wide range of pediatric, primary care, women’s health, and same-day care services.

West Virginia

Ascend West Virginia is a program aimed at remote workers looking to escape the urban grind for a life among the forests, rivers, and mountains. New residents receive $10,000 paid out in monthly installments over their first year, plus an additional $2,000 if they decide to stay another year.

They also receive a Digital Outdoor Recreation Pass entitling them to 12 months of wilderness adventures, including camping, kayaking, ziplining, off-road excursions, and whitewater rafting expeditions, as well as discounts on skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing equipment. With over 1.5 million acres of parks and public land, 98,000 miles of rivers and streams, 1,500 miles of hiking trails, 130 golf courses, and five ski resorts ‒ it’s a tremendous opportunity for anyone interested in exploring the great outdoors.

Participants are also given free access to co-working spaces within West Virginia, to help them connect and collaborate with digital nomads and entrepreneurs. The program includes social events as well, designed to foster community and introduce you to life in the Mountain State. You can even earn a Remote Worker or Remote Manager Certification through the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University.

The program is open to anyone who currently resides outside West Virginia and works remotely full-time. Business owners are also eligible, as long as they own a business outside the state that can be managed remotely. Once accepted, you’re required to move within six months. Choose from any number of participating towns across the state. Not everyone who applies is guaranteed acceptance, but previous applicants are encouraged to apply again whenever a spot opens in their desired community.

Kansas

Kansas’ Choose Topeka program offers up to $15,000 to remote workers with employers outside Shawnee County. It's also open to on-site workers, but only if their company participates in the state’s relocation incentive.

Anyone accepted by the program is required to purchase a home or rent an apartment in Topeka within 12 months after being hired or moving to the area. Renters receive $10,000, and home buyers $15,000. Everyone applying to the program must be authorized to work in the United States. They’re also required to complete the Choose Topeka survey after their first year in the city and must take part in a Choose Topeka Immersion program. Finally, for anyone interested in working on-site, the application from your employer must be received before you relocate.

Michigan

Another program aimed at remote workers, Move to Michigan offers up to $15,000 in direct financial assistance, as well as $5,000 in additional benefits to home buyers who relocate to Southwest Michigan. The state provides $10,000 towards your mortgage, with the amount rising to $15,000 if you plan on enrolling your child in a public school within two years of arrival.

The money is presented to your lender at closing, then gradually forgiven after each year of residency ($5,000 the first year, $2,500 the second year, $1,250 the third year, etc.). Anyone who meets the criteria is encouraged to apply. Applicants:

  • Must reside outside Michigan
  • Must provide proof of employment outside Michigan
  • Cannot have a home under contract or be working with a realtor in Southwest Michigan
  • Are required to purchase or build a home worth at least $200,000
  • Must obtain Michigan residency by acquiring a Michigan driver’s license and claiming Michigan as their primary residence
  • Must consider volunteering in a civic organization in their new community

There are certain geographic restrictions as well. The program is focused on communities along South Lake Michigan, specifically:

  • The City of St. Joseph
  • The City of Benton Harbor
  • St. Joseph Charter Township
  • Royalton Township
  • Benton Charter Township
  • Oronoko Charter Township
  • Lake Charter Township
  • Lincoln Charter Township
  • The Village of Stevensville

Besides financial assistance, Move to Michigan offers additional incentives to make your transition even better. Successful applicants can choose two of the following benefits, absolutely free!

  • Car Service. Free rides to and from regional airports for one year.
  • Harbor Shores Practice and Driving Range. Become a member at one of the premier golf clubs in the state.
  • Co-Working Space. Enroll in a co-working space, where you can forge connections with other remote workers.
  • Renaissance Athletic Club. Receive a free membership to one of Michigan’s leading gyms and wellness centers.
  • South Shore Rail. Get a free annual pass to this convenient rail line that links communities in Chicago and Northern Indiana.
  • Park and Beach Access. Obtain a free annual pass to some of the state’s most popular outdoor attractions: St. Joseph Beach, Benton Harbor Beaches, and Berrien County Parks.
  • Economic Club. Automatically become a member of the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan Speaker Series, which invites leading experts to share their insights on emerging trends and complex issues affecting modern society.

Iowa

Iowa has a relocation program for Greater Cedar Rapids through MakeMyMove, paying remote workers to relocate to the Cedar Rapids area. Through this program, individuals can receive up to $9,050 in relocation incentives. To qualify for the program, you must:

  • Be 18 or older
  • Be a current resident outside of Iowa
  • Have a minimum household income of $55,000 per year
  • Have a full-time remote role or be self-employed, with the ability to work anywhere
  • Make Cedar Rapids, Marion or Hiawatha your primary residence within six months of relocating

Indiana

Indiana has several relocation programs available for 20 different communities. The incentives value is between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on the city. Most cities require you to have a full-time remote job. You also need to be a resident of a different state to be eligible. You can apply for these programs through MakeMyMove.

Minnesota

The city of Bemidji is a small town in northern Minnesota, with a current population of 15,733. If you want to be close to some of the best parks and trails, and you currently have a remote job, you can get paid to move to Bemidji through the 218relocate.com program. This program will cover up to $2,500 of your moving expenses. You'll also get an annual coworking membership and six months of high-speed internet. 

Nebraska

Are you looking to buy a home? You can get paid up to $50,000 in down payment assistance to live in Pawnee City, Nebraska, through the Vision 2030 program. Over 25 new apartments and family homes are currently being built in the city, in hopes of attracting new families to relocate. However, the $50,000 can only be used as a down payment on a newly built home in the area. 

North Dakota

If you're currently an attorney looking to move, there's a state-run program that will pay you up to $45,000 to relocate to a rural law firm in the area. The program is called the North Dakota State Bar Association. It will require you to move to work full-time in a participating community for at least 5 years.

Kentucky

If you currently work from home and want to move to Eastern Kentucky, there is a program that will pay you up to $5,000 in cash to relocate. Eastern Kentucky has a small-town feel and a close proximity to nature. There are five regions you can get paid to relocate to, including the Red River Gorge Area and Mountain Towns.

To qualify, you need:

  • To make at least $70,000 annually 
  • Be a full-time remote employee or be self-employed
  • Must be over 18 and a U.S. citizen

Illinois

Mattoon, IL, is a small city with a population of 16,870, and if you currently live 200 miles from the city limits, they'll pay you to relocate. You're required to move there for at least two years, and you must have a remote role. If you qualify for the program, you'll receive:

  • $5,000 stipend to cover moving expenses
  • Gift cards for local restaurants, meat markets and appliance stores 
  • 6 months of free internet 

To qualify, you'll need to get pre-approved for the program through Make My Move before relocating.

Who Qualifies for These Programs?

The qualifications will vary for the states that pay you to move there. However, most programs will require:

  • Must currently reside in a different state or a specific distance from the location
  • Proof of a full-time remote job with a specific annual salary requirement
  • A specific time commitment for 
  • Be 18 years or older

Some programs may also require you to buy property in the area or to apply for state residency within a specific time period. 

How to Apply for State Relocation Programs

After conducting research to ensure you qualify for the state relocation program, you'll need to gather the correct documents to apply for the relocation program online. It's important that you thoroughly read through the requirements and qualifications before you plan your move. Some programs will require you to get approved before you can relocate. 

Planning Your Incentive-Based Move

Once you apply for the program and you're approved for the relocation benefits, you'll need to start planning your relocation. Most of these moves will be considered long-distance or cross-country, so you'll want to hire professionals to do the heavy lifting. The good news is that some programs may provide relocation assistance to help you hire professional movers. Here are some tips to help you start planning:

  • Compare quotes from two to three moving companies to find the best pricing
  • Start the packing process as early as possible
  • Invest in quality moving supplies
  • Look into new neighborhoods and housing options in the area

America’s Premier Household Moving Services

No matter where you’re moving, North American Van Lines helps you get there smoothly. Our staff has the resources and experience to handle every challenge, from planning to packing to shipping, storage, and final delivery. No concern is too big, no detail too small. With agents located in every city, you can be assured of on-the-ground support from start to finish. Contact us today for a free quote!