Did you know some states will pay you thousands of dollars just to move there? In an era where remote work is an option and geographical boundaries are less of a barrier, many places are seizing the opportunity to attract new residents through innovative incentives.
From tax breaks to cash, these programs are designed to attract a diverse range of talent, boost populations, and strengthen local economies. Some of the incentives are substantial, reaching over $10,000, while others offer free recreation equipment, assistance with down payments, or mortgage subsidies.
Many places are primarily focused on bringing in remote workers. However, there are states that offer financial incentives for individuals willing to accept local, in-person job opportunities.
So, whether you’re considering moving across the country for a change of scenery or some extra income, there may be a few destinations on this list that catch your attention. In this Redfin article, we’ll take a closer look at eight states that pay you to move there.
States that pay you to move there in 2025
Alaska
Arkansas
Indiana
Iowa
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
West Virginia
1. Alaska
If moving closer to the great outdoors sounds appealing to you, nothing beats the rugged, beautiful landscape of Alaska. But with Alaska being so far away, you may wonder: How much does Alaska pay you to live there?
Simply put, Alaska needs people. So much so that new Alaskans will receive an annual dividend simply for living there for a full calendar year and intending on becoming a resident indefinitely. To see if your forever home is in Alaska, look up homes for sale in Alaska and Alaska rentals in popular cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Alaska has one of the longest running incentive programs in the country: the Permanent Fund Dividend. Passed into law in 1976, the dividend has been a hallmark of the state for decades. It has recently faced budget shortfalls, but remains foundational to the state.
If you’re still on the fence about living in Alaska, consider this: There’s no state tax, so you won’t have to pay any income or sales tax (local sales tax may apply though). Additionally, the median home price is low, at $381,000, compared to the national median price of $427,000. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by stunning scenery and wildlife and have access to incredible seafood and rich Native culture.
Initiative
Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
Benefits & Information
Variable, depending on what the state government approves each year. 2024’s dividend was $1,702 per person.
Program Requirements
To receive the PFD, you must:
Live in Alaska for a whole calendar year. Then, you can apply
Plan to live in Alaska exclusively and indefinitely after your first calendar year
How to Apply
Visit the PFD website and apply online between January 1-March 31 after you’re eligible. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can be approved.
2. Arkansas
Rolling rivers, massive forests, drifting plains, and decades of Civil Rights history make Arkansas a one-of-a-kind state to call home. Three cities in Arkansas want you to make the move: Texarkana, Fort Smith, and West Memphis. Each incentive package is worth over $10,000, with at least half of that purely cash. They’ll even throw in some outdoor gear to explore the area’s vast wilderness. The cities are fairly large in their own right, too, with distinct communities and plenty of amenities.
If calling Arkansas home has a nice ring to it, check out homes for sale or apartments for rent in Arkansas to see if your next dream home is available.
Initiatives
Various
Benefits & Information
Variable, but usually involves cash, meeting the mayor, college tuition discounts, extra bonuses for buying a home, and more.
Program Requirements
Requirements vary, but generally you must:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and be able to relocate while retaining current position (or be self-employed)
Earn at least $50,000-$100,000 per year
Currently reside outside of the city/county to which you’re applying
Can relocate within six months of being accepted
How to Apply
Visit MakeMyMove.com.
3. Indiana
Indiana has nearly 30 incentive programs encouraging renters and homebuyers to call the Hoosier State home. And with everything from major metros to remote farmland, there’s a reason so many people already do. The Indy500, Indiana Dunes National Park, and renowned universities are some of the many highlights.
Most of the communities offering incentives are located in the prairies of Eastern Indiana and hills of Southern Indiana. But others are suburbs of major metros. Noblesville, outside of Indianapolis, and towns in Floyd County, outside Louisville, are willing to dish out amenities worth $15,000 to qualifying applicants. Most other towns offer between $5,000-$8,000.
Initiatives
Various
Benefits & Information
Variable, but usually involves cash, dinner with the mayor, recreation passes, sports tickets, and more.
Program Requirements
Requirements vary, but generally you must:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and be able to relocate while retaining current position (or be self-employed)
Earn at least $50,000-$80,000 per year
Currently reside outside of the town/county to which you’re applying
Can relocate within six months of being accepted
How to Apply
Visit MakeMyMove.com.
4. Iowa
Iowa, a farming mecca known for its corn and affordability, is offering incentives for remote workers to take advantage of its quaint and friendly towns. Rural cities and counties across the state, from the town of Britt to Pocahontas County, are providing free land and cash for workers who can relocate. Most participating towns are small (fewer than 10,000 people) and located in beautiful, ambling Western Iowa.
Initiatives
Various
Benefits & Information
Variable, but usually involves cash, free land, movie tickets, doctor’s visits, and more.
Program Requirements
Requirements vary, but generally you must:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and be able to relocate while retaining current position (or be self-employed)
Earn at least $50,000 per year
Currently reside outside of the town/county to which you’re applying
Can relocate within six months of being accepted
How to Apply
Visit MakeMyMove.com.
5. Illinois
What’s not to love about Illinois? You have soaring Chicago and its unique culture, historic Springfield and its Old State Capitol, and miles of open prairies, all ripe with opportunity. Cold and snowy winters are an added bonus for some. So, why not give it a shot if the state will pay you to move?
Rural towns in Western and Southern Illinois are providing cash and free land to attract new residents. Places like Pittsfield, Jacksonville, and Grafton are offering up to $9,300 for homeowners or renters to settle down, so long as they have a remote job.
Initiatives
Various
Benefits & Information
Variable, but generally involves cash, free land, property tax rebates, memberships to exclusive recreation programs, and more
Program Requirements
Requirements vary, but generally you must:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and be able to relocate while retaining current position (or be self-employed)
Earn at least $50,000-$70,000 per year
Currently reside outside of the town/county to which you’re applying
Can relocate within six months of being accepted
How to Apply
Visit MakeMyMove.com.
6. Kansas
Notoriously flat and windy, Kansas is a hidden gem in the center of the country. Farming, sports, and recreation are top ticket items among its passionate residents – and the state wants to add you to the roster.
More than 15 cities and counties across the state are offering incentives ranging from cash, to student loan assistance, to acres of land. Most participating communities are located in Northwest Kansas, a rural area trying to boost its population. Oberlin, in Decatur County, offers the state’s largest incentive, worth up to $11,800 for relocating residents with a full-time job. Neodesha is offering the state’s newest incentive package, valued at $6,800.
Kansas has spent over a decade encouraging people to move to rural areas of the state, many of which have seen consistent population declines. But even large metros like Topeka are offering $10,000 for relocating. Take a look at homes for sale or rentals in Kansas to see what living in America’s Heartland could look like.
Initiatives
Various
Benefits & Information
Variable, but generally involves cash incentives, down-payment assistance, recreation passes, student loan repayment, and more.
Program Requirements
Requirements vary, but generally you must:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and be able to relocate while retaining current position (or be self-employed)
Earn at least $50,000 per year
Currently reside outside of the county/region to which you’re applying
Can relocate within six months to a year of being accepted
How to Apply
Visit MakeMyMove.com.
7. Kentucky
Kentucky produces corn, soybeans, and 95% of the world’s bourbon, with no sign of slowing down. However, it’s famous for much more than just agriculture; horse racing, Southern cuisine, and Bluegrass music are favorites.
Communities across Kentucky are offering incentives for residents to relocate and enjoy everything the state has to offer. Most are located in rural parts of the Commonwealth, like Eastern and Southwestern Kentucky. Mayfield, to the west, advertises the largest package, worth around $8,800, while many Appalachian towns in the east offer incentives worth $5,250. In total, there are more than ten incentives for people to choose from.
Initiatives
Various
Benefits & Information
Variable, but generally involves cash, moving assistance, recreation passes, tax breaks, music lessons, lunch with the mayor, and more.
Program Requirements
Requirements vary, but generally you must:
Be 18 years or older
Work full-time and be able to relocate while retaining current position (or be self-employed)
Earn $60,0000-$100,000 per year
Currently reside outside of Kentucky
Can relocate within six months to a year of being accepted
How to Apply
Visit MakeMyMove.com.
8. West Virginia
Famous for more than just its “country roads,” West Virginia offers one of the most lucrative programs to attract new residents to the state. The moving incentive is called Ascend West Virginia, and they’re currently accepting applications from people who want to get paid to move. The program is worth $12,000 and focuses on the Greenbrier Valley, Morgantown, Elkins, Eastern Panhandle, and New River Gorge communities.
In addition to a huge chunk of change, new transplants can also receive outdoor recreational equipment along with other benefits to sweeten the pot. With a median sale price well below the national average, at $246,000, housing in West Virginia is affordable even without receiving the money to move there.
This program is quite popular, so get a head start on some house or apartment hunting by scoping out West Virginia rentals and homes for sale in West Virginia before applications fill up.
Initiative
Ascend West Virginia
Benefits & Information
If you qualify for Ascend West Virginia, you can expect to receive up to $12,000 cash, plus other benefits such as free outdoor recreational equipment, professional development opportunities, and co-working space.
The total package offered by Ascend West Virginia is valued at $20,000.
Program Requirements
You’ll have to meet some requirements to apply for Ascend WV. You must:
Be 18 years of age or older
Work remotely, full-time at a verifiable employer based outside of West Virginia (or be self-employed)
Provide a full year’s proof of income
Be able to relocate to the areas as designated by the Ascend WV Program within six months of being accepted
How to Apply
Head to the Ascend West Virginia website.
Final thoughts
With the option to work remotely still a possibility for many people, many states are upping the game and offering enticing financial incentives for people looking to relocate. If you’re a remote worker moving out of state or looking for a fresh start and new job, you may find that moving to one of these places could be a decision that pays off – literally. And with the lower cost of living and median home prices in many of these cities, you’ll likely gain many more economic benefits in addition to the money you receive for moving.
There are dozens of other offers and incentives for people willing to relocate, but most require specific education or other requirements. Visit MakeMyMove to see a full list.
Disclaimer: Program details and housing data as of February 2025. This article is for informational purposes only. Redfin does not endorse any of the programs mentioned. Redfin strongly recommends that consumers make informed decisions and independently verify that a state, city, or financial offering will meet their needs.
