6 Cities and States That Pay You To Move There (Because Who Wouldn’t Want That?)

The message is clear: Americans are willing to pack up and relocate for a better quality of life. But “quality of life” can mean a lot of different things. For some, it’s trading a crowded city for the wide open countryside. For others, it’s finally moving away from a small hometown and trying out a new, exciting locale. For lots of people, though, a “higher quality of life” equals more cash in their pockets. And, states that pay you to move there are helping make that goal possible by not only incentivizing people to relocate but also providing a stipend to continue living there. Sound too good to be true? It’s not — usually! To learn more, let’s take a closer look at places that pay you to live there.

6 Places That Pay You To Live There in 2026

How do you even begin searching for places that pay you to live there, though? We’ve put together some top options. Some offer financial incentives directly, while other states that pay you to move there offset costs through tax rebates or homebuyer grants. Each program has unique requirements, from remote work agreements to duration minimums. Ultimately, these initiatives represent a powerful shift in how communities attract new residents, turning the dream of a subsidized fresh start into a tangible reality.

If you're looking for a fresh start in a welcoming community, West Memphis, Arkansas, might be exactly what you need.
(Source: City of West Memphis via Facebook)

1. West Memphis, Arkansas (up to $10,400 in Incentives)

Program:

• Start Fresh in West Memphis

Incentives:

• $5,000 cash for relocation if renting OR $10,000 cash for homeowners
• Welcome meal with Mayor McClendon
• Two-night stay at the Southland Casino Hotel

Requirements:

• Employed full-time or self-employed, with the ability to work remotely from West Memphis
• Earn at least $75,000 annually
• Currently live outside of West Memphis
• Relocate primary residence to West Memphis within 6 months

Application Process:

• Apply on MakeMyMove

If you're looking for a fresh start in a welcoming community, West Memphis, Arkansas, might be exactly what you need. West Memphis delivers the perfect mix of small-town life and big-city proximity, plus it’s known for its low cost of living, friendly neighbors, and abundant opportunities to explore everything from local rivers to scenic trails. If West Memphis isn’t your scene, though, Arkansas is one of the states that pay you to move there, offering incentives for Fort Smith and Texarkana (more on that in a minute) as well.

Through the MakeMyMove program, West Memphis is rolling out the red carpet for remote workers and entrepreneurs. Designed to attract talent and build stronger local economies, the program offers financial incentives and relocation perks for qualified individuals who choose to make West Memphis their new home. Whether you're a remote worker, a freelancer, or someone with a business idea, you could get paid to move while enjoying an affordable and enriching lifestyle. How affordable, you ask? Here’s a quick overview of the cost of living in West Memphis.

Living in West Memphis — at a Glance:

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $625
• Average home value: $122,900
• Cost of living: 75.9
• Great for: Riverfront living, small-town charm, affordable lifestyle, friendly neighbors

Alaska is one of the top places that pay you to live there. All you have to do is remain in the state for an entire calendar year!

2. Alaska (up to $3,650 in Tax Incentives)

Program:

• Permanent Fund Dividend

Incentives:

• Up to $3,650 in tax incentives (but the amount is still TBD)
• No state income tax

Requirements:

• Remain in Alaska for an entire calendar year

Application Process:

• Apply through the myAlaska portal

With a terrain and lifestyle unlike anywhere else in the continental U.S., making the investment in moving to Alaska might just pay for itself in the long run. Do you get paid to live in Alaska, though?

In short, yes. Alaska’s incentive program dates back to 1976, and it’s called the Permanent Fund Dividend. How much do you get paid to live in Alaska? In the past, citizens have qualified for up to $1,600 for simply living in the state. And while the proposed dividend amount for 2026 is just over $3,600, 2025 residents only received $1,000, the smallest amount granted since the program’s inception when adjusted for inflation. Does Alaska pay you to live there if you aren’t employed? Yes, this incentive is not dependent on employment. All you have to do to receive this grant is remain in the state for an entire calendar year! Added bonus? Alaska has no state income tax. Of course, it’s important to also consider the day-to-day costs of living, so keep that in mind.

Living in Alaska — at a Glance

• Average rent (all sizes): $1,800
• Average home value: $376,300
• Cost of living: 116.5
• Great for: Sunsets, unique landscape, easy access to nature, history

Choosing Topeka, Kansas, as your new home city could mean $15,000 in your pocket.

3. Topeka, Kansas (up to $15,000 in Incentives)

Program:

• Choose Topeka

Incentives:

• Up to $10K in funds for renting in the first year, up to $15K in funds for home purchase

Requirements:

• Move to Topeka for full-time employment
• Purchase/rent a home within Shawnee County within 12 months of move
• Employer must participate in matching funds

Application Process:

• Submit an application here

• Your employer must notify GO Topeka of your application for the program and be willing to fund it. After the first year, your employer must submit for reimbursement.

Choosing Topeka, Kansas, as your new home city and state could mean $15,000 in your pocket. The fund is specifically for Shawnee County, but unlike other incentive programs, this one can work for both remote and on-site jobs.

For on-site jobs, your employer has to be willing to participate in a relocation incentive, you have to move to Topeka, and you have to purchase or rent a home within one year of your hire or move. But with this route? You can receive up to $10,000 for renting or up to $15,000 for purchasing a home.

If you’re a remote employee, your employer must be located outside of Shawnee County, and it’s limited to one per household. There’s a minimum three-month waiting period for the incentive, but after that, you’re eligible for $5,000 for renting a home, or up to $10,000 for purchasing a home. How much will $5,000 help with your rent? How far will $10,000 go toward a home downpayment? Here’s some info:

Living in Topeka — at a Glance

• Median rent (one-bedroom): $700
• Average home value: $184,000
• Cost of living: 80
• Great for: Nice neighbors, sunsets, nature

If you’re looking to live for a fraction of the cost of other large cities, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a great option

4. Tulsa, Oklahoma (up to $10,000 in Incentives)

Program:

• Tulsa Remote

Incentives:

• $10,000 grant
• 36-month membership to local coworking space
• Help with your home search

Requirements:

• Full-time remote worker or entrepreneur
• At least 18 years old
• Able to relocate within 12 months of being accepted

Application Process:

• Submit an application here
• 30-minute trial interview
• Final decision made within two weeks of interview
• Once approved, you’ll have a 12-month window to move

If you’re looking to live for a fraction of the cost of other large cities, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a great option — and it’s one of the places that pay you to live there! The Tulsa Remote plan was initially launched in 2018, offers $10,000 grants to eligible remote workers or entrepreneurs, and has helped 3,500 remote workers to date. If you’re chosen for the grant, you’ll also receive a 36-month membership to a local coworking space, wellness resources, and community-building events and meetups to help you engage with your new neighbors.

To qualify for the initiative, you have to be at least 18 years old, working remotely full-time (self-employment works, too), and you have to be able to relocate within 12 months of acceptance. Want to see how that grant will affect your budget? Here are some average costs associated with life in Tulsa.

Living in Tulsa — at a Glance

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $900
• Average home value: $210,900
• Cost of living: 85.3
• Great for: Nature, great food, higher education, diversity

Texarkana, a community on the Arkansas/Texas border, is making a major play to become a top destination for remote workers.

5. Texarkana, Texas (up to $18,000 in Incentives)

Program:

• Call Texarkana Home

Incentives:

• $5,000 cash relocation grant
• 25% off tuition at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, plus a free first class
• Professional and educational benefits
• Wellness and lifestyle discounts and resources

Requirements:

• Employed full-time or self-employed, with the ability to work remotely from the Texarkana region.
• Annual income of at least $60,000.
• Current residence outside of Arkansas, or at least 75 miles outside of Texarkana if applying from Texas.
• Able to relocate primary residence to Bowie County, TX, or Miller County, AR, within 6 months.

Application Process:

• Apply on MakeMyMove

Texarkana, a community on the Arkansas/Texas border, is making a major play to become a top destination for remote workers by offering more than just Southern charm and affordable living. In 2024, it was even named one of America’s Most Welcoming Places for its strategic efforts to attract new residents.

The big draw? A total incentive package valued at over $18,000, featuring a $5,000 cash grant for moving, tuition discounts, and access to local leadership and arts networks. What sets this incentive package apart from other states that pay you to move there is the emphasis on higher education. Texarkana is not only one of the places that pay you to live there, but the community also supports workers who want to further their career through four-year programs or vocational and professional development.

With over 6,800 applicants already, the program’s unique dual-state appeal — letting you choose between income tax-free Texas or affordable Arkansas — allows newcomers to make decisions that best align with their financial goals.

Living in Texarkana — at a Glance

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $925
• Average home value: $189,400
• Cost of living: 76.9
• Great for: Professional development, history, arts, small-town energy

West Virginia is one of the more nature-enriched states that pay you to move there, and you’ll see the evidence the second you step outside.

6. West Virginia ($12,000 Incentive)

Program:

• Ascend West Virginia

Incentives:

• $12,000 payment
• Free outdoor activities and gear rentals for 12 months
• Free coworking space
• Social programming
• Professional developments and entrepreneurial assistance

Requirements:

• Full-time remote worker or entrepreneur
• Must verify employment with a company outside of WV
• At least 18 years old

Application Process:

• Submit an application here
• If selected, participate in a virtual interview
• From there, final selections are made

With a cost of living lower than the national average index of 100, plus housing that costs less than half the national average, West Virginia can give you great bang for your buck. Add to that the potential incentives you stand to gain as a remote worker, and you might just find it’s your perfect place to call home.

Ascend West Virginia provides $12,000 payments, free coworking space, and access to free outdoor recreation, among other incentives. If you qualify, $10,000 will be paid out in installments over your first year of living there. If you stay a second year, you’ll have that extra $2,000 in your pocket. And on top of that, you’ll have access to free activities and gear rentals (think ziplines, rafting, golfing, climbing, and even off-road excursions). Basically, whether you feel like paddleboarding or biking down a mountain trail, you’ll be able to do it.

To qualify, you must be 18 years old with a full-time job or self-employment and the ability to work from home through a company outside the state. You’ll also have to move to your new state within six months of acceptance. So, how far does $12,000 go in West Virginia?

Living in West Virginia — at a Glance

• Average rent (all sizes): $1,200
• Average home value: $168,300
• Cost of living: 79.4
• Great for: Nature, low cost of living, history, small towns, four seasons

Pack and load on your own time with a PODS moving container delivered right to your driveway.

States That Pay You To Move There: Too Good To Be True?

Yes, states may claim to be places that pay you to live there, but are the programs real? Do your homework to avoid scams. If a deal checks out, it could be worth it. Start your search at MakeMyMove.com, which lists verified relocation incentives for remote workers.

Before you dive in, get clear on why you’re moving. Ask yourself:

• Why leave your current state?
• What do you want your new life to look like?
• What do you love (and hate) about where you live now?
• Are you after a change of pace, scenery, or both?
• What’s your timeline and budget?

• How will you handle the move?

Your honest answers will point you to the right place and help you budget for your relocation to one of the states that pay you to move there, if you so choose.

Cities and States That Pay You To Move There — FAQs

Q: Where can I move to and get paid to live there?
A: Alaska has one of the longest-running annual incentive programs in the country. Do you get paid to live in Alaska? Yes. The Permanent Dividend Fund pays out after you relocate. How much do you get paid to live in Alaska? The amount varies by year, but for 2025, the payment was $1,000 (it’s expected to be higher in 2026).

Q: What state is paying $20,000 to move there?
A: As of 2026, there are no states that pay you to move there for a flat $20,000. Many people ask if West Virginia is offering $20,000 to new residents. While the state does pay for relocation, Ascend West Virginia only offers $12,000 to move to the state. You’ll also gain free outdoor recreation, like whitewater rafting and skiing, and access to a coworking space (which adds value to the package itself, so you end up with more than $12,000 after it’s all said and done).

Q: What states pay you the most to move there?
A: On this list, the two states that pay you to move there that offer the most money are Kansas and West Virginia. The city of Topeka, Kansas, could have a $15,000 grant with your name on it, and Ascend West Virginia offers $12,000 to relocators. Texarkana offers a relocation package worth up to $18,000 in total benefits, but a lump sum of $5,000 cash.

Ready To Relocate to States That Pay You To Move There?

Now that you know about states that pay you to move there, are you ready to take the leap? Make your move to a new city a flexible one with PODS portable moving containers. One month’s storage is included in the cost of every move, so you can load and unload according to your timeline. Need some help with your bigger items? PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services to help with the heavy lifting. What’s easier than that? (Except maybe accepting payment to move to an exciting, new place.)

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Kat Piccolo is a St. Petersburg-based freelance writer whose only roommate is their cat. A frequent PODS Blog contributor, Kat loves finding ways to make moving into new spaces simple and stress-free. Between yearly apartment hopping, you can find them on the waterfront or experimenting with new ways to make coffee.

Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe, Zumper, and Zillow; average home values were obtained from Zillow; median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin; and cost of living scores were obtained from BestPlaces. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}