There are a host of relocation deals on offer across the country aimed at attracting newcomers by paying them to move there.
House hunters have been hesitant to take the plunge because sale prices are still near record highs, according to Redfin.
Pending home sales are down 5.7 percent year-over-year and mortgage-purchase applications are down 15 percent.
However, some cities are looking to attract buyers by offering cash incentives to bring in new residents.
‘Not only would cash compensation help such households get their foot in the door of the housing market, many of the places offering such incentives also happen to have relatively low home prices,’ said Realtor.com senior economist Ralph McLaughlin.
Cities across the U.S. – including several in West Virginia (pictured) – are offering cash incentives to relocate
‘The double bonus of a cash subsidy combined with lower home prices could be quite attractive to households that have little personal or professional costs associated with cutting physical ties from their current location,’ McLaughlin said.
Here are the cities across the U.S. that will pay you to move there…
Rochester, New York
The Greater ROC Relocate program offers up to $9,000 in grants for buying a home in the area and up for $10,000 for people in specific career fields.
Started in 2022, the program has drawn some 25-30 participants to the nine-county region each year.
Barbara Egenhofer, Director of Talent Strategy at Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, said the goal of the initiative is to bring in about 600 participants over three years, enticing them with the chance to work in a city on the up-and-up.
The Greater ROC Relocate program offers up to $9,000 in grants for purchasing a home in the region and up for $10,000 for people in specific career fields
‘The shift to remote work over the past two years has created new opportunities for places like Greater Rochester,’ she said of the concept.
‘Regions like ours that offer high quality of life and big-city amenities without the big-city costs can compete for talent in new ways. Innovative programs like Greater ROC Remote can absolutely help us move the needle and grow our labor pool.’
To be eligible, applicants must live more than 300 miles from downtown Rochester or in any other state except New York, have a fully remote job, and be 18 years or older.
Applicants who have interviewed are also eligible to visit Rochester in person, with expenses up to $500 (and $750 for a couple) reimbursable.
Jacksonville, Illinois
This Illinois region offers a perk-packed incentive package worth $9,300 to move, according to MakeMyMove.
New residents will receive $5,000 in cash after there first year and other benefits include $300 in ‘Chamber Checks’ from the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Three months of fiber broadband service, a complimentary teeth-whitening package, a one-year driving range pass and a three-month gym membership are also on the table.
New residents to Jacksonville, Illinois can receive a perk-packed incentive package worth $9,300 to move
‘Our communities, centrally located in Illinois, offer small-town charm, as well as big-city amenities,’ Kristin Jamison, president of the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corp., told Realtor.com.
‘We launched this program in late May 2024, and I’ve been impressed by the positive reception. So far, 200 people have applied, and we’ve made offers to five professionals.’
Eligible candidates must be 18 years or older, earn at least $50,000, live 70 miles outside of Jacksonville at the time of application, and move within six months of acceptance.
Topeka, Kansas
Choose Topeka offers applicant incentives of up to $15,000 to move to the Sunflower State.
It offers those willing to take a job in the city $10,000 in funds for rent and up to $15,000 for a home purchase.
Moreover, those transitioning out of the military and former Topeka residents will be provided with $5,000 if they accept a job that pays at least $50,000 a year – the minimum time required for a stay.
Choose Topeka offers applicant incentives of up to $15,000 to move to the Sunflower State
‘People love how accessible and friendly our community is. With around 175,000 residents in Topeka, the city is very easy to navigate,’ said Robert Ross, the senior vice president of marketing and communications the economic development agency that administers the program.
‘Recipients quickly learn that “Midwest nice” is a way of life.’
Eligibility requirements include confirming your new employer participates in the incentive program, participating in a Choose Topeka Immersion program and completing a survey after one year.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Sooner State is looking to bringing in remote workers by offering them $10,000 for rent or to purchase a home through the Tulsa Remote program.
Since the program’s start in 2018, over 3,000 people have been accepted – generating more than $300 million for the city’s rapidly growing job market.
Tulsa is looking to bringing in remote workers by offering them $10,000 for rent or to purchase a home
Recipients will also receive 36-month free membership to a co-working space, wellness resources, and access to a calendar of community events.
‘We have also seen a strong multiplier effect of friends and family joining members in Tulsa, with the city gaining three residents for every two Tulsa Remote program participants,’ Tulsa Remote Managing Director Justin Harlan said.
As is the case with several of the others, applicants must be at least 18 years old and must relocate to Tulsa within 12 months of approval. They also need to have lived outside of Oklahoma for at least a year.
Multiple cities, West Virginia
The Ascend West Virginia program offers $12,000 to remote workers who move to the Mountain State.
Cities such as Morgantown and Greenbrier Valley offer additional incentives that bring the total up to $20,000.
Outdoorsy perks like whitewater rafting, golf, rock climbing, horseback riding and even skiing round out the rest of the package – offered in the form of free passes provided upon relocation.
The Ascend West Virginia program offers $12,000 to remote workers who move to the Mountain State, plus additional cities have extra cash offers
‘You couldn’t ask for a more small-town charm with amazing music and vibrancy and an incredible recreation scene,’ said Brad D. Smith, the program’s founder and current president of Marshall University.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and already have a full-time remote job to qualify for the program.
If selected, participants will receive $10,000 over their first year paid in monthly installments. Then they will receive $2,000 after completing their second year in West Virginia.
