Top 9 States That Pay You to Move There

Have you ever wanted to just get away? Try somewhere new? Then you looked at how much it would cost to get settled and your brain slumped back down into its mental chair. 

Years ago, even the concept of remote work was foreign. As someone who has done it for nearly two decades, I remember how difficult things could be with taxes, housing, employment records. Now, (two decades later) I can print what look like traditional employment records from places like Upwork, get a real remote worker tourist visa (not stuck with the 90-day move on a tourist visa), and even get paid to move to a new place. 

So, where are the best states that actually pay you to move there?

Top states that pay you to move there include:

1. Alaska
2. Oklahoma
3. Kansas
4. Illinois
5. Indiana
6. Minnesota
7. Kentucky
8. West Virginia
9. Alabama

Oklahoma: The Tulsa Remote Program

Let’s start with Oklahoma. When I lived on the East Coast, I didn’t think much of states like Oklahoma. and then I moved there and realized it had almost the same climate and rolling hills as states like New York (and the same thunderstorms and humidity, but hey, we can’t have everything).

I remember a friend asking me how beautiful New York state was and I looked around while we were in Oklahoma and said it was just as beautiful as right here. 

That said, Tulsa, Oklahoma offers what is called the Tulsa Remote program. Since 2018, Tulsa has started paying people $10,000 to relocate. It is run by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which not only supplies money but resources to connect you to things in the community like housing. 

Now, the money doesn’t come all at once; it gets disbursed throughout the first year you live in Tulsa. 

They also don’t give it to just anyone; you have to apply first and they typically focus on those who are remote working for companies in other states.

Alaska: Permanent Fund Dividend

Alaska is by far the most beautiful state I’ve ever been to, an outdoor haven for anyone with remote interest in nature. So if you think the grass is greener on the other side (of Canada) you are right. 

Alaska offers the Permanent Fund Dividend which provides people who move with a varying amount of money each year. If you move to somewhere like Ketchikan (I grew up pronouncing it “Ketchup Town”) then you also get a bonus three months of free internet. 

To be clear, this fund isn’t technically money that Alaska pays you to move there, but rather, money that all residents of Alaska (once you move there) are entitled to. It is based on the state’s oil revenue and given to everyone who lives in the state for a full year with the intention to stay. 

Alabama: Remote Shoals

If you prefer seafood and the Gulf Coast over mountains of snow and freezing weather, Alabama offers the Remote Shoals program. Alabama will pay you to move there if you work from the Shoals area. 

Much like Oklahoma, this program was launched in 2019 owing to the higher rates of remote workers during lockdown. Anyone willing to move to the shoals region of Alabama received $10,000. Since that time the program continues to pay you to move to this beautiful hidden gem. 

The Shoals is an area right in between Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, and Birmingham, just a one-hour flight to Charlotte and a 2-hour drive to any of those major cities. But perhaps more important is the low cost of living in the area with median house prices hovering around $200,000 and a very welcoming community that offers greater incentives beyond $10,000 which, given the cost of living, will go a lot further compared to other states. 

Kansas: Choose Topeka

Speaking of low cost of living, Topeka, Kansas has single family homes averaging $125,000 with a cost of living 10% lower than elsewhere. As such, the Choose Topeka program can be a very attractive offer. This program offers up to $15,000 in incentive to move there. 

Indiana: Noblesville Remote Worker Attraction Program

Indiana has partnered with the company MakeMyMove to pay you to move to Noblesville. The benefits here include a $5,000 relocation grant. They say that the program gives qualifying participants $15,000 to move, but the other $10,000 of that comes in perks like:

1. A one-year membership to the Conner Prairie museum
2. A one-year membership to the Chamber of Commerce
3. A chance to meet the mayor
4. A parks pass
5. A golf course pass
6. An aquatic center pass
7. A health and wellness stipend of $500
8. Discounts at local restaurants

This is one of the few places though that not only has an age restriction but an earnings restriction. To be eligible you have to make at least $80,000 annually.

However, whereas some of the other states that pay you to move there focus on remote workers of large companies, Indiana focuses on any full-time self-employed individuals or remote workers so if you work for yourself this is a great opportunity. 

Illinois: Move to Mattoon

Illinois offers the Move to Mattoon program, another program in partnership with MakeMyMove. This offers nearly $12,000 in total benefits for those who are approved starting with $5,000 in cash to cover your moving expenses, and including over $2,500 in gift cards to local businesses, memberships, and a $500 voucher for local restaurants. You get some of the same things as other states, too, like:

1. One year of free coworking space
2. Six months of free YMCA family membership
3. Six months of free internet
4. Six months of free self–storage

This program is expanding and will soon be offering to pay you to move there if you are a manufacturing worker. They need skilled labor and are currently working on similar relocation programs for those in the manufacturing industry.

Kentucky: Paducah Remote Workers Incentive Program

The Bluegrass State offers the Paducah Remote Workers Incentive Program, where qualifying individuals can receive up to $2,500 reimbursement for moving expenses. “Moving expenses” can extend to the:

1. Cost of moving trucks or hiring movers
2. Buying moving materials
3. Putting a downpayment on a house
4. Renter’s deposit

In addition to that, they give you up to $70 per month reimbursement for 12 months for your internet service. The city normally charges a 2% city tax on payroll which is waived for the first year.

You also get your hands on a quality of life package which includes nearly $2,000 worth of things like:

1. Memberships
2. Training
3. Tickets and passes

All of these benefits come from organizations and companies within the community.

West Virginia: Ascend

West Virginia’s Ascend program will pay you to move, with things like free outdoor gear rentals, free outdoor recreation costs, and $12,000 in relocation funds. There are five different communities to choose from such as the mountain town of Greater Elkins or the newest National Park of New River Gorge, or the college town of Morgantown. 

This is one of the only states that will not only pay you to move there but gives you options in terms of which city you want to live in once you move. 

Minnesota: Remote Worker Relocation Program for Bemidji

Bemidji, Minnesota offers their Remote Worker Relocation Program. This program will reimburse you up to $2,500 for qualifying moving expenses and that includes things like moving company costs, setting up your home office, or even paying for the remainder of your high-speed internet. 

Other benefits include the following:

1. Six months of internet through the approved provider (with a one year contract) saving you almost $600. 
2. A one year membership to a co-working space within the MayFlower Building, saving you about $1,500.
3. Free access to their community program.
4. One year access to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce
5. Teleworking support

The “Why”

So why do these states pay you to move there? There are many reasons primarily to help boost economic activity in certain communities, foster a spirit of entrepreneurship, and offset things like population decline. 

It is absolutely a win-win to take advantage of these pay to move programs if you are already interested in trying a new location for your work from home duties. If, for example, you love fishing and Southern barbecue, getting paid to relocate to Alabama might be a dream come true just the same as people who love hiking and fishing might jump at the opportunity to be paid to relocate to Alaska. 

Now moving to another state, even if you’re being paid to, is a huge task, and even if the costs of moving are being covered, I always consider it a best practice to run everything through a moving cost calculator beforehand. This can help you plan and stick to a budget, and organisation is key especially with such a big move!  

Requirements

Each of these states will pay you to move there, but with certain restrictions. 

Start with an Application

You have to start by filling out an application. The restrictions for places like Alabama are that you are 18 years old and legally permitted to work in the United States. For Oklahoma, it has to be someone who lives in a different state. For Kentucky, you have to be 21 and you have to currently live only 100 miles outside the city limits.

Know Your Requirements

If you are approved for the programs after submitting your application, each program has different restrictions. 

The Paducah Program, for example, requires that once you receive approval you relocate to within the city within 3 months, and you stay there for at least one year beyond the initial 12 months you receive the benefits from the program. 

Alaska requires that you live in the state at least one year with the intention to continue to reside in the state to qualify as well. 

Minnesota requires that you live at least 60 miles away from the Bemidji area, and agree to things like the one year Internet contract through Paul Bunyan Communications and to complete your employment duties at your home office or in a co-working space like the one provided.

Final Tip

Once you start your application, don’t forget to use a moving calculator. MoveBuddha can help you review how much it would cost to move from where you are to any of these top states. As each state has a different level of compensation for the actual move, it’s good to know what your costs will be out of pocket. Many states also have reimbursement specifically for things like moving expenses and supplies so a moving calculator can help you determine the exact number of boxes you need.