15 Places That Will Actually Pay You To Move There In 2021

That feeling when you're so sick of your apartment that you're ready to pack up and leave town.

All of these offers are current as of publication. The coronavirus pandemic is still impacting travel and destinations around the world have different COVID-19 restrictions in place. It’s important to check and adhere to local government policies as you're planning any future trips.

1. Get $1,000 a year to chill in Alaska's natural beauty.

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It doesn’t matter where in Alaska you move; if you settle down for a full year, you’ll be eligible for an annual $1,000 incentive thanks to the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). Alaska may be a wild place to live — hello bears, icebergs, and wild snowstorms — but it’s also incredibly beautiful. Where else in the US can you watch the Northern Lights from a kayak or witness a whale breaching from your porch?

And just so you know, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Alaska is just under $1,000.

2. Start your business in Ireland and get up to $208,000 in support.

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If you’ve been working on plans for a startup that has an international focus and the potential to employ at least 10 people and bring in over a million dollars, you might want to consider starting your business in Ireland (it can be in Dublin or any other city). The country’s Enterprise Ireland program is willing to offer up some serious money to successful applicants; in 2018, startups received over 174,000 euros (over $208,000) in support on average — in addition to mentorship, office support, and business plan assistance.

3. If you're dreaming of taking on a serious home renovation project, a home in Buffalo, New York, only costs $1.

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The decades-old Urban Homestead Program in Buffalo is still offering up open lots and homes in need of renovation for just $1 (MakeMyMove calculates an incentive value of $2,500). That means, if you qualify, you could end up owning a home for less than the price of a Sausage McMuffin. Really.

Just keep in mind that if you buy one of these homes, you’ll need to pay for and complete repairs within 18 months (which can be a lot of work). And if you’re interested in buying a vacant lot and building your own home, you’ll have to finish building within 12 months. Either way, you’re required to call Buffalo home for at least three years, which shouldn’t be too hard once you discover the uber-hip Misuta Chow's, find the waterfront, and figure out Niagara Falls is just 25 minutes away.

4. Enjoy working remotely from the sandy shores of Waikiki Beach with a $2,500 incentive.

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Ever dreamed of living on a balmy island but aren't sure how to make it a reality? Hawaii’s new Movers & Shakas Program is making taking the leap easier than ever and you only have to commit to 30 days (but I'm guessing you'll want to stay longer). All you have to do is have a remote job and get accepted, and the state will pay for round-trip tickets, a free coworking space, and programs to connect you to the island and community. MakeMyMove valued the incentive at $2,500.

Just keep in mind that the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom was around $1,600 in late 2019.

5. Get up to $15,660 in tax rebate or student loan reimbursements while living it up New England–style on the coast of Maine.

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It doesn't matter where you move in Maine — psst, Kennebunkport is hard to beat — because this relocation incentive applies to the entire state. If you graduated college after 2008 and are willing to live in Maine for the full tax year, the state will hook you up — in the form of a tax rebate for the entirety of your State of Maine taxes or a reimbursement of your student loan payments valued by MakeMyMove to be $15,660 in value. Yes, you read that right.

There are several requirements but if you fit the bill and are interested in moving, you might be able to say goodbye to debt and hello to a life of coastal living, skiing, and, of course, lobster. Just keep in mind that if you settle in a resort town like Kennebunkport, you'll have to pay resort town prices. The typical home value is $681,899.

6. Move to this adorable tiny town in Switzerland for $27,000 — or more.

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This hillside Swiss village in the Alps is just as quaint as you imagine. It has its own ski area and is less than two hours from the Italian border and under three hours from Geneva. But in addition to clean air and the slow pace of village life, Albinen is willing to give money to individuals who want to build a home or live in the village for at least 10 years. The incentive includes 25,000 CHf (over $27,000) for an individual, 50,000 CHf (over $54,000) for couples, and an additional 10,000 CHf (over $10,800) per child. Fair warning: A lot of the fine print is in German.

7. Get $15,000 toward a home purchase (and a boatload of free sandwiches, too) in Topeka, Kansas.

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The city of Topeka is rich in history; it’s where Brown v. Board of Education (the 1954 Supreme Court decision to end racial segregation in schools) went down and there are tons of beautiful old buildings and historic neighborhoods. If you're planning to get a job in Topeka, the city will pay you $15,000 toward a home purchase or $10,000 toward your rent. If you’re a remote worker looking to relocate, you can get $10,000 toward a Topeka home purchase or $5,000 toward your rental living costs. That money can go a long way in Topeka, where the 2019 fair market rent was under $600.

And if you relocate into one of Jimmy John’s three Topeka sandwich delivery zones you get a $1,000 Jimmy John’s credit. Sandwiches for life!

8. Build your dream home in scenic Ontario, Oregon, and get $10,000 in cash.

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If you’ve dreamed of building your dream home but aren’t sure where you want to live, you might want to consider Ontario, Oregon. It's a city that sits right on the Snake River with rafting, fishing, and kayaking, and is near the impressive Lake Owyhee State Park (home to bighorn sheep). All you have to do to make this new lifestyle a reality — and claim $10,000 in cash — is build your dream home in Ontario. Just keep in mind that the area's lots can vary in cost — currently from $39,000 to $135,000.

9. You'll be handed $2,000 if you work in tech and relocate to Savannah, Georgia.

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If you work in tech, all you have to do is make the move to the lovely city of Savannah — home to antebellum architecture and manicured parks with Spanish moss–covered oak trees — and you’ll be given up to $2,000 for moving expenses. (Just keep in mind, average rent for a one-bedroom is around $1,000 a month.)

Once you arrive in this Southern city, get ready to explore the myriad waterways, islands, wildlife refuges, and the stunning Atlantic coastline.

10. Build your startup in Chile and get up to $35,000 in support.

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If you’re an entrepreneur with a solid business idea, you might be able to move to Chile and get extra help starting your company (and it doesn't have to be in Santiago). For years, Start-Up Chile has been helping launch early-stage entrepreneurs through a program that offers up 25 million pesos (that’s over $35,000) — in addition to mentoring, pitch training, and workshops — for people willing to relocate to Chile for a six-month program. Not ready to leave after the program is over? Not to worry, applicants also get a one-year work visa so they can grow their business from Chile (and travel around Patagonia — why not?).

11. Work remotely from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, and get a $5,000 stipend.

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Ever miss the buzz and brilliance of a college campus? This unique relocation program through Purdue University is awarding five remote workers with a $5,000 stipend, access to Purdue facilities, housing help, and a discounted coworking space. When you’re not reliving your college years (or enjoying them for the first time), you can cruise to Indianapolis (one hour by car), grab a beer at People’s Brewing Company, or spend the weekend in Chicago (two hours by car).

12. Hang out with Paul Bunyan in Bemidji, Minnesota and get $2,500 and a one-year coworking membership.

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This city made the cut because a) it sits at the headwaters of the Mississippi River and is surrounded by parks, lakes and waterways, and b.) it’s where the legendary Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox Statues are found. How’s that for bragging rights? The city is also offering remote workers $2,500 in relocation expenses and a one-year coworking membership (valued at $1,500), in addition to networking events and telecommuting support. Sign me up.

13. Earn $5,000 just for buying a home in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Baltimore has it all: big city appeal, proximity to the water, easy access to Washington, DC (like just 30 minutes by train). And if you’re considering buying a home there, the city wants to make it easy on you. All you have to do is attend the Live Baltimore Trolley Tour, a home and local neighborhood tour, then throw your name into the hat for 1 of the 20 home-buying incentive awards of $5,000.

14. Get $10,000 in cash for moving your home office to a cool coworking space in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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Tulsa is on the up-and-up, thanks in part to its Tulsa Remote program, which gives people with a full-time remote job (or those who are self-employed outside of the state) $10,000 in cash and desk space at a local coworking company. Plus, they go the extra mile to make you feel at home with events and meetups so you can get to know locals and connect with organizations. Before you know it, you’ll be checking out the city’s art deco architecture or picnicking on the east bank of the Arkansas with your new crew.

And FYI, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom in Tulsa is currently around $645.

15. And move your home office to the charming little town of Britt, Iowa, and get a free lot, valued at $10,000.

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Britt is a tiny town (under 2,000 people) but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with personality. That's perhaps best illustrated by the National Hobo Convention (aka Britt Hobo Days), an annual event that celebrates migratory American workers — with a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, and the anticipated election of the king and queen of the hobos. If your very own chance at winning the crown doesn’t get you excited, maybe the fact that Britt is offering a free lot to qualified remote workers will (an incentive valued at $10,000 by MakeMyMove).

Where would you choose to move? Tell us what you think in the comments!

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