With Americans still looking to relocate after the pandemic allowed more freedom from the office, some cities and states are looking to sweeten the pot, offering as much as 15K to those who move there.
According to a report from CNN, which cited MakeMyMove.com, more than 50,000 people applied for programs in several cities and states that have been put in place to entice new residents.
The online broker claimed that those who end up moving save an average of $20,000 a year through bonuses, cheaper housing, and other amenities.
Those who are new to the housing market, most notably Gen Z, are among the most mobile of Americans, with data from LendingTree and StorageCafe showing many are moving to the Great Plains and Mountain West for lower costs and “simpler living.”
As for the cities offering cash, Tulsa, Oklahoma, was among the first to begin its incentive program, offering remote workers and entrepreneurs who move to the city $10,000.
Applicants looking to take advantage of the deal must be at least 18 years old, have lived outside of the state for at least a year prior, and relocate to Tulsa within 12 months of having their application approved.
As of December 2022, more than 2,900 new residents have taken advantage of the program, CNN reported.
Americans who move to Topeka, Kansas, can take advantage of the Choose Topeka program, which offers incentives valued up to $15,000, as well as access to housing and employment programs.
The program has so far been successful, with over 6,000 people applying and nearly 150 new residents moving to the area.
The Shoals, Alabama, is offering remote workers who relocated up to $10,000 to relocate through its Remote Shoals program.
To qualify for the program, applicants must be self-employed or a full-time remote employee who makes more than $52,000 annually and relocate to the area within six months. So far, over 2,300 applicants from all 50 states have applied for the program.
Rochester, New York, also has its own program that will offer $10,000 in grants and incentives to remote workers who apply for the Greater ROC Remote program.
To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have lived more than 300 miles from downtown Rochester or in any other state except New York, and work a fully remote job.
Among the states offering incentives, West Virginia is offering a relocation package worth more than $20,000; Indiana has a package worth up to $15,000; and Kentucky is offering around $5,000 worth of incentives.